John Matthews, a leading authority on Celtic lore and a New York Times bestselling author, has compiled an inspirational, beautifully presented collection of poetry. From the earliest times, the language-loving Celts revered their bards: they established a poetic tradition beginning in the 6th century with the intricate magical verse of Taliesin. It continued in the rich medieval works of Dafydd ap Gwilym and Rhys Goch, and stayed strong in the 19th and 20th centuries with Gerald Manley Hopkins, and writers such as R.J. Stewart, Robin Williamson and Catherine Fisher. Matthews has chosen the finest works by these poets, and translated many of the oldest for this volume. His selection reflects the uniquely Celtic love of nature, history, myth, magic, and spirituality.