To The Sea: Thirty Two Poems from Godey's Lady's Book

Godey's Lady's Book, begun in 1830 and edited after 1836 by Sarah Josepha Hale, was one of the most popular magazines in nineteenth century America reaching every state and territory. Reading its poetry, authored by both amateurs and professionals, allows us to share in the emotional and intellectual experiences of these Americans in a unique way. This volume contains thirty two poems about the sea and its role in nineteenth century life. Twenty six are from Godey’s and six are from Hale’s earlier publication, the Ladies’ Magazine (1829-1836).

The nineteenth century was still the age of sail; ships not only crossed the globe but also served much of the country’s population by transporting a wide variety of commercial goods and passengers. Port cities (large and small) up and down the east coast carried on lively domestic and foreign trade, and much of the nation’s population lived near the coasts. Death at sea was a real possibility, and in some areas coastal residents not infrequently found bodies of unknown men and women washed up on shore. Saying goodbye to a loved one at the start of a voyage came with the recognition that the voyager might not return. It was natural to express one’s relationship with the ocean in poetry; the sea was, and still is, a powerful and awe inspiring force of nature.

The Godey’s Poetry series is made up of 18 volumes based on a variety of themes. In addition to this volume, you might be interested in:

Awakening: Fifteen poems of Spring and Summer
Retreat: Fourteen Autumn and Winter poems
Nightfall to Dawn: Twenty One poems
To the Rain: Twenty Two poems
To the Sea: Thirty One poems
Love: Thirty Four poems
Love’s Endings: Thirty Two poems
Of Thoughts Sublime: Thirty Eight Sonnets
In the Time of Mourning: Thirty Three poems of Grief and Loss
Death and Remembrance: Thirty Four poems
Alone and Weary: Twenty Five poems of Sadness and Hope
Indians’ Lament: Twenty Two poems on Native Americans
Temperance: Seventeen poems on the dangers of drink
Unfurl the Banner, Strew the Flowers: Twelve poems of the Civil War and its Aftermath
America: Thirty Six poems of the New Nation
1828-1831: An Album. Thirty Four poems
Life: Thirty Three casual poems and light verse
Honoring the Muse: Twenty One poems on Poetry and Poets

A final volume focuses on the poetry in Hale’s Boston-based Ladies’ Magazine. “Cherishing the Sacred Fire” presents 100 poems from the Ladies’ Magazine (1828-1836), about 45 of which are included in various collections above. This volume has in-depth Introduction that looks at Hale as an editor and her philosophies on poetry.