The Andrew Lang Library

In which gentle musings unfold in a tapestry of poetry, from the tender blush of a garden’s fruit to the solemn and stirring reflections on love, memory, and fate, all touched by the soft light of evening and the whisper of the sea. Herein, voices both ancient and new conjure scenes of nature, war, and the human heart’s quiet yearnings, presenting a chorus of song and sentiment that reverberates t...

In which bold Allen-a-Dale, though without lands or title, commands respect and romance with an indomitable spirit, while spectral armies and mighty music reveal hidden depths of human emotion and imagination. Various poetic visions, from pastoral love to enchanted domes and joyful mirth, invite the reader into realms both melancholic and merry, where nature, myth, and melody intertwine with timel...

In which a variety of poems unfold, ranging from wistful laments and tender loves to stirring calls to arms and contemplations on nature’s fleeting beauty, each suffused with a gentle melancholy or noble intent. Among these verses, the voices of ancient corbies, warlike clans, solitary reapers, and timeless lovers murmur softly, inviting reflection on life’s transience and the heart’s enduring pas...

In which voices from the past and spirit-haunted places mingle in song and verse, telling tales of love, loss, and spectral visitations that hover between the mortal world and the uncanny. These poems and ballads evoke a time when the borderlands whispered of sorrow and valor, and the quiet valleys and hillocks bore witness to both tender farewell and haunting unrest.

In which tender verses celebrate the steadfast loyalty and affectionate vigour of a dog who watches faithfully beside a sickbed, while rustic ballads and stirring songs evoke the wild greenwood, the pangs of love and loss, and the heroic calls of Scottish history. The collection gently carries the reader through a sequence of heartfelt emotions, from wistful farewells and sweet melodies to the sol...

In which the stirring and sometimes whimsical verses recount tales of soldiers' dreams, gallant adventures, solemn battles, and the simple, honest lives of village folk, evoking scenes both heroic and tender. These poems paint a vivid landscape of human experience that ranges from the thunder of naval warfare to the quiet loyalty of a faithful dog beside a gentle river.

In which the editor gently unfolds the purpose and spirit of a carefully chosen collection of poems, reflecting on the rich predominance of Northern ballads and the youthful delight in verse that evokes adventure, beauty, and the unfathomable world of childhood imagination. He muses on the delicate balance between simplicity and depth in poetry for the young, urging a tender respect for their capa...

In which we are gently invited into a variety of pastoral and stirring scenes, from the joyous echo of children's laughter upon the green to the solemn reflection on nature and innocence encapsulated in tender laments and lively ballads. The verses, rich with imagery of moorlands, midnight angels, and the spirited chase, entwine the innocence of childhood with wartime courage and the delicate beau...

In which a marvellous musician seeks companionship in the woods and cleverly ensnares a wolf, a fox, and a little hare who wish to learn his craft, only to find their freed and vengeful company later. Eventually, a poor woodman becomes the musician's desired companion, whose human presence puts the wild beasts to flight.

In which the valiant Sigurd, heir to a broken sword and a legacy of ancient grudges, sets forth on a perilous quest to confront a fearsome dragon and unearth a treasure steeped in dark curses. Along the way, he encounters enchanted maidens and tangled vows, revealing a world where love and loyalty are tested by magic and fate.

In which three brothers set out to watch the King’s seven elusive foals, each facing a peculiar challenge involving a spinning old woman before the youngest, Cinderlad, takes a determined and unusual path that leads him far beyond the ordinary trials of his siblings. Along the way, the tale softly unfolds through strange encounters and quiet wonders, promising enchantments hidden beneath the surfa...

In which a princess named Snowdrop, as fair as the purest snow and as red as the freshest blood, escapes the jealousy of her wicked stepmother to find refuge with seven kindly dwarfs who warn her against any strangers. The tale unfolds with enchanting visits from disguised enchantresses, mysterious dangers, and the steadfast loyalty of those who protect her, all woven into a delicate suspense abou...

In which a simple young man named Dullhead, mocked by his family, shows kindness to a mysterious old man and discovers a magical golden goose, setting off a curious chain of events involving enchanted visitors and the laughter of a solemn princess. Through trials set by a reluctant king, Dullhead’s good heart and the help of his unusual companions lead to a most unexpected happy ending.

In which a kindly and patient young woman, oppressed by her cruel stepmother and stepsister, encounters magical heads that bestow upon her wondrous gifts despite her hardships, while her devoted brother serves unknowingly in a king’s palace. The tale unfolds with enchantments and trials, culminating in a mysterious and heartfelt arrival at the palace that challenges appearances and reveals true wo...

In which a ragged little boy named Minnikin embarks from a poor hut to seek his fortune, gaining magical gifts through cunning, and courageously confronts three fearsome Trolls to rescue a Princess under their dreadful threat. With the help of his twin brother King Pippin and the wise contrivance of a disguised meeting, Minnikin resolves the royal dilemma, culminating in a double wedding that brin...

In which a diligent girl, through misfortune and kindness, finds herself in a wondrous realm where she serves the mysterious Mother Holle and is richly rewarded for her industry and good nature. Meanwhile, her idle stepsister meets a most different fate when she attempts the same journey with far less virtue.

In which a proud and cruel lord sets an impossible task upon a humble spinner betrothed to a wood-cutter, weaving nettles into bridal shifts under threat of death, while the steadfast girl perseveres despite perilous opposition. Amidst weaving and waiting, forgiveness and resolve entwine, casting a delicate light upon pride, endurance, and the quiet strength found in tending to heart and honour.

In which a determined father sets out to find his lost son, apprenticed to the mysterious and powerful Farmer Weatherbeard, and encounters three peculiar sisters with dominion over beasts, fish, and birds before an eagle guides him to a daring rescue. The tale unfolds with magical transformations, clever escapes, and the cunning intervention of a princess, weaving a whimsical adventure of mastery...

In which a longing for a rare garden herb leads to a fateful promise and the birth of a beautiful child named Rapunzel, who is confined in a tower by a powerful witch. A prince enchanted by Rapunzel’s singing discovers her secret and devises a plan, setting in motion a tale of love, sorrow, and eventual reunion.

In which a princess bravely seeks out her twelve brothers who once fled into the forest to escape a grim fate, and upon finding them, faces a harsh enchantment that transforms them into ravens. She then endures a long and silent trial to break the spell, during which she gains the love of a king despite cruel accusations, leading to a happy and just resolution.

In which a young prince named Désiré, unlike his corpulent father Lord Tubby, sets forth on a quest to find a wife of golden skin, guided by a dream and aided by a mysterious old man, leading him through a perilous forest and a magical orange grove. Along the way, he encounters transformation, enchantments, and a beguiling princess named Zizi, whose strange plight entwines their fates and challeng...

In which a young man, having inherited twelve mares and a remarkable dapple-grey colt, sets out to win a princess long held by a Troll, aided by the wondrous strength and speed of his extraordinary horse, Dapplegrim. Together they overcome impossible odds and trials imposed by a suspicious king, leading to a series of adventures that test courage, wit, and loyalty.

In which a little girl named Blanchette, known as Little Golden-hood for her magical golden hood, embarks on a journey through the woods to visit her grandmother, encountering a cunning Wolf who seeks to deceive her. The tale unfolds with unexpected twists that reveal the true nature of courage and magic in the face of danger.

In which a kind-hearted but physically unfortunate prince is imprisoned by his severe father and discovers a magical cabinet that leads him to a series of enchantments involving a sleeping lady and a golden branch. Meanwhile, a similarly afflicted princess faces her own trials and transformations before both embark on a quest filled with fairy-tale wonders and eventual restoration.

In which a kind-hearted girl, mistreated by her envious stepmother and stepsister, finds unexpected friendship and magical gifts from three little dwarfs during a harsh winter. Her beauty and goodness ultimately lead to a royal marriage and the eventual downfall of her wicked foes.