The poems are ordered chronologically according to their first appearance in book form. Thirteen new poems are included in this edition, with Pauline now printed in its entirety. Annotations have been revised throughout to clarify Browning's references and vocabulary.

"Criticism" retains the important contextual perspective of the First Edition. The twenty-three essays, nine of which are new, are divided into three sections: "Victorian Views," "Modern Essays in Criticism," and "Interpretations of Poems."

A Chronology, Selected Bibliography, and Index of Titles and First Lines are also included.