New-York tribune., 1873-01-28
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
wPIGHTS POEMS.

WRIGHTS POEMS.
s1IE BROOK AND OTHER POEMS. By WILLIAM y.
wRIGmr I2mo PIP. l67 scribner. Armstrong, Co.'S
The purely imaginative power betrayed in the
ehief poem of this volume not only gives rare ear
nest Of future excellence, but at once legitmates
the place Of the writer among the few genuine slng
err Of the day. II is not the production of reflection
or of imitation hut of true creative fancy. The
anthors name not familiar TO our memory, and we
know not the influences which have inspired his heart
with 80 devoUt passion for Nature, and moideu
his rhyme into forms of such subtle decacy anu
grace; hut no mistake the presence oi 'i9
loving soul. the plastic eve. and the cunning i'nu
which have woven beauteous wreath Oh P'.Ss
from the commoneSt materials of rnral nle ~
comes before MS not the rude, pIa"nS ei,4
from the woods fineng around the trophies oi s"nO
larbaric strength with defiant lavlShneSs Oh gi'' |
hut a. the man Of gentle ana gracious cu''uio'
sonversant with the great masters VI 9o"s'
informed with the wealth "t leteleu A"o"
.dre and studions Of artistic elect IN lhe chooo "
.,,,.s;,c. but crowning all with the high spOnta-
Moons faculty that evOkeS fresh conceptions Hou"
t.u.lisr scenes and mterprets the ancient sngges-
tions Of Nature by living images which give inen'
new voice and deeper significance. In form ana |
rhythm Mr Wright not uufrequently recalls Ha- |
,r.ut retniniscence of Emcrsons peculiar art, nor
lss he failed to appropriate breath OF the exquisite
grace Of Niltons lesser poems, with an occasioha
,ho merriam, unconscious of the sweet melodies of
The two chief German masters sbut still his poetry
bears too deep stamp of individuality 10 De uaceu
10 any other source than the secret GIFT OF Nature
which inspires the purpose and furnishes the power
10 build the lofty rhyme
The rocln which has called forth our remarks,
although free from the formal and strained ingenuity
OF aIegorical verse, is not without "a symbolic ex-
preston limiting al the progressive ages OF human
life and portrayiug some of the most characteristic
aspects Of human experience We are hrst lntro-
suced 70 the Brook as the q" sweetest truant ut
HE play" stirred in his merry gambols by the sonl
of laughter
Woods and rocks, that loved him. round him.
Aud the brakes tWined eri'ad.
Tie next inquiry OF the poet relates to the birth
place of the elfn child whose mystic genesis is thus
described
Prom the mountains stubborn womb,
See. he spriugs, newborn creature.
Clothed with grace and Of Immortal feature.
From It's 1ail OF eldest gloom
And druUkeu WITH his goodly liberty,
Roups and risks the heavenly cnild;
AND q meteor Wild.
Hr bright har flung IN flashing trail
Backward from his forehead pale
gIptOe upon nimble feet
lie visits and he quits the sight,
Al appariton fair and feet
sbaped Of wonder aud pure delight.
q iOy that from a thing 80 dark
There could be struck so bright spark!
OF HE, thatpficks ms heart with slee.
70 blitho. so rash, he cannot guess
What burdens gather 10 oppress,
what worldold wresters, staneh and grim,
Unlocks the tender JOINTS OF youth
The child among his ratues,
What though he not fOfehOde
The shock aud din OF battles
1hat wait INN on the road!
Suffice unto the happy ell
The wonders OF MS present sell.
What profit, though be knew that Iato
Already snuhed his track,
Yea, from behind his very back
Reached steaithy fingers 10 create
From the toys he breaks and idly scstters
Adamanuue links OF future fetters!
The future destiny of the Brook" is Swallowed
forth in a few teroe lines of dim prophecy He has
been lowered by the gods with sovereign offices
scepter ripeus for his hand. He has the germ of
linely power that Will cast its influence over many
lands His future is revealed in his nature.
what need has my sweet child Of wDgsl
lie can outtrip all adverse things.
See His silver sandal nash
80 cunning wise, though seemingrash
s. s0fi 10 glide so quick 10 MT
What force can bind or lntermit.
The motions OF hls flowing Wit
II his mystic pace does uweh i
Al the speed Of Neptunes SHELL
All the stealth OF mercury's heel,
ire OF PhUbus wheel.
I.auguors dun or grosser sl9nber
Never stay his rampug limb:
The gods gave all thtlt gayCty
FiaymaJes has he without number
And oh the JOY u Is 10 see
Their games OF utter iOlity
The graceful grapples the pettish quarrels
with careless I'cdiS ana bllthcst CdtOlc
OF hie hthe athletic Iranks
scale the rampant OF his banks.
Nov De hecks with wanton spurt
The thlcket's dOwcT-br0idercd SKIRT;
Now with light malicious dart
Tie elbows all the sleepy sedges;
Cuarrying with >plcenful art,
Caverns all his crumbling edges;
Now hs clear thews plump and strain,
A. with tug and lsht ana man
he wrestles with tile bulky ledges,
VINO with thievish foot thrust out
TIP bnn headlong from his route.
Bui no bOisterOus hap OF rude
tau repress his ninble mood.
NaugDlslCd. ne wears the VlctOrS crown,
Aud. often thrown Is never down.
MY ~ dash him side-wise from the hight
tuInc god has taught him this fine sleight-
He VIII upon his feet alight
The first misfortune of the Brook" was his un-
Euccessful wooing of the Lily" to whom he makes
love with an ardor scarcely TO be predicted of a
being whose veins ran with cold water instead Of
blood.
O cunning baby PrOteus,
Iny discourse with amorous art:
Aptly Cauet thou telgn the lover,
And the sickness OF the heart
Hark in the emhowered land
Some courtly knight his dame Is wooing;
Polished the accents full and bland,
Her lily favor proudly SUNG.
Low he bows his lofty state
10 offer up the burning prayer
And, Ike "a broken pOme granate,
The fragrant sOfi OF love is there.
Now the multitudinous vows
Chase each other from his lips,
Thick as meath his lady's brOws
Clean the gOldenpOlnted ldshes,
A. the Tefuent blush that dips
hOmently her cheek III flashes.
Thus the Lily hears him pray:
"Qmt. O faeTy queen, the dryDesB
Of thy peHsve solitude.
Ntt thou but fOTsaEe thy shyness
And take OF another mood,
Will scoop crescent bay,
Line tIOund with llk-sOft foam,
Fan II with CoOlrppling air:
10 Thy palace and thy home!
IOTud beam shall lot impair
The fine tiDet upon thy cheek,