Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-04-18

w Wine of Wizardry' probably he
thought he had conjured up
fantastic string of imagery, with MS
dragons whirling in their gyre," and
all the other picturesque creatures OF
the poem, but new poet has appeared
with an assortment of lurid fancies that
make Mr.. Sterling's poor dragons look
like small pink lizards In comparison.
The poet is one Jean Louis De Esque,
and his book is called "Betelgeuse,
Trim Through He'll" 1t is printed by
the Connoisseurs' Press of Jersey CITY.
Jersey City has made several strong
bids for fame, with but moderate sue
cess, but its claim to distinction at iast
is firmly established. Nothing ike TINS
possibly could have come from any
other place.
De Quincy has immortalized the
dreams of the opium eater; the visions
following the absinthe frappe have been
fittingly wrought into song; the lotus
eaters have found a poet. and even the
after effects of onions have been cele-
brated In verse. Just what produced
"Betelgeuse" the poet does not state,
either in his preface or his poem.
NJ De Esque wisely waited until
certain vigorous foe of nature takers
had departed for Africa, before produc-
ing the book. 1t is shocking to think
of what might have happened II the
narrative of "mildewed screes," ''pois-
oned skinks," "faffling ghauts," gan
greI imps,' and red tongued geckos"
had fallen into the hands of Mr.. Roose-
yelt The poet shamelessly declares
that poisoned limbs" stung their VIC
Tins, when any one knows that limbs
cannot live even in the tropics. And
who ever heard of a ghaut-evidently
goat, because 1t rhymes with smot-
who ever heard of a ghaut continually
changing its color, like chameleon, the
way 1t does in M De Esque's poem?
And then he continually refers to the
ghauts as failing" 1t is absurd to
think of a ghaut allowing itself to be
caught failing. One line runs, Jar
bling gumps ride hydras green" While
this is a delicate bit of description, it is
a scientific fact that under no condi-
tions could gump ride green hydra.
Again. "Djinnee gasps add to the
sight" Any well informed person
knows that Djinnees never have been
known to gasp except in cold weather.
A line which probably will cause much
controversy among the critics is,
Where figent gawks sken at gnome."
At first plance 1t appears that there
are grounds upon which to differ with
the poet. The squidge frequently has
been known to sken, but instances are
extremely rare, if not ENTIRELY I'M
known. where this has been done by a
gawk. Especially by figent gawk.
On the other hand, there Is said to be a
well authenticated case of this, al
though 1t has not been established that
a gnome was the object of the sken-
ming. OF course some poetic license is
to be allowed in work of this kind
1t is to be hoped that the poet will
have ready an explanation before Col
onel Roosevelt returns from Africa.
The following is one of the strongest
and most original passages, although
there is suggestion of Mr.. Sterling in
1.-The leprouS moon:
And bleak dungeons dank with odours
Strong, within each encrusted gyre
MID treasure-vaults digged by gray age
Affrontng witches incense bufn;
And bowling ghouls cape thro vapours
Two Shilling vampires dance on Are
Each notified sage conquered page
To him whose hate no doom can turn
No bat-faced gnone can stem the blaze:
Hence gutches CHASTITY with giant sim
Chant runes to him in strobe gloom
AS hggums piled before the throne
Malignly mute, he peers thro' haze;
Internal paeons shake each inn
Blue lights 'twixt opals burn and bloom
In deep-hued haunts Of Typhon's home
The following is subtler, but less vivid
and tmpassioned in It's imagery:
When beacons urticate each eve
Noctivagous ghouls haste to stroke
Each goblin shank Of hoary sage.
Then pomp of gloom breaks into bloom
The temples arch cracks as we sigh
A clashng sound above that spoke
Blind wrath unto each wizards rage
Revealed the chasm of stark doom,
Unto peaks and gables black,
Syrian airs like Orpheus
Iull sequestered afrites to sleep,
A witch smites her high biforous-
A symbol OF King Typhons whack!
Where crystal lamps shine most glorious,
Twin legons lie in cajons bleak
Tokens of hell invidious!
What could be more entrancingly
beautiful and awe inspiring In it's ter
rible portent than a witch shifting her
high biforous"? And what but the in