The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25

but that is not all of poetry. If he had
not done fine work before this. the
present collection would pass un-
noticed, but at best it is pot boiler.
The author too, spoils many of his
poems by obscurity of idea. a fault
very prevalent among the poets of this
century. The poem Mary of Naz-
arethp is an example of this fault at
its worst. The second stanza is quoted:
/ dared--thy poor hand naiden--
Not ask prophet child;
Only a boy babe laden
For earth--and mild.
The paper wrapper tells us that this
poetry is early work by Mr.. Rice. but
that Is not an excuse, for it has been
revised and one gathers from that
that he approves of the work as it
stands. 1t is not worthy of him and
though the volume contains some good
things, 1T will not as a whole add to
his fame. Doubleday. Page & Co.,
Garden City, N. Y.)
The less said about Lavender and
Other Verse the better 1t is a vol
ume of poetry by our former mayor.
Edward Robson Taylor, which Paul
Elder has published in most magnifi-
cent fashion (thereby emphasizing the
defects and lack of quality in the
work.. Doctor Taylor once made some
Heredia, and on the strength of that
he is a poet. He writes lines which
sean correctly, but which are quite
bare of thought and are tricked out
with meaningless adjectiyes. Every
time the author has put his pen to
paper since the Heredia translations
he has injured his reputation as poet.
Theodosia Garrison, author Of THE
Earth Cry" deserves a whole column
fn nd on
it not for the Christmas rush. She is
a real poet, for she has a poets soul.
She often shows faults in technique but
never for moment can we detect a
false note. never an affectation- of emo
tion, always simplicity and earnest
ness mark her work, and 1t is filled
with beauty .'The Voice of Love-
The Unrepentant," !" Time" The Send
ing,n THE Ballad OF the Angel" The
Wife" YOUTH THE Ballad of the
Comforting,''y "A Prayer Pan" Two
Creeds." and many others are real
poems. One is chosen to quote attire,
which makes one think the author is
a reincarnation of an earlier age, for
it does not read like the twentieth
century. 1t is entitled Tho Ballad Of
the Saint" and comment Is unneces-
sary:
The little cherubs whispered
What strange new soul Is this
Who cometh with a robe besmirohed
Unto the place of blissg''
Then spoke the eldest angel,
'THc robe he wears is fair
The gropng fingers of the poor
Have held and blessed him there"
The little cherubs whispered
who comes 10 be our guest
With dust about his garments hem
And stains about his breast7''
Then snake the eldest angel,
Most lovely Is the stain
The tears of those he comforted.
Who may not weep again.
The little cherubs whispered,
What strange new soul is he
Who cometh with a burden here
And bears II tenderiyf "
Then spake the eldest angel
she bears his lfes award
The burden Of mems broken hearts
TO place before the Lord.
ssThe dust upon his garments hem
MY life shall bow to 1t;
The status upon the breast or him
Are gems thrice exquisite.
o. little foolish cherubs,
What truth N this We miss
There comes no saint 10 paradise
Who cometh not like this'"
Many OF the poems from this volume
fairly clamor. for quotation, but space
forbids. The book is recommended to
all lovers OF poetry and will convert