New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-27
ARMENIAN POETS
An introduction to the Singers
of an Oppressed Race
Ar,lryIAN IpaENps An PoEMs Inu.LEaled

ARMENIAN LDGENDS AND POEMS. Illustrated
tion by he r. Hon. Viscount Bryce, ~. NJ and
contribution ON Armenia. IT. Epis. Io,k-
sous, and Medieval PG3etT{ 6S Asm nsm
Small 40. 20 xvi. 1876. J.. y. Dution TO-
ARMENIAN POEMS Rendered into English Verse
by Alice Stone Blackwell. l2mo. Pp iii go
Privately printed. Boston. Robert Chambers.
A mournful timeliness attaches to
the publication of these two volumes.
The plight Of the Armenians seems
darker than it has ever been before,
and daylight for what is left OF them
farther away. Lord Bryce makes a
plea for them in his introduction TO
Miss Boyajian's book. and she, as if IN
ironic answer, follows il with William
Watsons sonnet on Armenia in 1.-THE
Purple East"
Armenian poetry is worth knowing.
II contains much of beauty, of tender
ness and fortitude, of an Imagination
undimmed by age-long tragedy-it far
surpasses in merit the poetry Of Ru-
mania. with which we were so freely
made acquainted some years ago. 1t IS
of the East rather than of the West,
as is the art Of the compiler. Her
ILLUSTRATORS llluIllIablpis NNit VIZ
better word-show strong influences of
Persia and Byzantium. They are
beautifully reproduced in colors and
gold. mounted on gray cardboard, and
make the book a handsome one in
deed. Mr.. Rafii's historical and literary
postscript adds to its value.
The selection is a comprehensive one
cradle songs, love songs, songs Of
patriotism, epic fragments, all are rep
resented. The shadow Of horror lies
on many a stanza. Already in the first
half Of the fourteenth century Erik"
launched his "Reproaches":
o God of righteousness and truth,
Loving to all and full of ruth;
] have some matter for Thine ear
If Thou wilt but Thy servant hear.
10. how the world afflicteth US
With wrongs and torments rancorous;
And Thou dost pardon every one,
But turnest from our woes alone.
Lord, Thou wilt not avenge our wrong
Nor chase the ills that round US
throng;
Thou knowest we are flesh and bone,
We are not statues made from stonei
We are not made of grass or reeds,
That Thou consumest us like weeds -
As though we were some thorny field
Or brushwood, that the forests yield.
If that ourselves are nothing worth
If we have wrought no good on earth,
II we are hateful in Thy sight
That Thou shouldst leave us in this
plight
Then blot us ut;-be swift and brief,
That Thy pure heart may find relief;
This well may be. by Thy intent,
Great Lord and good, omnipotent.
One more quotation from this poetic
volume-Miss Boyajian's English rem
dering Of y. Kouchak's 80 Night, Be
Long;
o Night be long-long as an endless
year,
Descend, thick darkness, black and full
OF fearl
Tonight my hearts desire has been
fulfilled
My love is here at last-a guest con-
cealed!
Dawn, stand behind seven mountains
out OF sight,
Lest thou my loved one Danish with
thy light;
would forever thus in darkness rest
So might clasp him TO my breast.
Miss Blackwell's book was first pub
lished in 1896, and was. indeed, practi-
cally the first introduction to Armenian
poetry of the American reading public.
II was received with the enthusiasm
which it deserved, passed through two
editions, and is now reissued, with ad-
ditions, for the benefit Of the Armenian
relief fund. Miss Boyajian repeatedly
draws upon Miss Bleckwell's excellent
translations in her more elaborate
volume.