Evening star., 1926-02-01

Today we take up Percy Bysshe
Shelley.
1t is always too bad when a man
has to struggle through life against
the handicap of such a first name
and when 1t is combined with such
an unusual second one, the odds are
almost too much.
Maybe this accounts for the fact
that Shelley, one of the greatest of
poets, met the scorn OF his own gen
Grafton as All atheist and infideI and
what-not.
The personal habits of the man do
not interest us SO much today as his
poetry. which. now as always. and
seemingly ever. stands in the very
forefront of all such writing.
There is no nation that would not
be glad to claim the genius of
Shelley.
His was an almost unmatched
faculty of combining thought with
music in words. Much has been made
OF somewhat similar gift. that Of
putting thought into the music de-
noted by symbols we call notes.
This latter exercise of talent is seen
at its height in the sublime music
OF Beethoven, notably i'll his great
symphonies. where we are told that
great depth of feeling and intelii-
gence are served UP to us in pleasant
sounds.
one may be forgiven for not heing
altogether willing To admit that
inusical compositions. in themselves.
contain any intelligence, per Sc. That
Their composition shows a great in
telligence of certain kind is undis-
ruted. but that the works themSelI Us
Will bring forward in others mental
activities corresponding is but some
more Of the bunk that has been
written about music.
All of us have heard concerts in
when the orchestra played - com
position which, the program told Us,
re presented three trees III desert,
the arrival of a caravan. the unfold =
ing OF the tents. supper, smoking of
pipes. conversation. the SnoreS of
Sleepers and finally the waving of the
three palm trees.
This is our idea of nonsense If We
had not read the program story of
what the music was supposed 10
tell US. We could equally we'll
picture to ourselves the repose of
three crullers in an old blue crock.
the arrival of the boys. the scramble
of four youngsters for three duu- III =
nuts. supper. repose and finally the
digestion of the three crulle.s.
4: < y
In Such poetry as that written by
Shelley, however, there is no question
whatever Of the combination of
thought with music
His lines sing. If written words ever
do, and sing seuSibly.
lie is the father Of Swinburne. on
the one hand. and OF all the tribe of
free verse poets, on the other, AS
strange as the juXtaposition may
seem.
The latter have been influenced as
much, although they perhaps will no,
admit il, 10y the perfect rhythm. the
cool, clean flow of this really great
poet. as have ever the ayowed imi-
tators of his inimitable style
Shelley had a style
If style is the man. as Button said
perhaps as good definition as can
be secured), Shelley. judged solely by
his productions. was a beautiful, lyric
soul
He was an ardent seeker after truth.
even if he did not always find il. a
not unusual sequel.
His longer poems may not show
exceptional genius. but his lyrics tin
cluding the elegy. 'AionaisD are not
eXcelled in any language.
Where. in the range OF English
poetry. will one find anything better
than Lines Written Among the Eu-
Eanean hills, "Ode to Naples" Lines
Written in Detection" ode to the
West Wind" "Adonais, THE Sensi-
tive Plant" ode to a Skylark." The
Cloud?
These are the productions Of the