Oracles

5 and that the title-work is only one of many that the book contains. ‘ Jephthah ’ is, of course, a tragedy. ‘ The Five Kisses ’ comprises a series of lyrics of impassioned character, skilful technique, and real poetic frenzy, though they may, perhaps, ‘ prove nothing,’ and puzzle the mere utilitarian. ‘ A Sonnet of Blasphemy ’ may be given as an average specimen of our poet’s verse and sentiments:— ‘ Exalted over earth, from hell arisen, There sits a woman, ruddy with the flame Of men’s blood spilt, and her uncleanly shame, And the thrice-venemous vomit of her prison. She sits as one long dead ; infernal calm, Chill hatred, wrap her in their disdainly cold. She careth not, but doth disdainly hold Three scourges for man’s soul, that know no balm. They know not any cure. The first is Life, A well of poison. Sowing dust and dung Over men’s hearts, the second scourge, above All evil deeds, is Lying, from whose tongue Drops Envy, wed with Hatred to sow Strife. These twain are bitter. But the last is Love.’ There are many poems the titles of which we need not give. Nearly all seem to indicate that Mr Crowley is still in the thick of his passions ; the ferment is discernible to all who have passed that way. But there is good wine there ; he must be reckoned with. If he progresses, his will become a great name. If he has arrived at his limits we shall hear no more of him. But from the power and earnestness of the book before us we are inclined to favour his chances in the future. He has shown at least the foot of Hercules.” —Birmingham Gazette. The Mother’s Tragedy, etc. 5s. The two dramas in this volume are of a nature to freeze the blood in the veins of the most sanguine of mankind. Also a short collection of lyrics of great beauty and horror is contained. “ Mr Aleister Crowley is a poet who is apparently under the obsession of an esoteric view of life and human destiny. He endeavours to grapple with the dark problems which exercised the imagination of John Ford. He views the sexual problem from the standpoint of an unconventional student of human nature. His creed is a singular mixture of belief in Osiris and in Christ. The principal poem in his new volume is a powerful dramatic sketch