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