The Book of Lies

metaphorsand symbols Mr. Crowley has fashioned his mysticism, we do not stop to determine. Its importance to himis immense; it is the hinge of his whole thought. To us, its importance is simply that it carries him ofteninto excellent poetry. The main intellectual passions which move him will be familiar to all who have studied writers tinged or impregnated with mystical and transcendental thought... “Fnoug h has been said to show that Mr. Crowley's ‘Ambergris ’ is a volume containing notable poetry.”—Wation. “The most interesting volume of new English verse seen this year.” —Evening Post. “, Thereis life and vigour and realityin it, and a personality sincerely expressed in spite of what appears to be wilful eccentricities.” —Book- man. The Winged Beetle. ros. A collection of lyrical poems. ‘In the face of the whole horde of reviewers, critics, and in the face of the British public,I declare that Aleister Crowleyis among the first of living poets. It will not be many years before this factis generally recognized and duly appreciated. ‘Rosa Coeli’ and ‘Rosa Decidua ’ are two mag- nificent poems. The latteris ‘no tragedy of little tears,’ but the utterance of a god-like grief. ‘ The Priestess of Panormita’ is an extremely fine work of art; the right of selection has been exercised to the utmost, there are no superfluous words, no vague images, everything iis precise, clear-cut, and strong. ‘Bathyllus’ is a beautiful poem;... ‘The Ladder’ is a fine lyric describing the ascen- sion up the middle pillar of the Tree of Life, from Malkuth to Kether. ‘Telepathy,’ ‘The Opium Smoker,’ ‘ The Muse,’ are all poems which will grip and hold the soul of the reader. “What is not least remarkable in Crowley’s poetry is his amazing variety. In some respects he is not unlike William Blake, but he is free from Blake’s metrical deficiencies whilst retaining all the 127