1. Before turning to the very different kind of poetry given in Part II of this book, you should take a backward look at the four types of narrative poetry discussed in Part I. Why are all these classed as narrative poetry? 2. Do you think you will be able to distinguish a metrical tale from a great epic, a metrical romance, and a ballad? What is the bond of relationship which classes them together? 3. Which one of these types were you most interested in? Why? 4. Which is the greatest of these types? 5. How did the central character of a tale differ, for the most part, from that of a metrical romance? A great epic? PART TWO-LYRIC POETRY Characteristics of Lyric Poetry.-Lyric poetry is the utterance of the human heart in poetic form. It usually expresses the author's own experiences, moods, reflections, and emotions in musical language. The prose form most nearly like a lyric poem is the essay. In both we are conscious of the standpoint of the author himself and are looking at life through his eyes. In dramatic and narrative poetry, on the other hand, we forget all about the author and are interested more in the action, story, or thing portrayed than in anything else. Sometimes we find both narrative and lyric elements in the same poem, as for instance in "The Cotter's Saturday Night." They are usually separated, however. In the lyric the author seems to be singing to himself. We hear notes of love, hope, grief, despair, joy, patriotism, aspiration, devotion, fear, lamentation, exultation,-indeed all the feelings of the soul. As some one has expressed it, "Though we hear an oration, we seem to overhear a lyric poem." The lyric derives its name from the musical instrument, the lyre, and was primarily intended to be sung. Not all lyrics are singable, although they are all melodious. A great lyric must be sincere, spontaneous, and express strong emotion. It is usually very short, although not necessarily so. The Psalms of King David are the greatest lyrics in the literature of the world. Those beginning "The Lord is my Shepherd," and "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills," are especially fine. 2 Classes of Lyric Poetry.-Lyric poetry is divided into five types: the ode, the sonnet, the elegy, the song-sacred and secular, and the simple lyric. 1 Psalm XXIII. 2 Psalm CXXI. CHAPTER I THE ODE Characteristics of the Ode.-The ode is the most exalted form of lyric poetry. The theme is always a noble one and the emotion is high and of great dignity. It may express enthusiasm, lofty praise of some person or thing, deep reflection, or restrained feeling. The ode has been used especially by the poets laureate of England in commemorating great public events. Because of its majestic qualities, the ode is difficult to write and is thus less frequently found than the other lyric types. In structure the ode is usually very irregular, although there are exceptions. The verse length often varies from one to eight feet, and the stanzas are long or short according to the nature of the thought expressed. Some Examples of the Ode.-Although the ode is an old form of poetry, dating back to the time of Pindar in ancient Greece, it was produced in England in greater numbers during the nineteenth century than in any other period. Probably the finest ode in our language is Milton's "On the Morning of Christ's Nativity," written in 1629. Next to this, Wordsworth's "Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood" (1807) is usually given the highest place. The other great writers of this lyric form. are Dryden, Collins, Gray, Shelley, and Keats. ALEXANDER'S FEAST: OR THE POWER OF MUSIC A SONG IN HONOR OF ST. CECILIA'S DAY John Dryden, 1697 'Twas at the royal feast for Persia won By Philip's warlike son. Aloft in awful state The godlike hero sate On his imperial throne; His valiant peers were placed around, Their brows with roses and with myrtles bound; S |