Sri Aurobindo's principal work of literary criticism where he outlines the history of English poetry and explores the possibility of a spiritual poetry in the future.
On Poetry
Sri Aurobindo's principal work of literary criticism. In this work, Sri Aurobindo outlines the history of English poetry and explores the possibility of a spiritual poetry in the future. It was first published in a series of essays between 1917 and 1920; parts were later revised for publication as a book.
THEME/S
Sapphics. But the second-foot spondee is very usually replaced by a trochee, the final trochee sometimes by a spondee; an antibacchius, cretic or molossus can replace the dactyl. In the fifteenth line elision is used; in a sapphic line there can be only one dactyl.
A draft of the poem "Descent".
All my cells thrill swept by a surge of splendour, Soul and body stir with a mighty rapture, Light and still more light like an ocean billows Over me, round me.
Rigid, stonelike, fixed like a hill or statue, Vast my body feels and upbears the world's weight; Dire the large descent of the Godhead enters Limbs that are mortal.
Voiceless, thronged, Infinity crowds upon me; Presses down a glory of power eternal; Mind and heart grow one with the cosmic wideness; Stilled are earth's murmurs.
Swiftly, swiftly crossing the golden spaces Knowledge leaps, a torrent of rapid lightnings; Thoughts that left the Ineffable's flaming mansions, Blaze in my spirit.
Slow the heart-beats' rhythm like a giant hammer's; Missioned voices drive to me from God's doorway Words that live not save upon Nature's summits, Ecstasy's chariots.
All the world is changed to a single oneness; Souls undying, infinite forces, meeting, Join in God-dance weaving a seamless Nature, Rhythm of the Deathless.
Page 377
Mind and heart and body, one harp of being, Cry that anthem, finding the notes eternal,— Light and might and bliss and immortal wisdom Clasping for ever.
Page 378
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