Verses
Jul 2021 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
224
Pages
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About this ebook
Excerpt: "A poet may write pleasingly about mountains, and cyclones, and battles, and the love of woman, but if he is at all timid about the verdict of posterity he should avoid the theme of childhood as he would avoid the plague. For only great poets can write about childhood poems worthy to be printed. Hilaire Belloc has written poems about children, and they are worthy to be printed. He is never ironic when he thinks about childhood; he is gay, whimsical, with a slight suggestion of elfin cynicism, but he is direct, as a child is direct. He has written two dedicatory poems for books to be given to children; they are slight things but they are a revelation of their author's power to do what only a very few poets can do, that is, to enter into the heart and mind of the child, following that advice which has its literary as well as moral significance, to "become as a little child." And in many of Hilaire Belloc's poems by no[xxv] means intended for childish audiences there is an appealing simplicity that is genuinely and beautifully childish, something quite different from the adult and highly artificial simplicity of Professor A. E. Housman's A Shropshire Lad. Take that quatrain The Early Morning. It is as clear and cool as the time it celebrates; it is absolutely destitute of rhetorical indulgence, poetical inversions or "literary" phrasing. It is, in fact, conversation—inspired conversation, which is poetry. It might have been written by a Wordsworth not painfully self-conscious, or by a Blake whose brain was not as yet muddled with impressionistic metaphysics."
About the author
Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953) was a Franco-English writer, historian, and political activist whose prolific output and sharp wit left an indelible mark on early 20th-century literature and thought. Born in France and educated at Oxford, Belloc's dual heritage infused his work with a unique perspective on European culture and politics. He is best known for his satirical verse, historical works, and essays that often critiqued the societal norms of his time.Belloc's literary career was marked by his close association with G.K. Chesterton, with whom he formed the "Chesterbelloc" duo, advocating for Distributism—a socio-economic theory promoting widespread property ownership as a counter to both capitalism and socialism. His biting critiques of British imperialism and the financial sector resonated with many, though they also sparked significant controversy.A devout Catholic, Belloc's faith deeply influenced his writing, leading him to champion traditionalist views in an era of rapid modernization. His historical works, such as "The Great Heresies" and "Europe and the Faith," sought to defend and elucidate the Catholic Church's role in shaping Western civilization.Belloc's influence extended to contemporary writers and thinkers, including George Orwell and Evelyn Waugh, who admired his incisive prose and fearless commentary. Despite facing criticism for his often polemical style and controversial opinions, Belloc remains a compelling figure whose work continues to provoke thought and debate.In an age where the clash between tradition and progress is ever-relevant, Belloc's life and writings offer a fascinating lens through which to explore the complexities of modernity.
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