"*7*
`The Crystal' abounds in such happy characterizations.
--
*1* See Dowden's `Studies in Literature', pp. 468-523.
*2* See Symonds's `Walt Whitman: A Study'. London, 1893.
*3* Ward's `Memorial', p. xxxviii.
*4* `The Crystal', ll. 66-70.
*5* Ibid., ll. 87-90.
*6* Ibid., ll. 93-94.
*7* Ibid., ll. 95-97.
--
IV. Lanier's Poetry: Its Style
So much for the poet's thoughts; what shall we say of their expression?
In other words, is Lanier the literary artist equal to Lanier the seer?
In order the better to answer this question, let us begin at the beginning,
with the elements of style, some of which, however, I pass by
as not calling for special comment.
Of Lanier's felicitous choice of words we have already had
incidental illustration; but it is desirable, perhaps, to group here
a few of his happiest phrases, to show that, as Lowell*1* said,
he is "a man of genius with a rare gift for the happy word."
Notice this speech about the brook:
"And down the hollow from a ferny nook
`Lull' sings a little brook!"*2*
and this of the well-bucket:
"The rattling bucket plumps
Souse down the well;"*3*
and this of the outburst of a bird:
"Dumb woods, have ye uttered a bird?"*4*
and the description of a mocking-bird as
"Yon trim Shakspere on the tree;"*5*
and of midnight as
"Death's and truth's unlocking time.
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