The Collected Works in Verse and Prose of William Butler Yeats, Vol. 7 (of 8) The Secret Rose. Rosa Alchemica. The Tables of the Law. The Adoration of the Magi. John Sherman and Dhoya

This volume gathers several of the poet’s most enigmatic verses and short prose sketches, all orbiting a single concern: the clash between spiritual yearning and the ordinary world. The language moves from mythic allusion to intimate confession, weaving Celtic legends, alchemical symbolism, and personal reflection into a tapestry that invites listeners to linger on each image. The opening dedication already hints at a deep, almost ritualistic devotion to the hidden “rose,” setting a tone of quiet reverence that runs through the whole collection.

Among the pieces, “The Secret Rose” and “Rosa Alchemica” explore the quest for an unattainable beauty through rich, layered metaphor. “The Tables of the Law” offers a series of contemplative maxims, while “The Adoration of the Magi” presents a tender, almost liturgical meditation on reverence. The narrative of John Sherman and Dhoya follows two wandering figures caught between love and loss, and the opening of “The Crucifixion of the Outcast” introduces Cumhal, a roving gleeman whose restless journey across Sligo hints at larger questions of identity and destiny. Each work stands alone yet resonates with the others, creating a thoughtful listening experience that balances mysticism with grounded storytelling.