
This eBook was produced by Les Bowler, St. Ives, Dorset.
A thoughtful introduction invites listeners into a meditation on poetic form, where the author explains the art of “catalectic verse”—a rhythm that pauses and breathes with the intensity of feeling. By outlining the rules that govern this seemingly free‑flowing meter, the preface offers both a gentle lesson in verse and a glimpse of the poet’s reverence for tradition, from Drummond to the modern day. This sets the stage for a collection that balances scholarly insight with the raw impulse of emotion.
The opening poem then launches into a vivid, almost prophetic dialogue about love, truth, and the human voice. Its language swirls through questions of wisdom, sacrifice, and the unseen currents that shape our hearts, all rendered in a rich, musical cadence. Listeners will be drawn into a world where every line pulses with the three‑stranded ray of passion—red wrath, golden compassion, and azure delight—inviting contemplation long after the verse fades.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (118K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Oct 7, 2004
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1823–1896
A major Victorian poet and critic, he is best known for The Angel in the House, the work that helped define — and later provoke debate about — the era’s ideal of marriage. His later poetry turned more mystical and intense, especially in The Unknown Eros.
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