He was, and herein lies his greatness and power, the symbol of pure humanity, splendid creative force in the weak vessel of his personality. He was a poet who in his works became one with the poetry of life, the sounds of the forest, the kiss of the wind, the rustling of the reeds and the voice of the dusk of evening. Humanly he was like us who love him. He was one of those who, no matter how great a chaos they have made of their own life, are yet inappeasable, and drink the stranger's pain and the stranger's bliss in the precious cup of glorious poetry. They manifold their being and their emotions because of a blind and uncreative yearning for the universal and infinity. ART POÉTIQUE No laws should rule by force or guile, But let your verse go singing soft, And in the solvent air aloft Find music, music all the while. Nor be too diffident in phrase, But let your song grow drunk with wine Where mystic unions vaguely shine In luminous and errant ways. Like veilèd eyes your song should be, Like noondays trembling in the sun, Like autumn dusks when days are done And stars and sky join secretly. Not vivid colors should adorn, But shades alone when dream to dream Is wed, and tender shadows gleam Like flute notes mingled with the horn. The "point" which slays and cruel wit, And smile impure you should despise, For like base garlic they arise To spoil the poem exquisite. Take eloquence and twist its neck! And sophist rhyming which would lead You headlong into sing-song speed 'Tis well for you to hold in check. Oh, who shall tell of evil rhyme! A trinket coin with hollow ring, A barbarous or childish thing Passed downward idly to our time. Music, music, evermore, The burden of your song should be, Inherent like the melody Of souls a-wing to distant shore; Or like the brave emprise and pure Of morning breezes which imbue The thyme and mint with honey dew-- The rest belongs to literature. [ Transcriber's Note: The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one. fragrance For him childhood was paradise, because his poor weak soul, fragrance. For him childhood was paradise, because his poor weak soul, Plus familier, voila." Plus familier, voilà." "Je voudrais, si ma vie était encore a faire, "Je voudrais, si ma vie était encore à faire, Qu'une femme très calme habitat avec moi." Qu'une femme très calme habitât avec moi." first work, and had a "_joli succés de hostilité_" with the press. The first work, and had a "_joli succès de hostilité_" with the press. The passion, yearns for soft, womenly hands. passion, yearns for soft, womanly hands.