When I was rereading Herbert Read’s anthology ‘The Knapsack’ – his work produced for a soldier to carry with him as the Second World War broke out (see previous posts) I came across T.S. Eliot’s poem ‘Triumphal March’ of which an extract is below.
‘Triumphal March’ was written by Eliot in 1931 to be one of the Ariel Poems – the beautiful pamphlets published by Faber between 1927 and 1931 and and in 1954. They are such satisfying things only four pages hand stitched between cardboard covers but encompassing the most extraordinary poets and illustrators, seen by their producers as possible replacements for greetings cards – the reason that quite a few have a Christmas theme. The illustrations are wonderful – from some of the most noted illustrators and designers – John and Paul Nash, Barnett Freedman, Graham Sutherland, Edward Barden and Sir William Nicholson.
Here though is one for Spring. No. 2 contains Sir Henry Newbolt’s poem ‘The Linnets’s Nest’ with illustrations by Ralph Keene. It is ravishing.
The Solitary Reader 