Sidney Lanier was perhaps the greatest poet produced by the South during the the 19th Century. His descriptions of the nature and the Georgian Marshes of Glen, as in "the slant yellow beam of the sun doth seem like a lane from Heaven that leads to a dream..." and "belief overmasters doubt and I know that I know..." are words that feed the soul with the timeless nector of wisdom and humanity. I treasure this book and any student of the American South and/or of American Poetry will find Mr. Lanier's style of alliteration and assonance, together with his wonderful imagery to be a feast for the soul in solitude.

This is an invaluable reprint of the 1916 edition of Mary Lanier's 1884 collection, which is only marred by a certain over-solicitousness for the poet's fame that depreciates the early poems and the jolly, Twainy "dialect" poems, whice rise to Frost in "Thar's more in the Man than thar is in the Land."

Sidney Lanier saw the Real through "Christ's crystal" clear as the great fourth stanza of "Song of the Chattahoochee":

And oft in the hills of Habersham,
And oft in the valleys of Hall,
The white quartz shone, and the smooth brook-stone
Did bar me of passage with friendly brawl,
And many a luminous jewel lone
---Crystals clear or a-cloud with mist,
Ruby, garnet and amethyst---
Made lures with the lights of streaming stone
In the clefts of the hills of Habersham,
In the beds of the valleys of Hall.

"A Florida Sunday" is an evocation pure as any of Florida, and there is homesickness in "From the Flats":

Oh might I through these tears
But glimpse some hill my Georgia high uprears,
Where white the quartz and pink the pebble shine,
The hickory heavenward strives, the muscadine
Swings o'er the slope, the oak's far-falling shade
Darkens the dogwood in the bottom glade,
And down the hollow from a ferny nook
Bright leaps a living brook!

The famous "Hymns of the Marshes" are what Georgia is like, so that when in "Ireland" he offers against the famine "the main and cordial current of our love," he prophesies Finnegans Wake.

Hart Crane's noble tribute to "Psalm of the West", Pound's rare salute to "A Ballad of Trees and the Master", bespeak a poet loudly ignored.

His great Cantata for the Centennial would serve as well in 1976.

In his Afterword, John Hollander points to "the opening line of 'The Marshes of Glynn,' when separated from the weaker, rhyming second one: 'Glooms of the live-oaks, beautiful-braided and woven'; here again we feel that the music of Lanier's verse lies closer to the ebb and flow of Whitman's than to the brilliant contraptions of Swinburne's." That second line is, "With intricate shades of the vines that myriad-cloven"---go on to the third, "Clamber the forks of the multiform boughs," and you have Lanier.

I read this book six years ago, in my last semester in college, and, through the travels and travails of my life since then, I've kept it not far from my side. I must admit that I am not Catholic, and never will be, and that I struggle every day with my faith (something Merton could relate to). What I related to most, though, was the fact that this man struggled constantly with issues so terribly neglected in modern times: issues surrounding charity, asceticism, non-violence, and the downside of capitalism. One can cull a tremendous amount of very relevant social criticism from this book, a good sixty years after it was written. I would have to argue, though, that at the point of authorship of Seven Storey, Merton owed only a few of his ideas to the left. He was overwhelmed with an idealistic, Christian/Utopian vision of peace, love and charity. This left him very untied to the outside world, however often he argued that Gethsemani was the "real American." I have struggled with Christian utopianism for years, quite convinced that it could never work, and at other times believing that it is the only true salvation for humanity. Merton naively believed that the struggles of mankind, as impermanent as they were, might be solved through the sense of humility and charity that the "real" Catholic church brings. It is a huge, impossible dream. And, in escaping to Gesthemani, perhaps he was escaping from the thorny issues that surround such idealism. But, for the most part, he was right on. The rot that was (and is) Western civilization, built layer by layer for centuries, was finally seeing its stinking fruition at the time of his conversion and subsequent vocation in the Catholic church. With American hegemony, in the present time, we have not seen the rot disappear, only to take upon a different mutation. What I believe is the very essence of Christianity: non-violence and
charity, has been replaced by an amorphous and greedy capitalist system that keeps pace with the continuation of a military-industrial complex. Civilization holds on by a thread. In this new century, we continue to avoid peaceful answers. And although he did not have all the best solutions, Merton asked most of the right questions.

After reading Thomas Merton’s “The Seven Storey Mountain,” and being amazed at what I read, I want to set down the reaction I had to this powerful book. Merton’s story of his faith, from its virtual nonexistence to conversion and then finding his true vocation deeply touched my spirit and enabled me to reexamine a portion of my spirituality that, like the author’s at my age, was severely neglected. I hesitate to say that Merton’s personal “confessions” changed my life, because that phrase is so cliché. However, as a fellow convert, journeying from uncertainty and darkness to light and joy, I connected on that level with him immediately. The sentiments I share with him are best expressed through his words. I hope to convey some sense of the pervasive effects of faith and love on life, which Merton explored. The masterful unity, coherence, and balance of his words can only come from a life of faith...

A question remains: why does Merton’s story continue to fascinate and speak to so many after 50 years? The fact that his works remain in print and are available in over 20 languages suggest that it is at least profitable to keep them on bookstore shelves and inventories....Merton’s works are not dated, but continue to affect millions. They are classics, even when viewed on a purely economic scale, discounting substance and material. Robert Giroux, a personal friend of Merton, quotes Mark Van Doren, an influential professor in his and Merton’s life, in his introduction to “The Seven Storey Mountain:” “A classic is a book that remains in print” (xviii). I agree with [a reviewer] to an extent when he skeptically questions, “But I doubt that any of us would have heard of him or his writings if he hadn’t become a monk. As a lay writer, he would have been forgotten long ago.” Robert Giroux addresses this quandary in the introduction: “Why did the success of the Mountain go so far beyond my expectations as an editor and publisher?” (xvi). The spiritual yearning and search for peace in a nuclear age and cold war, where small children in innocence were taught to duck under their desks in case of an attack, certainly plays a role, as Giroux notes. But, “Merton’s story was unusual – a well-educated and articulate young man withdraws – why? – into a monastery” (xvi). Why indeed would a man deny a lucrative career as professor, writer, and intellectual to perform continual penance in an isolated abbey? This intriguing question and unique situation provides the initial draw to the “Mountain.” To modern middle-class America, the idea that someone would give up “profit and financial security for asceticism and penance seems strange. Perhaps readers were awkwardly convicted by the notion that something more substantial existed than a cold beer and hot shower in order to be happy, and that someone had found this something more. However, after curiosity attracts, Merton holds the reader’s attention on his own merits. After the head-turning surprise, arresting the passer by in mid stride, he must or, as so many carnival attractions, rapidly relinquish their hold as soon as it is established. Merton’s belief he places in the Church is humbling, and provides a draw much stronger than gaudy language or verbal theatrics, even if the reader does not agree with his philosophies. The passion he displays in his words and the yearning for spiritual union with God is so plain in his heart that he propels the reader like the promise of an oasis drives a nomad through endless deserts. Merton gives his reader, a fellow spiritual pilgrim, whether they know it or not, a clear draught to refresh and fortify. And, as Merton ends his story and takes leave, he offers a final piece of advice: “Sit finis libri, non finis quaerendi – Let this be the end of the book, but not the end of the search” (462).

I have written a longer essay on this book - if you want to read it, send me an email at GOPForever@yahoo.com

The Seven Storey Mountain is my favorite book. I've read it several times. Any time I feel distant from God, I pick up this book. Without fail, my faith increases, I contemplate God more often and I feel the interiorly peaceful warmth of union with Christ.

Even though that last paragraph may have been a bit "sappy," consider the fact that Merton is a lot like you and I. He drifted from one ideology to the next. He explored humanism, communism, and a lot of other isms. Merton had several failings. He was ambitious, and at times during his journey, he was an arrogant intellectual.

The beauty of The Seven Storey Mountain is that, with God's help, Merton became a great lover of God. He overcame these faults, and in so doing, he has paved a road for the rest of us.

Merton, if he were alive, would be the first to tell you that you don't have to join a monastery to find happiness in God. But that was Merton's joyful calling.

The Seven Storey Moutain follows Merton's life as he followed his artist father around the world from France to Long Island to the Carribean to England and back to New York.

All can profit spiritually from this book. Like many, Merton was successful in secular ways and, in taking stock of his life, found that he was still unhappy. Merton found his place with God and, perhaps, this book will help you do the same. Buy this book and read it several times over.

King Arthur's Noble knights
Sidney Lanier's re-telling of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table may appear confusing. However this story has the same original plot and theme of King Arthur weaved into the story. This book contains stories on the coming and passing of Arthur in the 6th century, King Arthur's most noble knights, and the quest for the Holly Grail.
Sidney Lanier's version tells more details then other novels of King Arthur. For instance, Lanier always describes what knights do when they traveling to a destination. He tells where the knights stop and sleep for the nights and what they eat the next morning.
Lastly, in my opinion this book should be read by adults who understand the meaning of words such as wrought, meseemeth, and wot. I did not enjoy reading this novel because of the complexity of the language.

Arthurian Supremacy
This book is broken down into seven smaller books. The titles are as follows, "King Arthur", " Sir Lancelot Du Lake", "Garneth of Orokearly", "Sir Tristram", Galahd Sir Percival and the quest for the holy Grail", "The Fair maid of Astolate" And "The death of Arthur". This novel contains all of the classic stories about Arthur and his knights. From the birth of Arthur to the fall of his kingdom, this book has it all. Sadly there are basically no changes to the story line at all which can be disappointing. I Personally do not recommend this book for new readers or people who like to fast read given that the old English context makes it confusing and hard to read The old context is kind of a two edged sword it is both confusing and interesting. This novel was written by N. V. Kilen

N.C. Wyeth illustrated the book of "The Boy's King Arthur"in 1917. The Boy's King Arthur, is avout the top main knights such as, Lancelot, and how they become a knight. This story exists as part of the original King Arthur stories, but it becomes shorter than the original. Also in The Boys King Arthur, you will encounter how knights acted back in the fourth century.
The author of this story uses more details, and more unique, and unusual things than the original story. The battle with Mordred and Arthur at the end, I considered that to be an extremely unique fight, because Mordred becomes a traitor to his own father, Arthur. Unusually, N.C. Wyeth adds old English in the ways of back then in the story. The Narrator of The Boys King Arthur remains just an outsider of the story. The main setting of the novel places in England, and the themes of the novel, exists as just how peasents and people become the top Knights of the Round Table. (Lancelot, Tristram, Galahad, Percival, and the fair maid of Astolat) Also the story illustrates how King Arthur becomes King of England, And his death.
I recommend that people should read this book only if they're thirteen and up. Also I recommend that you should read The Boys King Arthur only if you read the original version of King Arthur. I say this because the book remains in old English, and might be quite hard to understand. I thought this book is quite hard to understand of the old English, and the length of the book with the old English.

This copy of the brought down story, King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table is by Roger Lancelyn Green. This book is the book that you must get for the holidays. This book has everything that a reader could ask for. The times were mischievous. Evil was waiting brake out through the cracks of the darkest parts. Morgana Le Fe, a woman educated in wizardry, who used her powers in the good. When the squire, Arthur went looking for a sword for his brother, Sir Kay, he came across a sword stuck in stone. Unaware of its power, Arthur pulled it out. Then England knew who their king was.Following the advice of Merlin, his wise counselor, Arthur created a round table for his knights. The knights went on quests, fighting evil and seeking the Holy Grail, Only the purist could see the Grail. This book is about many knights ' adventures. come up often or you'll see the chronicles of Merlin. The reason you may not see this book being reviewed because almost every American has read King Arthur. Some people do not like the mystical aspects in this book or the old English. There are battles with dragons and wizardry but that's the type of book it is. I recommend this book to families in America for it is not just a book your kids will enjoy but is also for the whole family. King Arthur is historical and adventurous. The battles are realistic and the writing is "encouraging" for it keeps, you the reader yearning to read on.

I have read so many King Arthur books and can't keep track of which ones I read. But this one I remember being quite enjoyable. It includes numerous King Arthur tales some you may know others may be new to you. My personal favorite being "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight". All I have to say is this is an enjoyable and adventurous read weather you have ever read about King Arthur before or not. After reading this your bound to be captivated and find yourself searching for more King Arthur tales! I recommend not only this book ,but the many other ones that are out there also. After reading this one check out "The Squire's Tale" by:Gerald Morris - It's a fun book about a boy,Terence, and the famous Sir Gawain(in which you are or will become familiar with if you read "King Arthur and His Knight's of the Round Table".

Who hasn't heard of King Arthur and the knights of his Round Table? In this book you meet them all - including the magician Merlin, and the brave knights Sir Launcelot, Sir Gareth, Sir Tristam, Sir Bors, Sir Kay, and Sir Galahad. All the old favorites are included - Arthur drawing the sword out of the stone, Arthur receiving the sword Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake, and Arthur's marriage to Guinevere. But this is just the beginning of excitement - followed by numerous quests and adventures of the knights, including the Quest for the Holy Grail. This book is chock-full of entertaining adventures involving knights in shining armour, damsels in distress, fierce jousting and sword fights to the death, battles against hoards of enemies and giants, tournaments and miracles.

The medieval setting is painted in a rather idealized fashion, limited to the nobility and figures of the court, who embrace all that is beautiful, brave and noble. These virtues are sometimes portrayed rather simplistically, as unknown knights engage in mortal combat, and only after they have virtually killed each other do the introductions begin: "What is your name?" Behind this medieval mayhem is a heightened sense of chivalry more reflective of legend than fact, where knights battle to the death for the sake of a woman - even one they have only just met. But isn't that what the Arthurian legends are all about? Nobody is under the illusion that they are to be taken too seriously. Journeying to Arthur's Camelot is a form of escapism - suspend your sense of disbelief, watch the flashing swords and fearful battles, and enjoy.

That's not to say that the Arthurian tales do not reflect any reality. Arthur's world is in many respects a real medieval world. Medieval beliefs in paganism and Christianity are evident throughout. Witchcraft and enchantment is presented as alive and deadly, and conversely the true religion - in this case the beliefs of the medieval Catholic church - is evident throughout as knights commend themselves to God in prayer, thank him for his help, and even repent from their sins. The whole notion of the Holy Grail is of course a very Christian tradition - although a tradition that represents more fiction than fact. And the moral virtues of justice, truth and right for which the honorable knights fight are still noble ideals of virtue today. Arthur's kingdom is presented as a kingdom blessed by the grace of God, a beacon of light symbolizing all that is good and true and right, and a worthy model for kingdoms in today's world because it revolves around timeless virtues. Tales that promote dignity, courtesy, courage, respect for right, respect for female dignity and purity are as ennobling as they are entertaining.

How much truth there is behind the Arthurian tales will always be the subject of debate. The fact remains that there is an extensive and confusing body of legend to wade through. In this work, Green has essentially followed Malory's fifteenth century classic "Morte d'Arthur." But unlike most other writers, such as Sir James Knowles, Green has made some significant improvements:
1. Firstly, the traditional Arthurian tales are a confusing mass of legends. But Green consciously weaves all the tales together as part of a single pattern. He needs to take some liberties with legend in order to achieve this, but these alterations are minor, and the end result is a plausible reconstruction with a clear development, revolving around the establishment of Arthur's kingdom, its climax with the successful quest for the Holy Grail, and subsequent downfall.
2. Secondly, most other collections slavishly follow the body of legend inherited by Thomas Malory. Green follows Malory in the main, but has researched the legends carefully for himself, and also incorporates some Arthurian legends not found in Malory.
These innovations of Green result in a very readable and successful version of the Arthurian tales, and yet one that does not significantly sacrifice faithfulness to legend. Those looking for a more historical reflection of the Arthurian tales would do well to turn to a version of Malory, such as that by Sir James Knowles. And those looking for a more developed and extensive modern version where the author has taken liberties beyond the original legends, would enjoy the classic work by Howard Pyle. But as a faithful, plausible and enjoyable introduction to the tales, you can't go wrong with this superb effort by Green.

Most readers looking to be introduced to the Arthurian legends need look no further than this collection by Green. It's not as grand as Malory, but it's a better read. There is no end to the accomplishments of sword and sorcery, adventures and quests. To our sorrow, Arthur's kingdom ends in darkness and disgrace, but not before it has shone with a wonderful and memorable light. Along with the tales of Robin Hood, the tales of King Arthur are the most exciting tales that British history has produced. This is the stuff of legend, and it's worth a read.