scientific method and basis, of the spiritual facts of
the Universe.
“It is not easy to review Mr. Crowley. One of
the most brilliant of contemporary writers...
Mr. Crowley’s short poems in particular reveal the
possession of a beautiful and genuine vein of poetry,
which, like the precious metals, is at times scarcely
discernible among the rugged quartz in which it is
embedded. With the true poetic feeling allied to
remarkable learning, and with a pretty wit of his
own, Mr. Crowley is well equipped for producing
a work of permanent value. . . . Good work may
be found in ‘ The Sword of Song,’ but there is even
more which will arouse in the average reader (to
whom, however, Mr. Crowley obviously does not
appeal) no other feeling than one of sheer bewilder-
ment. Sometimes an oasis of beauty will reveal
the author’s power to charm, the good-humoured
egotism will tickle the fancy, the quaint allusive-
ness of his notes will raise the eyelid of wonder....
With regard to the prose portions of the volume,
the essay on ‘Science and Buddhism’ reveals some
penetrating touches; but we have to confess that
the discourse on ‘ Ontology’ baffles our comprehen-
sion. The poetical epilogue is beautiful and con-
tenting.” —Litevary Guide.
**Mr. Crowley has always been, in my opinion,
a good poet; his ‘Soul of Osiris,’ written during
an Egyptian mood, was better poetry than his
Browningesque rhapsody in a Buddhistic mood;
but this also, though very affected, is very interest-
ing. But the main fact about it is, that it is the
expression of a man who has really found Buddhism
more satisfactory than Christianity.
“Mr. Crowley begins his poem, I believe, with
an earnest intention to explain the beauty of the
Buddhistic philosophy; he knows a great deal
about it; he believes in it.... But Mr. Crowley
has got something into his soul stronger even than
the beautiful passion of the man who believes in
Buddhism ; he has the passion of the man who does
not believe in Christianity. He adds one more
testimony to the endless series of testimonials to
the fascination and vitality of the faith. For some
mysterious reason no man can contrive to be
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