Poetry of G M Hopkins - 3 - Michael Redgrave et alia torrent

No worst, there is none. Pitched past pitch of grief,
More pangs will, schooled at forepangs, wilder wring.
Comforter, where, where is your comforting?
Mary, mother of us, where is your relief?
My cries heave, herds-long; huddle in a main, a chief-
woe, world-sorrow; on an age-old anvil wince and sing —
Then lull, then leave off. Fury had shrieked 'No ling-
ering! Let me be fell: force I must be brief'.
O the mind, mind has mountains; cliffs of fall
Frightful, sheer, no-man-fathomed. Hold them cheap
May who ne'er hung there. Nor does long our small
Durance deal with that steep or deep. Here! creep,
Wretch, under a comfort serves in a whirlwind: all
Life death does end and each day dies with sleep.”



Hopkins seemingly odd English (which he termed 'Sprung Verse') is the nineteenth century version of the equally odd English of seventeenth century metaphysical poetry. Both have their origin in the intense spiritual wrestling between word and meaning.

This is the (rare) late sixties Argo LP with Michael Redgrave, Barbara Jefford, Richard Pasco and George Rylands. Again, copybook readings of English verse which can be warmly recommended. Kindly seed