Chapter I: Preface

The opening pages of this book contain, so one may hope, an adequate answer to the objections of those who may have been led by its title to expect a more detailed treatment of poetic origins and a closer study of such questions as the early forms of rhythm, the beginnings of national literatures, and the actual history of lyric, epic, and drama. Not these problems have been undertaken, interesting and important as they are, but rather the rise of poetry as a social institution; whether or not a definite account of this process has been obtained must be left for the reader to judge.

F. B. G.

9 SEPTEMBER, 1901.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

PURPOSE AND METHOD

PAGE

Object of the book. Historical and comparative treatment.
Sources of help. Modern scientific aids. Limitations to their
value. The evidence of poetry itself. The curve of evolution 1

CHAPTER II

RHYTHM AS THE ESSENTIAL FACT OF POETRY

Definitions of poetry. The line between poetry and prose.
Summary of the dispute. Rhythm fundamental and essential in
poetry. Proofs from ethnology, psychology, and the history of
poetry itself 30

CHAPTER III

THE TWO ELEMENTS IN POETRY

The dualism in its various forms. Poetry of nature and of art.
Poetry of the people. Romantic and rationalistic theories. The
real dualism 116

CHAPTER IV

THE DIFFERENCING ELEMENTS OF THE POETRY OF ART

Communal and individual. Mediæval and modern conditions.
Evolution of sentimental lyric. Influence of Christianity.
Reactions. Modern objective poetry. Humour 139

CHAPTER V

THE DIFFERENCING ELEMENTS OF COMMUNAL POETRY

The making of communal poetry a closed account. Elements of the
European ballad. Who made it. The “I” of ballads. Style of
ballads. Incremental repetition. Variation. Siberian songs.
Bridal songs. The _vocero_ and kindred songs of mourning. The
refrain. Refrains and songs of labour. Harvest-home.
Processions. Flytings. Festal refrains. The dance 163

CHAPTER VI

SCIENCE AND COMMUNAL POETRY

Science and theories of poetic origins. Invention and imitation.
Comparative literature and the art of borrowing. The war
against instinct. Instinct not set aside. The dualism in
poetry. Greek drama. Homogeneity of savages and of primitive
men 347

CHAPTER VII

THE EARLIEST DIFFERENTIATIONS OF POETRY

The poet. Improvisation in a throng. A study of the
_schnaderhüpfl_. Stanzas and poems. Differentiation of poetry.
Lyric, drama, and epic. Myths. Poetic style 390

CHAPTER VIII

THE TRIUMPH OF THE ARTIST

Improvisation revived. Its fate. The two forces in poetry. Past
and present 453

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THE BEGINNINGS OF POETRY

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THE BEGINNINGS OF POETRY