“Originality marks his work in spite of the intimation that his themes are somewhat threadbare. He possesses a virility that is manifest at all times and a delight in swinging measures and emphatic rhymes.” H. S. Gorman
+ N Y Times p11 Ja 9 ’20 100w
BENET, WILLIAM ROSE. Moons of grandeur. *$2 Doran 811
20–19072
This collection of poems is reprinted from contributions to various magazines. With a few exceptions the poet takes his inspiration from history: the renaissance, ancient Egypt, medieval England furnishing him with subjects. Some of the titles are: Gaspara Stampa; Legend of Michelotto; Niccolo in exile; The triumphant Tuscan; Michelangelo in the fish-market; The ballad of Taillefer; The priest in the desert; Dust of the plains.
“The rich color and vigor of his poetry have caught some of the brilliance and romance of these times. The vocabulary and allusions make demands upon the reader which to many will be a serious drawback.”
+ − Booklist 17:104 D ’20
“A poet so fertile and diversified is bound to be interesting, and one cannot but recognize Mr Benet’s gifts of streaming phrase and bannered fancy; at the same time one often misses the clear, strong note of nature, often feels the absence from this work of actual blood and bone.”
+ − Nation 112:86 Ja 19 ’21 100w