But the development of human society does not go straight forward; and the epic process will therefore be a recurring process, the series a recurring series - though not in exact repetition.

Quote by Lascelles Abercrombie

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But the gravest difficulty, and perhaps the most important, in poetry meant solely for recitation,...

But the gravest difficulty, and perhaps the most important, in poetry meant solely for recitation,...

There is only one thing which can master the perplexed stuff of epic material into...

There is only one thing which can master the perplexed stuff of epic material into...

The balance of private good and general welfare is at the bottom of civilized morals;...

The balance of private good and general welfare is at the bottom of civilized morals;...

An epic is not made by piecing together a set of heroic lays, adjusting their...

An epic is not made by piecing together a set of heroic lays, adjusting their...

The reason can only be this: heroic poetry depends on an heroic age, and an...

The reason can only be this: heroic poetry depends on an heroic age, and an...

Poetry is the work of poets, not of peoples or communities; artistic creation can never...

Poetry is the work of poets, not of peoples or communities; artistic creation can never...

The epic poet collaborates with the spirit of his time in the composition of his...

The epic poet collaborates with the spirit of his time in the composition of his...

It is more difficult to keep the attention of hearers than of readers.

It is more difficult to keep the attention of hearers than of readers.

No poet will ever take the written word as a substitute for the spoken word;...

No poet will ever take the written word as a substitute for the spoken word;...

If epic poetry is a definite species, the sagas do not fall within it.

If epic poetry is a definite species, the sagas do not fall within it.

That is to say, epic poetry has been invented many times and independently; but, as...

That is to say, epic poetry has been invented many times and independently; but, as...

It seems difficult, sometimes, to believe that there was a time when sentiments now become...

It seems difficult, sometimes, to believe that there was a time when sentiments now become...

The Border Ballads, for instance, and the Robin Hood Ballads, clearly suppose a state of...

The Border Ballads, for instance, and the Robin Hood Ballads, clearly suppose a state of...

The world knows of a vast stock of epic material scattered up and down the...

The world knows of a vast stock of epic material scattered up and down the...

Epic poetry exhibits life in some great symbolic attitude. It cannot strictly be said to...

Epic poetry exhibits life in some great symbolic attitude. It cannot strictly be said to...

The epic poet has behind him a tradition of matter and a tradition of style;...

The epic poet has behind him a tradition of matter and a tradition of style;...

For the stage displays the first vigorous expression, as the natural thing and without conspicuous...

For the stage displays the first vigorous expression, as the natural thing and without conspicuous...

By the general process of epic poetry, I mean the way this form of art...

By the general process of epic poetry, I mean the way this form of art...

With several different kinds of poetry to choose from, a man would decide that he...

With several different kinds of poetry to choose from, a man would decide that he...