"
Now, there is some truth in this criticism; for it is a mark of
man's early ingenuity, in many arts, to seek complexity (where you
would expect simplicity), and yet to lend to that complexity an
infantine naturalness. One can see this phenomenon in early
decorative art, and in early law and custom, and even in the
complicated structure of primitive languages. Now, just as early,
and even savage, races are our masters in the decorative use of
colour and of carving, so the nameless master-singers of ancient
France may be our teachers in decorative poetry, the poetry some
call vers de societe. Whether it is possible to go beyond this, and
adapt the old French forms to serious modern poetry, it is not for
any one but time to decide. In this matter, as in greater affairs,
securus judicat orbis terrarum. For my own part I scarcely believe
that the revival would serve the nobler ends of English poetry. Now
let us listen again to De Banville.
"In the rondel, as in the rondeau and the ballade, all the art is to
bring in the refrain without effort, naturally, gaily, and each time
with novel effect and with fresh light cast on the central idea."
Now, you can TEACH no one to do that, and M. De Banville never
pretends to give any recipes for cooking rondels or ballades worth
reading. "Without poetic VISION all is mere marquetery and cabinet-
maker's work: that is, so far as poetry is concerned--nothing.
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