Poetry is the work of poets, not of peoples or communities; artistic creation can never be anything but the production of an individual mind. Lascelles Abercrombie Read Quote
Epic poetry exhibits life in some great symbolic attitude. It cannot strictly be said to symbolize life itself, but always some manner of life. Lascelles Abercrombie Read Quote
It is more difficult to keep the attention of hearers than of readers. Lascelles Abercrombie Read Quote
If epic poetry is a definite species, the sagas do not fall within it. Lascelles Abercrombie Read Quote
For the stage displays the first vigorous expression, as the natural thing and without conspicuous restraint, of private individuality. Lascelles Abercrombie Read Quote
By the general process of epic poetry, I mean the way this form of art has constantly responded to the profound needs of the society in which it was made. Lascelles Abercrombie Read Quote
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. Lascelles Abercrombie Read Quote
An epic is not made by piecing together a set of heroic lays, adjusting their discrepancies and making them into a continuous narrative. Lascelles Abercrombie Read Quote
It seems difficult, sometimes, to believe that there was a time when sentiments now become habitual, sentiments that imply not only the original imperative of conduct, but the original metaphysic of living, were by no means altogether habitual. Lascelles Abercrombie Read Quote
The balance of private good and general welfare is at the bottom of civilized morals; but the morals of the Heroic Age are founded on individuality, and on nothing else. Lascelles Abercrombie Read Quote
