Chapitre 1842

He is especially the poet of the vie des humbles. His talent is not pre-eminently lyric, and he has tended to escape

from the lyric domain in different directions, into the narrative poem, the drama, and the novel, in each of which he has achieved success. He is probably the most popular living French poet.

Works: Le Reliquaire, 1866; Intimités, 1868; Poèmes modernes, 1869; les Humbles, 1872; Promenades et intérieurs, 1872; le Cahier rouge, 1874; Olivier, 1875; l’Exilée, 1876; les Mois, 1877; Contes en vers et poésies diverses, 1881 and 1887;

Poèmes et récits, 1886; Arrière-saison, 1887; les Paroles sincères, 1890; Oeuvres, 5 vols., 1885-91.

For reference: M. de Lescure, François Coppée; L’Homme, la Vie, et l’Oeuvre (1842-1889), 1889; J. Lemaître, les Contemporains, vol. i, 1886; F. Brunetière. Évolution de la poésie lyrique, vol. ii, 1894; Alcée Fortier, Sept Grands Auteurs du XIXe Siècle, Boston, 1889.

271. JUIN. From les Mois.

272. L’HOROSCOPE. From le Reliquaire.

273. L’ATTENTE. From Poèmes modernes.

275. CHANSON D’EXIL, “QUAND VOUS ME MONTREZ UNE ROSE,” LIED and ÉTOILES FILANTES are from l’Exilée.

277. A UN ÉLÉGIAQUE. From Contes en vers et poésies diverses. The story of the Spartan boy and the fox may be found in Plutarch’s Lycurgus, 18. The idea should be compared with the artistic doctrine of the impassibles.

JOSÉ-MARIA DE HEREDIA.