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Dream Quest, v. 1, issue 1, July 1947

Page 5

JULY     DREAM QUEST     5

Dracula of the hills."

But what makes the volume an unqualified "must" for every lover of the fantastic, whether he has a taste for poetry or not, is the last section of the book, where Derleth has included liberal sections of the "noderns" whose stories we enjoyed so well in "Weird Tales," from whose pages many of the selections are made, as well as from literary fan magazines and rare, long-out-of-print collections.

Vincent Starrett, who is slated for immortality because he is represented by a short story, "Penelope," in "The Moon Terror and Others" (the supply of which has proven inexhaustible through the decades), has seven poems, the first of which, "221B," is in memory of Sherlock Holmes and Watson, and though inappropriate is still enjoyed without prejudice. "Extraordinary Visit" has a rocket ship motif, and the others will be found to be quite clever and worthy of anthologization (come to think of it, I've read quite a number of them elsewhere).

H. P. Lovecraft is represented by his entire story-length narrative poem "Psychopompos" from "Weird Tales," the complete "Fungi from Yuggoth," enjoyment of which remains unimpaired by Winfield Townley Scott's revelation that they are strongly patterned after some of the work of Edward Arlington Robinson. In addition we have "The Messenger," and "The Ancient Track." Of the group the last mentioned is perhaps the most original. Though it is doubtful that any of Lovecraft's poetry is slated for immortality, I can almost guarantee their enjoyment to the fantasy reader.

Clark Ashton Smith, whose mighty vocabulary is at times his worst enemy, rewards the patient with some stirring, truly unworldy lines. The quotable passages from "The Hashish Eater" would encompass most of its eighteen closely-printed pages. And the ten other poems by him in the book are none too many. A collected volume of Smith's poetry would be a heady drink to be sipped gradually, but nevertheless to be greatly desired.

"Metropolitan Nightmare," by Stephen Vincent Benet will amaze the average science-fiction reader, for this long narrative poem is unquestionably straight science-fiction (with a surprise twist no less.) One hot, sultry summer day, millions upon millions of termites invade the city of New York; and the people and press burst over with laughter at the thought of the Termites trying to find something to eat in this city of steel and cement, until one day a reporter warns a watchman:

"'Say, Buddy,' he said,
'You better look out for those ants. They eat wood, you know, They'll have your shack down in no time.'
The watchman spat.
'Oh, they've quit eating wood,' he said, in a casual voice,
'I thought everybody knew that.'
----and, reaching down,

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JULY DREAM QUEST 5 Dracula of the hills." But what makes the volume an unqualified "must" for every lover of the fantastic, whether he has a taste for poetry or not, is the last section of the book, where Derleth has included liberal sections of the "noderns" whose stories we enjoyed so well in "Weird Tales," from whose pages many of the selections are made, as well as from literary fan magazines and rare, long-out-of-print collections. Vincent Starrett, who is slated for immortality because he is represented by a short story, "Penelope," in "The Moon Terror and Others" (the supply of which has proven inexhaustible through the decades), has seven poems, the first of which, "221B," is in memory of Sherlock Holmes and Watson, and though inappropriate is still enjoyed without prejudice. "Extraordinary Visit" has a rocket ship motif, and the others will be found to be quite clever and worthy of anthologization (come to think of it, I've read quite a number of them elsewhere). H. P. Lovecraft is represented by his entire story-length narrative poem "Psychopompos" from "Weird Tales," the complete "Fungi from Yuggoth," enjoyment of which remains unimpaired by Winfield Townley Scott's revelation that they are strongly patterned after some of the work of Edward Arlington Robinson. In addition we have "The Messenger," and "The Ancient Track." Of the group the last mentioned is perhaps the most original. Though it is doubtful that any of Lovecraft's poetry is slated for immortality, I can almost guarantee their enjoyment to the fantasy reader. Clark Ashton Smith, whose mighty vocabulary is at times his worst enemy, rewards the patient with some stirring, truly unworldy lines. The quotable passages from "The Hashish Eater" would encompass most of its eighteen closely-printed pages. And the ten other poems by him in the book are none too many. A collected volume of Smith's poetry would be a heady drink to be sipped gradually, but nevertheless to be greatly desired. "Metropolitan Nightmare," by Stephen Vincent Benet will amaze the average science-fiction reader, for this long narrative poem is unquestionably straight science-fiction (with a surprise twist no less.) One hot, sultry summer day, millions upon millions of termites invade the city of New York; and the people and press burst over with laughter at the thought of the Termites trying to find something to eat in this city of steel and cement, until one day a reporter warns a watchman: "'Say, Buddy,' he said, 'You better look out for those ants. They eat wood, you know, They'll have your shack down in no time.' The watchman spat. 'Oh, they've quit eating wood,' he said, in a casual voice, 'I thought everybody knew that.' ----and, reaching down,