Yes, both the Zola and Crabbe sonnets have the
qualities you mention; I prefer the Crabbe,
perhaps because it's quieter (and all the
stronger for that). I agree that they're
better than "Amaryllis" (which I think I left
out of my selection); but they don't seem to
me as strong as quite a number of the other
sonnets---The Story of the Ashes and the
Flame, The Tavern, Ben Trovato, Souvenir,
Monadnock through the Trees, Recalled, Vain
Gratuities, The Tavern---and certainly don't
bear comparison, wouldn't you agree, with his
best, The Sheaves and Many Are Called.
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