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Sacred Poetry from Around the World

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Christian : Catholic

17th Century

England
(Europe)

Richard Crashaw

Timeline (1613 - 1649)

Poems by Richard Crashaw
Books - Links

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Although Richard Crashaw was the son of a strongly anti-Catholic clergyman in England, he became a convert to Catholicism.

As a Catholic sympathizer, Richard Crashaw was forced into exile in France for some time during the English civil wars.

He married twice, both wives dying soon after the marriage.

Richard Crashaw's poetry is often listed among the favorites of the English Metaphysical Poets, a group that includes George Herbert, Henry Vaughan, and John Donne.

Crashaw's poetry in Steps to the Temple (1646) makes some obvious references to Herbert's work, and Crashaw admits to being influenced by Herbert, but Crashaw's poetry is less overtly "religious" and more immediately mystical. Some of his poetry even makes free use of sensual, even erotic imagery that has shocked many commentators through the years, but it reflects the mystic's instinct to convey ecstatic awareness in even its most physical experiences.

Poems by Richard Crashaw

	A Song
	The Flaming Heart or the Life of the Glorious S. Teresa
	To the Name above every Name, the Name of Jesus

Recommended Books

	Metaphysical Poetry: (Penguin Classics), Edited by Colin Burrow Amazon.com
	Metaphysical Poetry: An Anthology (Dover Thrift Edition), Edited by Paul Negri Amazon.com
	The Oxford Book of Mystical Verse, Edited by D. H. S. Nicholson / Edited by A. H. E. Lee Amazon.com
	Poetry for the Spirit: Poems of Universal Wisdom and Beauty, Edited by Alan Jacobs Amazon.com
	Teresa of Avila: The Progress of a Soul, by Cathleen Medwick Amazon.com

Related Links:

	meta http://athena.english.vt.edu/~jmooney/renmats/meta.htm A brief introduction to the main figures of the English Metaphysical Poets movement.
	RPO - Selected Poetry of Richard Crashaw http://eir.library.utoronto.ca/rpo/display/poet84.html Representative Poetry Online. Several poems and poem excerpts by Crashaw.
	Poet: Richard Crashaw http://www.poemhunter.com/richard-crashaw/poet-7147/ Several poems by Crashaw online.
	Richard Crashaw Books and Articles http://www.questia.com/library/literature/literature-of-specific-countries/british-literature/17th-century/richard-crashaw.jsp Links to several articles on the poetry and mysticism of Richard Crashaw.
	Richard Crashaw: Steps Temple, Delights Muses http://www.britlit.org/crashaw.index1.shtml The complete text of Steps to the Steps to the Temple collection and some of The Delights of the Muses online.
	Richard Crashaw http://www.answers.com/topic/richard-crashaw A couple of brief biographies online.

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Richard Crashaw

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Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

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the Poetry Chaikhana