Second edition of the collection of poems with which Gumilev ‘reached the peak of his powers’ (Bristol, A History of Russian Poetry, p. 207).

The Quiver (first published 1916) ‘shows a mature poet of remarkable versatility. The lead poem, “To the Memory of Annensky,” is a noble tribute to the poet’s mentor; the last is an equally inspired “Ode to D’Annunzio: On his Recital in Genoa.” The collection includes several war poems: “War,” “Offensive,” “Death,” and “A Vision” … The Quiver has several poems in an elegiac mode in which the poet takes stock of life. One of these, “Iambic Pentameters,” is perhaps Gumilyov’s one great love poem (he wrote many, but they all seem somewhat pale and abstract). In it he wistfully admits the loss of a great love ([his ex-wife Anna] Akhmatova, of course): “I lost you, as did mad King Nal / Lose Damayanti in a game of dice.” The Quiver has several excellent poems about Italy, in no way inferior to Blok’s. “Fra Beato Angelico” is yet another beautiful tribute to a painting’ (Terras, History, p. 436).

Tarasenkov, p. 116.

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