Forty-one years ago the Irish Times gave kindly notice to what the author now calls "Three very childish little poems." They came from the pen of a young boy, whose father was at that time well-known as a poet, and appeared under the heading; "A Poetical succession." This early encouragement now has borne fruit, for the writer of the poems, Perceval Graves, has recently published a small book of verse, which he calls "Songs and Snatches."
Mr Graves comes of an exceedingly talented family. Of his brothers, Charles is the well-known columnist of the Daily Mail; Philip is on the staff of The Times; and Robert derives a livelihood from writing a constant succession of best sellers, of which "I, Claudius" is perhaps, the most famous. Their parent, Dr Alfred Perceval Graves, is best remembered as the author of "Father O'Flynn."
"Songs and Snatches" as the title suggests, consists of verses of a light lyrical quality, ranging from frivolous and lightly satirical pieces to love songs. Some of the work seems to be parody, though he gives no hint that he intends it to be; there is the "Percy French" style in "Myself an' Kate Magee," and a real "Henry Newbolt" in "Full Sail," which begins: "Sing we praise to Raleigh and Drake, days when England was wide awake." If you like this kind of thing, the booklet is published by W. G. Kingham, price 1/- net.
The Irish Times, February 10th, 1940.