The seven poems that make up Auden’s Horae Canonicae correspond to the church’s canonical hours, the divine offices for prayer. But of course, these poems are not merely a recitation of the divine offices, sometimes also referred to as the Book of Hours. Rather, in a very real sense, they are Auden’s consummate poetical reflection on the nature of Christian belief and his own faith. Something much the same may be said of Eliot’s Four Quartets. They are, in effect, his final poetry; a summation of his belief cast poetically.
In my mind, both works are liturgical in character. Needless to say, also, they are not uncomplicated. Much meaning is packed into the poetry; and we will be after that meaning, while, nonetheless, conscientiously staying close to Auden’s and Eliot’s own speech. The Four Quartets is nearly four times the length of Auden’s work. So it stands to reason we will spend most of our time in a study of the former. I propose we begin with the Four Quartets and reserve the fifth and final week for Horae Canonicae.
