This new selection, drawing primarily on Rilke's extremely rich middle period, the first decade of the 20th century, and concluding with a selection from his late Sonnets to Orpheus, offers a clear, powerful, and contemporary Rilke.

RAINER MARIA RILKE was born in Prague in 1875. After a motley education at military and business schools and at Prague's Charles University, he traveled in Europe, Russia, Egypt, and Tunsinia. In addition to Sonnets to Orpheus, Rilke's works include the D