Many British poets have either belonged to, or been influenced by not only the Freemasons, but the Rosicrucians, Gormogons and Hell-Fire Clubs. First published in 1986, this study concentrates on five major examples: Smart, Burns, William Blake, William Butler Yeats and Rudyard Kipling, as well as a number of other poets. Marie Roberts questions why so many poets have been powerfully attracted to the secret societies, and considers the effectiveness of poetry as a medium for conveying secret emblems and ritual. The beliefs of these poets are as diverse as their practice, and this book sheds fascinating light on several major writers.

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION: CREATIVE UNDERWORLDS; Chapter 2 CHRISTOPHER SMART; Chapter 3 ROBERT BURNS; Chapter 4 PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY; Chapter 5 RUDYARD KIPLING; Chapter 6 WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS;