HUMANITARIAN POEMS AND POEMS OF PROGRESS

Thèse poems demand the briefest comment. We hâve noted the deepening pessimism in Hugo's nature. This pessimism moves him to passionate pity for human suffering, and is strangely blended with, and mitigated by, immense hopes for the future of the race. Thèse hopes may not be entirely consistent with his views of life, nor in philosophical accord with facts ; it is sufficient that they inspire him with poems that do lasting honor to his name.