The rhythmic pattern of the poem, which forces continuity of attention – incites a pleasurable compulsion to ‘follow' – is either a tried metrical suasion-contrivance or a specially invented pattern of physical insistences, equally, if not more, binding in its effect on the reader. From a straight linguistic point of view, there is room for wonder if there is not latent vice in this environment in which pleasurable physically-compelled responses, produced by incidents of poetic utterance, are identified with the Good. (Laura Riding)

The rhythmic pattern of the poem, which forces continuity of attention – incites a pleasurable compulsion to ‘follow' – is either a tried metrical suasion-contrivance or a specially invented pattern of physical insistences, equally, if not more, binding in its effect on the reader. From a straight linguistic point of view, there is room for wonder if there is not latent vice in this environment in which pleasurable physically-compelled responses, produced by incidents of poetic utterance, are identified with the Good.

Laura Riding

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attention binding compulsion continuity effect environment follow good latent pattern physical poem point reader room straight try utterance vice view wonder forces

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