In Sarbiewski's Circle − Albert Ines' Lyric Poetry

Abstract

Albert Ines is discussed here as the author of the lyrical poem Lyricorum centuriae (Gdańsk 1655). In the collection there are many religious poems, especially ones taking up Virgin Mary as their subject matter, and hence Ines is described as vates Marianus. Ines' religious poems are bound by a double convention: that of the use of biblical and ancient metaphors; they are also even ”garrulous” because of motives of praise accumulated in a litany-style manner. His reflective poems are more interesting; they are a kind of intellectual-lyric poetry abouding in clever sayings, pointed antitheses, etc. Ines imitates Sarbiewski but being consistent with the rule ”imitari non expilare” he limits himself to only two ”parodies”; and even they are not very typical. The fact that Ines imitates Sarbiewski is also seen in taking up the same subjects in his poems. This similarity is sometimes rather faint so its significance for our interpretation will be limited.