Critics of Sally Purcell's first collection of poems "The Holly Queen (1971)" spoke of 'the ghostly music' and 'diamantine elegance' of her poetry. These qualities are evident in this collection which continues to explore the mysteries of the quest through legendary and mythic material. Her sense of the numinous and the dramatic, and her intuitive grasp of folklore are matched by a rare lyric gift. 'Miss Purcell is masterly in her handling of myth and ancient history', wrote Elizabeth Jennings.