Spirits in Bondage: A Cycle of Lyrics (1919) was C. S. Lewis's first published work (originally published under the pseudonym Clive Hamilton, which is Lewis' first name followed by his mother's maiden name). Lewis was twenty years old and had just returned from military service in the First World War. His tutor, William T. Kirkpatrick, encouraged him in publishing the book, although it was unusual at Lewis's age, as writers were expected to wait longer before sharing their work with the world. The book is composed of three different sections of poetry. The poems take on several styles and rhythms throughout the book, but share common themes. This work stands out among Lewis's writings not only because of the focus on poetry rather than prose, but because the author had not yet made his conversion to Christianity; therefore the themes and worldviews offered in Spirits in Bondage differ greatly from those for which Lewis is most well known. The book received no reviews and its reception was a slight disappointment for Lewis. The title is derived from Milton's Paradise Lost (1.658). Contents Spirits in Bondage is composed of three sections of poetry: The Prison House, Hesitation, and The Escape. The complete contents of the book are as follows: Part I: The Prison House I. Satan Speaks II. French Nocturne III. The Satyr IV. Victory V. Irish Nocturne VI. Spooks VII. Apology VIII. Ode For New Year's Day IX. Night X. To Sleep XI. In Prison XII. De Profundis XIII. Satan Speaks XIV. The Witch XV. Dungeon Grates XVI. The Philosopher XVII. The Ocean Strand XVIII. Noon XIX. Milton Read Again XX. Sonnet XXI. The Autumn Morning Part II: Hesitation XXII. L'Apprenti Sorcier XXIII. Alexandrines XXIV. In Praise Of Solid People Part III: The Escape XXV. Song Of The Pilgrims XXVI. Song XXVII. The Ass XXVIII. Ballade Mystique XXIX. Night XXX. Oxford XXXI. Hymn (For Boys' Voices) XXXII. "Our Daily Bread" XXXIII. How He Saw Angus The God XXXIV. The Roads XXXV. Hesperus XXXVI. The Star Bath XXXVII. Tu Ne Quæsieris XXXVIII. Lullaby XXXIX. World's Desire XL. Death In Battle Themes Spirits in Bondage differs from more widely read Lewis works in that he does not yet write from a Christian worldview. The poems are meant to be read in order (thus, A Cycle of Lyrics) so that the themes can develop and present themselves to the reader properly. Although not