"The epic poet collaborates with the spirit of his time in the composition of his work. That is, if he is successful; the time may refuse to work with him, but he may not refuse to work with his time"

This quote by Lascelles Abercrombie speaks with the significance of an epic poet's relationship with the spirit of their time. It suggests that the poet must team up with the spirit of their time in order to be successful in their work. This partnership is a two-way street, as the time may decline to work with the poet, however the poet can not refuse to work with their time. This suggests that the poet should be aware of the spirit of their time and want to deal with it in order to produce an effective work. This quote likewise suggests that the poet should be open to the ideas and impacts of their time in order to develop a work that resonates with their audience. By teaming up with the spirit of their time, the poet can create a work that is both significant and relevant to their audience. Eventually, this quote speaks to the value of an epic poet's relationship with the spirit of their time and the need for cooperation in order to produce an effective work.