ThePoets 10139924

VE CE N T U RI E S OF
E N G L IS H V E RS E
IM P R E S S I O N S
W ILLI A M S TEB B I N G
HON . FE L LO W OF W O RCE S T E R C O L L E QE , O XF O R D
A UT H O R OF
‘
si R R R ALE G H :
W A LT E A B I OG RA P H Y .
‘
T RUT H S OR TRU IS MS P A RT S
’
I AND 11
IN T W O VO LU M E S
V OL . 11 : W O R D S W O RT H T O T E N N Y S O N
R E VI SE D E D I T I ON
OF
‘
THE POET S C H A UC E R T O : T E N N Y SON
I M PR E SSI ON S
H E N R Y F R OW D E
O XF O R D U N IV E R S IT Y P R E S S
LO N D O N E D I N B U R G H G L A S G O W
, ,
N EW Y O R K TO R O N TO M E LB O U R N E B OM B A Y
, , ,
1 9 1 3
B Y TH E S A M E A U TH OR
T H R E E E S S AY S : P o s thu m o u s F am e , T o l e r a
t io n , an d B r illi a n t F ailu r e s . C r 8 vo . . 6d . ne t .
T R U T H S OR T R U I S M S (P a r t 8 vo 4 3 n e t ; . .
als o o n O x fo r d In d i a p ap e r 63 n e t ,
. .
C ON T E N T S T h D d H d — N c : ey N iea — H w t an e e ssar u san c e s o o
l —C l f P f io —E i —G t—F d m
Q u ar r e to u n se s o t er ec n c ce n r c s re a ree o
-D i g W ith t— C l ic l E
o n — C
ou t y— S l f d
er p
a t i rr o r s o ur e s e -
e ce on
Th M e i g L t t y —A N w L a
ar r a e w o f L ib l — T m p fl D
er e o e e er e
J ur e D F c t — Teh
!
E ld a S i t — H w t M k th M t f
o e er s er o o a e e os o
Lif — M m y — A g t 2 9
e e or 9 5
— P tt i
gu t h
us B i i t C
,
1 m 0 u n e ra n n o o
mi i — T h
ss o n
gh W h G l
ro u — C p b d — I
o se i i t i asse s u o ar s n s n ce r es
—P p l ity
o u ar .
T R U T H S OR T R U I S M S (Par t I I ) 8v o 4 3 n e t ; . . .
al s o o n O x fo r d In d i a p a e r 6 n et
p 3 , . .
C ON T S V i w c l d p — O g t P
TEN : ce sP m e ou s ar e ur rea r o se oe
P p i i g Di
au er z n t bl T lk C i g W — At m
n n e r- a e a o n ce r n n ar o s
W ith C t th y m d E
o ne — T h S h d w f C im
o n se n e a e x c use e a o o r e
—J un e
9
— R
22 d b l ,
— S
p hi1t — S 1 I t i E v ea a e o s s e n sa ons en as
thi P bl ic
s u— Pl i A t— C
an lt y — T h I d l N w
e asu r e n r rue e ea e s
Le s gr an d s H o mm e s M é c o n n us V hy —H o w —an d
V
p pe r
a
W ho m I t is m o r e B e sse d t o l
ive han t o R e ce i e - Shak e G t v
r am at is ts— I n c o n ce iv a
D — M an bl bl
’
spe ar e s B r o the r - I n c o m p at i e
y
A n t i ip at e d —A n e w ir c u at n g L i b r ar y
c C l i .
V OL . II
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
W I LLI AM W OR D S W ORT H
S AM U E L T A Y L OR COL E RI D G E
R OB E R T S O U T H E Y
VVAL T E R S C OT T
JAM E S H O G G
W AL T E R S A V A G E L A N D O R
T H OM A S M OOR E
LE I G H H UN T
LOR D B YR ON
P ER C Y B Y S SH E S H E LL E Y
JOHN K E AT S
C HAR LE S W OLF E
H E N R Y H AR T MI LM AN
J OH N K E B L E
JOHN H E N R Y N E W M AN
T H OM A S H OO D
E LI ZAB E T H B AR R E TT BR OW N I N G
CHAR L E S KI N G S LE Y
R ALP H W AL D O E M E R S ON
E D GAR ALLAN P O E
H E N R Y W A D SW ORT H LON G F E LL OW
JAM E S R U S S E LL L OW E LL
E D W AR D FI T ZG E R AL D
4 CO N TE N TS
C OV E N T R Y P A T M OR E
D A N T E G A B RI E L R OSS E T T I
W I LLI AM M OR R I S
A L G E R N ON CH AR L E S S W I N B UR N E
AR T H UR H U G H CL OU G H
M AT T H E W AR N OL D
R O B E R T B R OW N I N G
A L F R E D T E N N Y S ON
UN C L A SS E D
C ON C L U S I ON S ”
8
IN DE X OF FI R S T W OR D S 4 1 5 —4 3 1
BI B THS AN D DEATHS 4 3 5 —4 40
F I V E C E N T U R I E S O F E N G L I S H VE R S E
lV l L L I A M VVOR D S W ORT H
—
1 7 7 0 1 85 0
AN Evange l ist a m o ng t he he athe n fo r thirty ye ars .
Supre m e P o n t ifi fo r t we nty W h at is he n o w ?

.
N o stud e nt o f l it e r atur e c an d o u bt w h at he w as In .
t he hi st o r y o f l e arning Crus ade s ar e n o n o ve l ti e s T he .
c l o s e o f t he e ighte e nth an d e arl i e r p art o f t he nine te e nth

c e nturi e s had a m o n o p o l y o f crus adi ng in p o e try G o e t he .
an d Schi ll e r in G e rm any ; d e Muss e t Vict o r Hug o w ith

, ,
t he R o m anticists in Fr anc e ; W o rds wo r t h at t he he ad o f

'
, ,
t he L ake Sch o o l in Eng l an d s ang an d f o ught s ang t o

, , ,
figh t E l iz ab e th an p o e ts w age d n o wars t he y we r e dis

.
c o ve re rs with o ut be ing in t he re al m o f f ancy b u cc ane e rs

, , ,
as s o m e o f th e m w e r e o n t he Sp anish M ain Thes e o the rs

.
we re inv ad e rs o f e st abl ish e d king d o ms as we r e t he Is rae l

,
ite s o f C an aan Of all t he c o mb at ant p o e t s W o r ds wo rth

.
had s e t hims e l f t he h ar d e st t a s k an d w o n t he m o st sign a l

,
vi c t o ry His h and w as ag ainst e ve ry m an In t he r u d e

. .
b at tl e he d id n o t sh u n t o wo u nd a n atur al all y— a fo re r u nne r ,
l ik e Co wp e r in t he o ns l aught u p o n p o e tic dic t i o n an

, ,
O bs e rve r o f r ur a l l ife l i k e Th o ms o n
,
A f an atic d o ub tl e ss
at o nc e o f w id e vi e w s an d n arr o w ; but it w as he w ho
, ,
t ho ugh in t he p an o p l y o f a C ap t ain ; fighting fo r t he m o s t

p art al o n e t augh t ho w t o re p l ac e p o e tic phr as e s an d
,
c o m m o npl ac e s by p o e tic i d e as cl o the d in pl ain p u re ,
Engl ish wi t h rhy t hm t o m at c hf Ab o ve all i t is t o him

, ,
6 FIVE CE N TURIES OF EN GLISH VERSE
m ainl y t ha t l ite r atur e o w e s t he s o l e mn in augur ati o n o f t he
w o rship o f N atur e .
H e t hr e w d o wn an d he bui l t up ,
Th o ugh u n d o u bte d l y .
he r al d e d by Co wp e r he s u bst anti all y o p e n e d t he n e w age

,
O f Eng l ish ve rs e which c l o s e s fo r us with T e nnys o n Hi s

,
.
f a m o us br e thre n in s o ng m o re o r l e ss unc o nsci o us l y e ve n

, ,
m o c king B yr o n u n de rwe nt his in flue nc e w hi l e t h e y vaunte d

, ,
the ir ind e p e nd e nc e T he l ate r p o e tr y o f t he nin e te e nth

.
c e ntury has b e e n as a wh o l e th o u gh with an ad diti o n o f

, ,
m e l o dy o f hi s h o use an d l in e age H e acc o mp lishe d a gran d

,
.
wo r k in virtue o f sp l e n did p o e tic gifts e xtrao rdin ary phil o ,
s o phic insight an d o bstin ate in do mit ab l e c o ur age As

, ,
.
ne ce ss ary a p ro p e rty fo r him I fe ar w as as fo r m any gre at , , ,
p o e ts an abs o l ute an d in his c as e inn o ce nt inc ap acity

, , , , ,
fo r r e c o gnizing t he e xist e nc e o f singe rs be si de s hi ms e l f .
Is it an inte lli gibl e c o ntradicti o n in t e rms t o s ay th at ,
whi le he w as a d dicte d t o w arm m o r al indi gn ati o n an d ,
a d mir ati o n he had a c o l d h e art ?

,
An abs e nc e o f t he
s e ns e o f hum o ur w as a p art o f his e quipm e nt w hi ch w as ,
pe rh aps e ss e nti al If it b l in de d him t o absur d i t i e s in t he

, .
e x agg e r at i o n o f his critic al r in c i p le s i t a l s st l d hi m

p o e e e ,
ag ainst ign o r ant ridic u l e G all ant l y he flu ng d o wn b e fo re

.
a dve r s ari e s w h o m his inspir ati o n b e wi l d e r e d an d e nr ag e d

,
n o l e ss th an his e cc e ntrici t i e s t he g aunt l e t o f his P e t e r Be ll

, ,
w e at he r c o c k le ss Ki l ve Chi l d l e ss Ti m o thy Exp o s t u l ati o n

, ,
an d R e p l y with dive r s m o r e as st r ang e

,
The n w he n t he ,
p o e t c e as e d t o sing un l e ss t o an inne r circ l e w h at wisd o m ,
s t i ll wh at un de rst an ding o f t he s o u l o f things T he pri e st

,
re m ain e d with t he inhe r e nt s ancti t y w hich had j ustifie d his

,
o rigin al inve stit u r e with t he p o e t s m ant l e W e fe e l hi m

’
.
re ady t o go o n pr o phe sying sh o u l d t he c o m missi o n b e

re ne we d ; bl issfull y unc o nsci o us o f t he p rb b ab le N e ve r .
Lite r ary hist o ry sh o ws fe w m o re p athe tic figure s th an t he

WILLI AM W ORDSW ORTH 7
o ld m an , w he n visibl e withi n t he di minishe d ci rc le o f his

discip l e s a righte o us witne ss an d z e al o t e age r t o d e fe nd ,
t he c aus e o f p o e tic a l t ruth as in yo uth ; with n o f o e s t o

m o c k an d pe rs e c u te him n o n e fo r him t o b an an d burn
c l a d in s ac e rd o t al r o be s ab o ve his arm o u r ; s e e mi ng t o
a c are l e ss un gr ate fu l wo r l d t o b e s acrificing c o ld d e ad
,
-
victims o n a c o l d d e ad alt ar -
.
I c ann o t but re c o gni z e th at t he m ass o f his ve rs e has

c e as e d t o p l e as e T hat is t he c o m m o n f ate o f p o e try in
.
b u lk It m u st b e c o nc e d e d th at t he ru l e appl i e s e sp e ci
.
all y h e r e Ordin ary re ad e rs e ve n w ith a t aste fo r p o e try

.
ar e s atisfie d with a f r ac t i o n o f hi s As i t h appe ns t he fe w .

,
f avo u rite s ar e ge ne rally t he fr u it o f e arl ie r ye ars B ut .
c o mp aris o ns o f age m ay we l l b e o f inte r e st fo r stud e nts o f

l i t e r atur e ; the y d o n o t affe ct t he que sti o n o f abs o lu te
m e rit W he n I am c ho o sing pi e ce s t o m ak e m y o wn an d
.
,
l o ve I d o n o t c o nsid e r d ate s Si mi l ar l y I d o n o t c o nc e rn
, .
mys e lf with W o r ds wo rth s phi l o s o p hy un l e ss so far as it w as

’
t he m o tive fo r a p o e m an d c o l o u rs it
,
As it h app e ne d t he .
,
phi l o s o phy w as o f a kind t o be ar a ve ry inti m ate re l ati o n

t o t he p o e t r y T he sch e m e o f i t w as t he p r e e xist e nc e Of
.
-
spirit in an ange l ic st at e an d its n e w bir t h in t o a n e w

,
'
o rd e r o f N at u r e pr e p ar e d fo r it by t he Divi n e A r chite c t .
T he f abric with its app o int e d c e n t r e an d l o rd w as d e sign e d

, ,
t o b e a d mir a b l y f air an d happy I n all its c o ns t it u e nts f ro m

'
.
,
m an t o b e ast t o t he flo w e r s o f t he fi e l d m o u nt ain an d
, ,
v alle y winds an d w at e rs it w as m e ant t o d e ve lo p by t he

, ,
law o f its be ing int o b e au t y mutu all y gr at e fu l l o vi ng k in d

,
-
ne ss symp at hy sym m e t r y an d har m o ny

, , ,
.
As a thin ke r he s e e ms t o h ave f ashi o ne d fo r hi ms e l f

s o m e s u c h syste m as t his fo r o u r g l o be Be ing a p o e t .
b o rn he w as in t he h abit o f sum m o n i ng inspi rati o n t o

mini ste r t o t he i de a I c an unde rst an d t he f ascin atio n t o
.
8 FIVE CEN TURIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
hi s e el ct discip l e s o f w a tching t he r e l ati o n in his v e r s e o f
t he t w o p o w e r s t h e t w
,
o ch ar a ct e rs A distinc t ch a pt
.
e r
in psych o l o gy might b e de vo t e d t o t he m anne r in w hich
t he t he o r y n o w an d ag ain s u bd u e s i m agin ati o n t o its
s e rvic e n o w an d ag ain t h o ugh m o re in yo uth th an age
, ,
whi l e ans we ring t he s u m m o ns sn atche s u p t he Phi l o s o phe r

, ,
an d c arri e s him n o t w h e r e he
,
but w he r e t he Po e t w o u ld
, ,
.
I t is n o t o u r pr o vince h e re t o inqu ir e w he th e r he we re
pri m ari l y Po e t b e c ause Phi l o s o ph e r o r Phi l o s o phe r b e c aus e
,
Po e t F o r o u r pu rp o s e i t is e n o ugh t o appr e ci ate hi s

.
d o ctrine th at N a t ur e l o ve s t o c l o the all he r w o rk s w ith

b e au t y ; th at she wishe s he r princip al c re atur e m an t o , ,
s e e it ,
e nj o y i t c o mp l e te it ; t o i mit ate he r in l o ve an d
,
go o dne ss t o all ; that he o u ght t o l e arn fro m t he

e xc e ll e nc e — Of Divin e o rigin — in he r an d h e rs ho w c l o s e l y ,
he is l ink e d t o H e ave n W e n e e d n o t t o di sc o ve r t he P o e t
.
,
in hi m e nd e avo ur t o pi e ce t o ge the r a c o mp l e te syste m o u t

,
o f his ve r s e Le t us d e l ight o urs e l ve s with its ch ar m

.
,
whe r e ve r w e fin d i t— n o t qu arr e ll ing w ith t he s we e t n e ss

be c aus e t he h o ne yc o mb m ay b e hi dd e n a m o ng t he b o ne s
o f a d e a d l i o n o f th o u gh t .
T o t ake O ffe nc e at W o r d s wo r th b e c aus e t he phil o s o p he r

in hi m is it m u st b e ac k no w l e dge d ne ve r ve ry far o ff
, ,
'
wo u l d b e t o b anish o urs e l ve s fr o m his kingd o m o f p o e try

alt o g e t he r Id e as vast an d l o f t y ar e c o nst ant l y disc e rnibl e
.
, , ,
wi ll ing t o h o l d al o o f o r appr o ach as t he r e ad e r wi ll Wh e r e,

.
an y o f t h e m insist up o n a ss o ci ating t h e ms e l v e s w i t h t he
m el o dy we l c o m e th e m ; fo r t he c l aim pr o ve s the m an d
,
t he inspir ati o n t o b e o n e Thro ugho ut a mp l e sp ace s o f

.
g ard e n l and whe r e he r e igns t ho ught e ve n fo r t h o s e w ho

-
, ,
d o n o t d e l ve an d mine in it a dds atm o sph e re an d a s e ns e

,
o f mys t e ry W ho c an acc o un t it i ll in a p o e t t hat t o his

.
e ye s N ature is always l o nging t o d e m o nst r at e h e rs e l f t o

WILLIAM W ORDS W ORTH 9
be b o t h d e l igh t fu l an d b e n e fice n t I In a l e gi o n o f inst anc e s

he c o u ld n o t h ave d o n e be tt e r p o e tic all y had he be e n
s e arching fo r be au t y wi t h as l ittl e he e d t o a l e ss o n fr o m
i t as an E l iz abe th an minstre l o f l o ve H e c o ul d h ave .
p ro duc e d n o m o re sp o nt ane o us app ari t i o ns o f m e tric al

s we e tn e ss
Lucy is n o t t he l e ss l yric all y l o ve l y th at she impe rs o n ate s
N atur e s i de a l w o r k m anship
’
T he fl o ating c l ds th ir s tat shall le nd

ou e e
oT he fo h
r t h will o w b nd
r er e e
N o shall he f ail t
r s o se e
E ve n i t h m o tio ns f t he St rm
n e o o
G rac that shall m o ld t h M aid n s f o rm

'
’
e u e e
B y sil nt s ym p thy
e a .
T h s t ars o f midn i g ht s hall b e d ar

e e
To h er a d h shall l an he e a
n s e e r r
n I m any a s e c r t p l ac e e
Wh r ri vu le ts d anc th ir w yward r nd
e e e e a ou ,
n A d b a ty b rn o f m m ring s o nd
e u o ur u u
S hall p ass int o he r f ac e .

1
D o o m t o an e ar l y de ath has n o t t he l e ss p ath o s in it

t h at it m ay e xe mp l ify N ature s s e re ne c o mp o s u re in ’
bringing fo rth flo we r s n o t t he l e ss e xqui sit e that the y wi ll

fade °
S he dw l t am ng t h
e ntro dd n w ys
o e u e a
B id t h springs o f D v
es e e o e,
A M id wh m th r w r n n t o prais
a o e e e e o e e
And v ry f w t o l v e e o e
A vi l t by a m ssy s t n
o e o o e
H alf hidd n fr m t h y e o e e e
aF ir a a star whe n nly e

s , o on
I s hining i n t h sk y
s e .
S h li v d n k n o wn
e e u d f w c ld kn w , an e ou o
W he L cy c a d t b
n u e se o e
uB t h i i h
s e g rav a d h
s n er e, n ,
O ,
T he d ifi e re n c e t o me 1 2
10 FIVE CE N TURIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
He re is an a n al ysis s t age s o f pe rfe ct wo m anh o o d
of t he
Sh w a e P hant o m o f d li g ht
s a e
Wh n first h gl am d p n m y si g ht
e s e e e u o
“
A l v l y App ri tio n s nt
o e a ,
e
T b a m o m nt s o rnam nt
’
o e e e
H er eye s tars o f Twilight f ir

as s a
Lik T wilight s t o o h d sky h ir

e
’
, , er u a
B t all t hing
u ls b t h dr wn s e e a ou er a
Fr m M y tim a d t he ch rful D awn

o a -
e n ee
Ad i g S hap
an c n a Im g gay e, n a e ,
T h nt t o s t r t l
o au a d w ay l y
, a e, n a .
And w I no wi th y e s r n se e e e e e
T h v ry p uls
e e f t h m ac hi ne ; e O e
A B ing b r athi ng tho ghtf l b r ath

e e u u e ,
A Trav ll r be tw n lif a d d th
e e ee e n ea
T h r as n fi r m t h te m pe r at will
e e o , e e ,
E nd ranc f r si g ht s t re ngth a d skill ;

u e, o e , , n
A p rfe ct Wo m n n b l y planne d
e a , o ,
T w arn t o c m f rt a d c o mm and
o , o o ,
n
And y t Spiri t still a d b ri ght

e a ,
n
Wi th s o m thing f ng li c li ght e o a e .
3
With its we alth o f insight it st ands o n a l e ve l ne ithe r , ,
highe r n o r l o we r in p o e tic al e nch antm e nt — sinc e b o th ar e

,
in t h t supr e m e wi t h t he visi o n o f t he u n kn o w n High

a —
l and R e ap e r
B ho ld he si gl i t h fi ld
e r, n e n e e ,
Y on so li tary Highl nd l ss a a
R ping a d sing i g by h rs lf
ea n n e e
St p h r
o g e ntly p ss
e e, or a
Al n h c ts a d binds t h g rai
o e s e u n e n ,
A d sing s a m l nc h l y s t r in
n e a o a
0 lis te n f t h V l e p ro f nd or e a ou
I s o v rfl wing wi th t h s o nd
e o e u .
N N i g hting l di d v r c ha nt
"
O a e e e u
M r w l c o m n te s t w ary b ds
o e e e o o e an
Of t r ve ll rs i s m e shad y hau nt
a e n o ,
Am ng A abi an s nds ;
o r a
WILLIAM W ORDS WORTH 11
A v ic o t hrilli g e so w h rd n ne er
’
as ea
I s p ring t im f r m t h C c k
n -
bird e o e u oo -
,
fl
Br aki g t h sil nc e f t h s as
e n e e o e e
Am ngs t t he farth s t H b rid s

o e e e .
Will o o te ll m what h sings

n ne e s e
P rhaps t h pl aintiv n m b rs w
e e e u e o
F or o ld happy fa ff t hi g s
,
un , r -o n ,
And b att l s lo ng ag e o
O i it s o m e m o re h m b l l y
r s u e a ,
F mili ar m att r o f t o d ay 7
a e
S o m n t ral s o rr w l ss o p ain
e a u o , o r ,
That has b e n d m y b ag in e , an a e a
W hate r t h th m t h M id n s ang
’
e e e e, e a e
As if h r s o ng c o ld h v o e nding
e u a e n
I aw h
s singing t h wo rk er a er ,
And t h si c kl b nding
o er
’
e e e
I lis t n d m o ti o nl ss a d s till
e e , e n
And a I m o nte d u p t h hill

, s u e ,
T h m si c in m y h ar t I b r
e u e o e,
L ng afte r it w as h ard o m o r
o e n e .
4
T he fu ll o rche str a pr o vid e d fo r t he p o e t by his winge d

ne ighb o urs in hi s n at ive d al e s has a wo rl d Of v ari o u s
m e aning fo r hi m Y e t ho w simp l y an d u nsyste m atic all y
.
, ,
s we e t is e ach s e ve r al c ar o l ! T he N igh t ing ale pl ays at

,
s t i rring t he r e s tl e ss b l o o d w hich t he st o c k d o ve w o u l d ,
-
s o o the
0 N ig ht i g l th s re l y t
n a e ou u ar
A c r at r f a fi ry h ar t
e u e o e e
T h s n te s f t hin — th y p i rc
e e o d p i rc e ;
o e e e e an e
uT mult s harm o ny a d fi rcuo u n e e
Th si g s t a if t h G d f win
ou n
’
s e o o e
H ad h l p d t h e to V l ntin e ee a a e e
A s o ng i m c k ry d d pit e n o e an es
Of sh d s a d d ws d sil nt ni g ht
e , an e , an e
And s t dy bliss d ll t h l o ve s
ea , an a e
N o w sl ping i t h ir p ac e f l g ro v s
ee n e e u e .
5
T he S kyl ark t e ache s that l o ve m ay b o th aspir e an d st o o p
E th r al min tr l
e e pilgrim f t h sky
s e o e
D t tho d pis t h ar th whe r c r s ab nd

os u es e e e e a e ou
O whil t h wing s aspir a

r, e e h ar t a d y e, re e n e e
oB th wi th t hy n t p n t h d wy g r nd es u o e e ou
T hy n t whi c h t ho c nst dro p int at will

es u a o ,
Th q iv ring wings c o m p o se d that m si c still

o se u e ,
u
L v t o t h ni g hti g le h
ea e e h d y wo d n a er s a o
A priv acy f gl ri s light i thin

o o ou s e
Whenc e th d s t p o r p n t h w rld a fl o d
ou o u u o e o o
Of harm ny wi t h in tinct m re di vin e

o , s o
Type f t h wis wh s r b t ne v r r o am
o e e o oa ,
u e
Tru e t o t h kindr e d p ints o f H eav e n d H o m l

e o an e
6
T he Linn e t s e e ms t o pr e ach n o t at all but has his l e ss o n ,
t o o — th at N ature c o m m ands t o b e g l ad
O nehav I m ark d t h happ i t g st
e e , e es ue
In a ll t his c v r t f t h b le s t o e o e
H il t th far ab v t h re s t
a o ee , o e e
I j y f v o i c e a d pi i o n
n o o n n
Tho u Lin t 1 i t hy g r n array

,
ne n ee ,
Pr sidi ng Spiri t h r t o d y
e e e -
a ,
D s t l ad t h re v ls o f t he M ay ;
o e e e
And this is t hy d o mini o n .
While bird a d b tt rfli s a d fl w rs s n u e e , n o e ,
M ke all o b and o f p ar m rs
a ne a ou ,
Th ra ging p a d d wn t h b w rs
ou, n u n o e o e ,
Ar t s o l i t hy m p l ym nt e n e o e
A Lif a Pre s nc lik t h Ai

e, e e e e r,
Sc tte rin g t hy gl adn s wi th t c r

a es ou a e,
T o b l e s t wi th a y o
o t p ir n ne o a
Thyse lf t hy o w nj o ym nt '
n e e .
7
Fit c o mp ani o n is he in his ai r y p u l pi t fo r t he j o yo u s

wi l d fl o we rs th at t he p o e t surpr is e d re ve ll ing t o o o n e , ,
spring o n t he sh o re s o f Gr asm e re
A h t f g ld n d ffo dils
os , o o e a ,
B sid t h l ake b
e e th t he t r s
e ,
enea ee ,
Fl tt r i g d d ncing i t h b r z
u e n an a n e ee e.
WILLIAM W ORDS W ORTH 13
Co ntin o u s as t h s tars that shi n e

u e ,
And twi nk le o n t he milky w ay ,
The y s tre tche d in ne ve r nding lin e -

e
Al o ng t he m arg in o f a b ay ;
T e t ho u s and s aw I at a g l anc e
n ,
To ssing the ir he ads i s prightly d ance n ,
T he wav s b sid the m d anc d b

e e e e ut the y
O tdid t h s p arkling wav s i g l e
u e e n e
A p e t c o ld o t b t b e g y
o u n u a ,
I n s c h a j c nd c o m p any
u o u .
8
Uni ve rs al n ature in his c re e d w as de signe d t o r e j o ice an d

, , ,
insists o n r e j o i cing ; but n o inve stitu re with a pr o phe t s ’
m ant le is r e qui r e d t o qu al ify l o ve rs o f inspir e d ve rs e t o

fe e l t he m agic t he e xu l ting h appine ss o f t he str ains in
, ,
which t he Po e t Of N ature pr o cl aims his f aith an d gl o ry in

he r b e au ty an d t e nd e rn e ss .
Co m m o n l y it is p o ssibl e t o b e thus s e nsibl e o f t he s i mpl e

singe r ap art fr o m t he s e e r i W o rd s wo rth n o t always
,
n —
,
.
I c ann o t p re t e n d t o p re ss an in di scri min at e re s o rt t o hi m fo r

t he a mus e m e nt Of an id l e h o u r H e has str ains o f a gr an de ur .
,
a b e auty o f s u b l imity w hic h it s e e ms pr o f an e t o r e h e ars e

,
un l e ss as anth e ms chante d by wo r shi ppe rs with b are fe e t

be fo r e an al t ar Fr o m ho w far away s e e ms t o e ch o t he
.
s o l i l o quy
E ar th has o t anyt hi ng t o s ho w m o re f air ;
n
D ll w ld h b e f s o l wh c o ld p ass by
u ou e o u o u
A sight s t o ching i i t s m aj e ty ;
o u n s
This Ci t y o w d o th like a g arm nt we ar

n , e ,
T h be a ty o f t h m o rnin g
e u il nt b ar e s e , e,
S hi ps t o w rs d m s the tre s d t m ple s lie

, e , o e ,
a , an e
O p n nt o t he fi lds an d t o t he sk y
e u e ,
All b right d g li tte ring i t h sm o ke l ss air

an n e e
m o re b a t iqy ste e p
.
N v r d id s
e e un e u
nI his fi rs t pl nd o r v all y ro c k
s e r hill ; u , e , , o
Ne er
’
c alm so d e e p
s aw I, n v r f lt
e e e , a
riv r glid t h at hi wn swe e t will

T he e e s o
D ar G o d t he v e ry ho s s s e e m a le p
e u e s e
And all t hat mig hty he ar t is ly ing s till 9
Ag ain his is a V o ic e in t he wi lde rne ss w hich n o t affe c t ing

, ,
t o b e ab l e t o cur e t he di s e as e pr o t e sts ag ainst p e r s o n al ,
c o nt a min ati o n by t he pr e vai l ing r e b e ll i o n Of fle sh ag ainst

spirit o f E arth ag ainst He ave n
,
T h w o rld i t o o m u c h wi th u s
e l ate n d s o o n
s a ,
G e tting an d p e nding w e l y w ast e o s p o w rs ,

a ur e
Litt l e w ee i N at re that i o u rs
e s n u s
W h v e g iv e n o
e a he arts away a s o rdi d b o n ur , o
This S a that b are s he b o s o m t o t he m o o n

e r
T h winds t hat will b h wling at all ho rs

e e o u ,
And a e u p g ath re d n o w like sle e ping fl o we rs

r -
e
F r t his fo e ve ryt hing w e a e o u t o f t u ne

o ,
r , r
I t mo ve s s n o t — G re at G d I d rathe r b e ’
u . o
A P ag an s ckl e d i a cre e d o u two rn

u n
S O mi g ht I s t a di ng n t hi s p l e as ant le a
,
n o ,
H av e g lim pse s that w ld m ake m e le ss f o rl o rn ou
H ave si ght o f Pro te u s rising fr o m t he se a

O he ar o ld Tri t o n b l o w hi s wre at hed ho rn
r
1°
List e n fin all y t o t he t w o e m u l o u s spiritu al ri val s fo r

c o ntro l o f W rdsw r t h s s l Th o u ght t he p ro fo un de st
o o o u — ’
Im agin ati o n at its l o ve l i e st— c o al e scing as in t he m ighty ,
Od e int o a l o ng r e s o u nding p e al o f m u sic re a lizing t he

,
-
,
Mi l t o nic visi o n o f Phi l o s o phy c e l e s t i all y h ar m o nio us ,
T he R ainb o w c m s a d g o e s o e n ,
And l o ve ly i t h R se s e o
T he Mo n d o t h wi t h d e li g ht o
Lo k r nd he r whe n t h h av e ns ar e b ar
o ou e e e
W at e rs o a s tarry n i ght n
A e b e u t if l a d f air
r a u n
T h s n hine is a g l o ri o u s bir th
e u s
B t y e t I kno w whe re e r I go
u ,
’
,
That the re hath p ast away a g l o ry fro m t he e art h .

W ILLI AM W ORDS W ORTH 15
Our birth is b t a sl ee p a d a f rge tting

u n o
T he S o u l t hat ri s wi t h u s li fe s St ar ’
u se , o r ,
H ath had e lse wh re it s s e tting e ,
And c o me th f ro m af ar
N o t in e ntire f o rg e tf uln ss e ,
And n o t in u tte r nake dne ss ,
B u t t r ailing c l o u ds o f g l o ry d o w e c o me
F ro m G o d who is o r H o me ,
u
H e ave n li e s ab o u t u s in o r inf ncy u a
S had s o f t he p ris o n ho e b e g in t o c l s
e -
us o e
Up o n t he g ro wing B o y ,
B u t he b h lds t h li g ht an d whe nc i t fl o ws
e o e ,
e ,
H s e e s i t i n his j
e oy ;
T he Y o u t h w ho d ail y f ar th r f r o m t he e as t
,
e
Mu st t rave l s till is N atu re s Prie s t

,
’
An d by t he v isi o n s p l e ndid
I s o n his w ay att e nd d e
A t le ngth t he M an pe r ce iv s it di aw ay e e ,
An d f ad e int o t he lig ht o f c o mm o n d ay .
0 joy that in o u r e m be rs
s me thi n g that do th liv e
Is o ,
T nat re y e t re me m b e rs
hat u
What w as o f g itive s u
The t ho u g ht o f ur p as t ye ars i me d o t h b re e d
o n
Pe rpe t al be ne di ctio n o t inde e d

u n
F r t hat whi c h is m o s t w o rt hy t o b e b l e s t
o
De lig ht a d libe rty t he sim ple c re e d

n ,
Of Child ho o d w he the r b u s y o r at re s t
,
B u t fo r t ho se fi rs t affe ct io ns ,
Tho se shad o wy r e c o lle cti o ns ,
W hi ch be t he y what the y m ay
, ,
Ar y e t t he f o nt ain li g ht o f all o u d ay
e u r ,
Ar e y e t a m as te r li g ht o f all o u s e e ing r
H e nce i a se aso n o f c alm we athe r

n ,
Tho g h i nl and far w b e

u e ,
O ur S o uls have sig ht o f that imm o rtal se a

W hi ch b ro u ght us hi the r ,
Can in a m o me nt t r ave l t hi the r ,

16 FIVE CENT URIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
And se e Childre n s p o rt u p o n t he sho re
t he ,
An d he ar t he mi g hty wat e rs ro l ling e ve rm o re .
And 0 y F nt ins M ad ws Hills a d G ro ve s

, e ou a , e o , ,
n ,
F r bo d
o e t a y s e v ring f o
e no l vs n e o ur o e
Y t i m y h ar t f h art s I f l y o r mi g ht
e n e o e ee u
I n l y hav r lin qu ishe d o n e d e li g ht

o e e
T o liv b n at h y r m o re h b it u al sw ay
e e e ou a .
Thanks t t he h m an h ar t by whi ch w liv

o u e e e,
Th nks t it t nde rn ss it j ys a d f r
a o s e e , s o , n e a s,
T m t h m n t fl w e r th t b l o ws an g iv
o e e ea es o a c e
Th ghts that d fte n li t o d ee p fo t rs

ou o O e o r ea .
11
A c o nse crati o n Of music as in this m ar ve l t o t he e v o lu , ,
ti o n o f abstract t h o u ght m u st in t he n at u r e o f things b e

e xc e pti o n al
. Y e t t he p ur su e r s aft e r m e l o dy m ay fin d
th e ir re war d in e xpl o ring e ve n t he c o l d d ry p l ace s in t he ,
Maste r s phi l o s o phy Grace an d fir e fre que nt l y wi ll re ve al

’
.
the ms e l ve s in un e xp e cte d sp o ts The y l ight u p n o w an d .
ag ain a d o gm atic de fi anc e o f t he int o l e r ant l it e r a ry c an o ns
o f his yo uth l i ke Pe t e r Be ll— t he butt o f B yr o n

,
I v in t hr g h v ry c hang e f l y ar
n a , ou e e u e ,
D i d N at r l ad him a be f o re
u e e s
A p rimr s by a riv r s b rim o e e

’
A y ll w p rimro se w t o him
e o as ,
And it w a n thing m r s o o e .
At no n whe by t he f o re st s dg
o , n
’
e e
H lay b e n ath t h b ranche s hig h

e e e ,
T he s ft b l e sk y di d n ve r m l t
o u e e
Int o hi h rt ; he n v r f l t
s ea e e e
T h wi tch ry o f t h s o ft b l
e sky 1 e e ue
12
An a spiring re fle cti o n wi ll with o u t warning b re ak

ge nt le s o ng
T he b e e s t hat s o ar fo r b l o o m ,
High a t he high st p ak o f Fu rne ss F lls

s e e e ,
Will m rmu r by t h ho u r i f xg lo v b e lls

u e n o e .
W h t m a h m ad f m a
a n as e o n
he r e c o gniz e s w i t h d e l ight th at n e ve rth e l e ss , ,
W h v ll f
e a h m an h r t
e a o us o ne u ea .
H e is g r at e f u l t o N at u re an d t o N at u r e s s o u r c e t h at in
’
, , ,
i mp ro ving e arth s surf ac e into infinit e l o ve l ine ss the y h ave

’
,
n o t n e g l e ct e d t he de ve l o pm e nt Of m an al s o T he r e is .
m any a o n e w ho ,
d m e d t o g i c o m p any wi th P ain
oo o n ,
An d F ar a d Bl dsh d mis r b l e t rain

e , n oo e , e a
T rns hi ne c ity t g l ri s g ain

u s e ss o o ou .
16
H e th an k s He ave n fo r Mi l t o n w h o s e ,
s o l wa like a St ar a d dwe lt ap ar t ;
u s , n
17
fo r Bu rns w ho
,
s ho w d m y y t h e ou
H o w V rs m y b ild a p rinc e l y t hr ne
e e a u o
O h m b l t r th ;
n u e u
18
fo r t he p l o u gh b o y s m e rr y w h o o p ; an d fo r t he st at e l y
’
-
Be gg ar w o m an
-
c r at r a e u e
B a ti f l t
e u — a w d f g l ri
u o se e s f at r ! ee o o ou e u e
19
fo r t he pr o o fs O f h u m ani t y s abi l ity t o r is e sup e ri o r t o

’
f o r tune affo rd e d al i ke by t he R o yal S we d e an d by t he

, ,
l e e ch g athe re r m o t i o n l e ss as a c l o u d o n t he l o ne l y mo o r
-
, ,
I c ld hav l a g h d m ys lf t s c rn t o find
ou e u e e o o
I t hat d c re p i t M a
n fi rm a mi nd
e n so 2°
fo r Spring s b e st o w al o f a t r ain o f fl o we rs
’
mig hty b and a ,
S inging at m y he rt s c mm and ; a
’
o
fo r t he spirit b re ath e d fo r mm in t he w o o ds w hich made ,
t h s o nding c at ar act e u
H a nt him like a p a i n ;
u ss o
an d had j u s t ifie d his p r aye r an d ho p e as he m e di t ate s ,
gr ate fully o n t he ch o i r o f Po e ts
WILLIAM WORDS W ORTH 19
rth h v m d
w ho on ea h irs a e a e us e
Of t r t h u d p r d li g ht by h av nl y l y s
an u e e e e a
Oh mi g ht my n m b n um b r d am ng th ir a e e e e o e s,
Th n g ladl y w ld I d m y m rt l d ys
e ou en o a a .
21
T he r e ar e p o e ts wh o s e w o r k s ar e each a b o dy o f l i t e r a
ture in its e l f an d W o r d sw o rth is o f th e m Th o u gh I h ave .
d ar e d t o t o uch vari o us ke ys in his mighty o rg an I h ave ,
re fr aine d fr o m a h u nd re d m o re With m any a gri e ving .
l o o k b ac k I h ave p ass e d t he Y arr o ws by t he visi o n o f

, ,
t he Gi rl o f I n v e r sn e y d e t he S o nne t s s o nn e t t he o ve r
’
, ,
flo wing music o f B r o u gh a m C astle s w e l c o m e t o its S he p ’
h e r d Lo r d t he high mi nd e d f ar e w e ll t o t he wo ndr o u s
fl
-
,
Po t e nt at e o f E ild o n s trip le h e ight t he d r a m atic f o rc e

’
an d g e n e r o us app e al o f H art l e ap W e ll t he p a t h o s o f t he -
,
i mp ro vis e d r e qu i e m o n de p arte d fe ll o ws in s o ng t he gr ace ,
an d t he p assi o n o f L ao d ami a wi l d o we r Ruth a n d t he,

-
,
go l d e n D u dd o n ch ain with numbe rl e ss t hings o f be au ty

,
an d w isd o m b e sid e s Sing le pie c e s l i ke t he gre at Od e ar e

.
, ,
m at te r fo r e ntire v o lu m e s T o ge th e r t he y re fle c t t he who l e
.
p o e try o f l ife as l ive d an d as i t o u ght t o b e l ive d In

,
.
t h at u nis o n I find in e ffe ct an e xp l an at i o n o f t he c o m m o n

in d i ffe r e nc e t o W o r d s w o r t h s l at e r ve rs e H e mix e d s o
’
.
m u ch o f his s e lf c o m munings t he c o nvi cti o n o f his o bl ig a

-
,
ti o n t o re b u ke r e fo rm an d te ach th at t he Po e t o fte n w as
, , ,
l o st t o vi e w in t he P r e ach e r Is i t t o o m u ch t o ass u m e .
t hat t o it al s o t o t he abs o l u t e id e ntity o f t he m an an d

,
his inspir ati o n t he in d e fi n ab le m agic o f t he e ar l ie r p o e t ry

,
must b e tr ac e d N o whe re in t he Engl ish He l ic o n is it h ard e r

t o tr ac k h o m e t he f ascin ati o n by s o m u ch a s i t is alw ays ,
h ar d e r t o an al ys e an auth o r than his b o o k Wh e n ho w .

,
e ve r i t c an b e d o n e
,
an d is d o ne w he n as in t he m o rning
, , ,
o f l if e,
t he p o e t p o ur e d his who l e s o u l int o hi s ve rs e w h e n ,
he f o ll o we d af t e r e ve r y aspi r ati o n with t he ard o u r o f a

B 2
l o ve r as w e ll as t he p ati e nc e o f a te ach e r wh e n he ar raye d ,
ea ch i n dic t i o n a s l o v e l y a s it is si mp l e I d o n o t w o nd e r ,
th at t he b e st o f t he n ati o n s yo u th r all i e d t o his b u g l e ’
c all Eve n fr o m t he far dist anc e b e l i e ve m e its e cho e s

. , ,
e nch ant L e t a n y s
. u bmit th e ms e l v e s h o n e st l y t o t he sp e ll ,
an d t h e y wi ll u nd e rst and .
T he P tic l W rk f W illi
oe a o s o am W ord w rth s o . Mo x o n 1 84 7
Ed w rd a , .
T hr Y r h Gr w i S
ee ea s s e e n un an d Sh w r (P o e o e m s o f t he I m ag in at i o n ,
2
Lu cy (P Aff cti o e ms Of
VI I I ) t he e o n s, .
3
Sh w Ph t m f D light (P m f t h I m gi ti VI I I )
e as a an o o e oe s o e a na on , .
4
T h S lit ry R p r (M m ri l
e o a f T r i Sc tl d I X )
ea e e o a s o a ou n o an , .
5
T N ighti g l (P m
o a f t h I m g i ti n I X)a e oe s o e a n a on , .
6
T Skyl rk (ib id XXX )
o a a .
, .
7
T h Gr eLi t (P m f t h F cy I X )
een nne oe s o e an , .
3
D ff d il (P m f t h I m gi ti XI I )
a o s oe s o e a na on , .
9
C mp d p W tmi t r Brid g S pt 3 1 802 (M i c ll
o o se u on es ns e e, e
. ,
s e an e o u s
Sonn e t P rt I I x xxvi )
s, a , .
1°
S t (Mi c ll
on n e S t P rt I xxx ii i )
s e an e o u s onn e s, a ,
.
11
I tim ti n f I mm t lity fr m R c ll cti
a on s o f E rly Child h d or a o e o e ons o a oo .
Od t z 2 5 9 d 11
e , s an as , , , an .
12
P t B ll P rt I t z 1 2 d 1 5 (P m f t h I m g i ti )
e er e , a , s an as an oe s o e a na on .
T h E xc r i e B k IV u s on , oo .
14
S im L t h Old H t m on ee,t 1 2 (P m f S ti m t
e d un s an , s . oe s O en en an
R fl cti
e e VI ) on , .
15
Th A fflicti e f M rg r t t 1 1 (P m f on o d d t h Afi t i a a e , s . oe s o un e on e
‘
ec o n s,
XXI V) .
1“
Ch r ct r f t h H ppy W rri r (P m f S tim t d R fl cti
a a e o e a a o oe so en en an e e on ,
XX ) .
17
L d on 1 802 (P m d d ic t d t N ti
on, l I d p d c XI V ) oe s e a e o a on a n e en en e, .
18
At t h Gr v f B r 1 803 t 6 (M m ri l f T r i S c t
e a e o u n s, , s . e o a s o a ou n o
l d II )
an , .
W ritt i M ch d B gg r (P m
en n f t h I m gi ti
ar XVI , an e a s oe s o e a na on ,
an d X VI I I ) .
R l ti
2°
d I d p d
e so u c t 2 0 (ib id XX I I )
on an n e en en e, s . .
, .
P r l T lk t 4 (P m f S tim t d R fl cti X I I I )
21
e so n a a , s . oe s o en en an e e on, .
S A M U E L T AY LO R C O L E R I D G E
1 7 7 2— 1 83 4
W H A T a p o e t but fo r t he m e t aphys ic ian

A p o e t fe e l s ; a m e t aphysici an r e as o ns T he o n e l e aps ; t he
fl
.
o th e r d igs . With o u t i m agin ati o n t he o n e c ann o t br e at he

,
an d t he o th e r c ann o t gu e ss at t he d ir e cti o n o f a v e in o f
t h o u ght B ut fo r t he p o e t it i s l ife fo r t he m e t aphysici an

.
, ,
a sti mu l ant . In t he s am e mind t he t w o te n de nci e s c o n i c t ,
u n l e ss o n e c o ns e nt t o s e rve T o his fri e nds an d t he High

.
gat e circl e Co le ri d ge w as t he m o r e sign al m arve l be c au s e

he unit e d b o th F o r p o st e rity he w o ul d h ave be e n a p r o
.
fo u nd e r phi l o s o phe r had he b e e n l e ss o f a p o e t H ad he .
c o nce rn e d hi ms e l f l e ss wi th t he s o lu ti o n o f m e nt al p ro b le ms ,
he must h ave fi lle d a w i de r n o t a m o re e x al te d sp ac e in

, ,
t he hist o r y o f p o e t r y .
His p o sitive p o e tic al c are e r w as bri e f T he qu antity o f .
his w o r k in t he p e ri o d is m o d e r ate Vir tu all y t he w ho l e.
be ars an u nmist ak ab l e st a mp o f hi gh inte ll ige nc e an d

n o bl e fe e l ing Re l igi o us Musings ab o un d in gr and i m age s
.
an d re fl e cti o ns ; as fo r inst anc e o n t he fo ll y o f h atr e d

, ,
within o ur He ave n l y F athe r s vast hum an f a mi ly ’
N o C in a
Inj r s u ni nj r d— i he b s t im d bl o w
u e u e n r e a
’
Vi ct ri o us m rde r a b lind s i cide

o u u
wi th t he c o nve rse in t he l ine s im m e di ate l y pre c e ding

, ,
which L a mb de c l are d t o b e witho ut a rival in t he wh o l e

c o mp ass o f my po e tic al re ading
Th r e e is m ni pre nt Mind
one M ind , o ne o se ,
Om i fi n H i m t h l y nam i L v
c . s os o e s o e .
Tr th f s bl iming im p r t wi th t h whi c h
u O u o e
W h f d o d s t rat s hi c o ns t ant s l
ee s an a u e s ou ,
H f r m hi sm all p ar ti c u l r r b i t fli s
e o s a o e
Wi th b l e t o tst arting Fr m hims lf he flie s

s u o e ,
’
St nd i t h
a s a d wi t h
n p arti al g aze
e su n , n no
Vi ws ll c r ti o n a d he l o v s it all
e a ea n e ,
A d bl
n i t a d c all i t v r y g o d
e s se s , n s e o
This i ind d t dwe ll wi th t h M s t Hig h

s ee o e o
C he r bs a d r apt r tre m bling S r p him

u n u e- e a
Ca p r s o ne are r t o t h Al mig hty s T hr o ne 1

’
n es n e
an d T he E o l i an H arp in its auth o r s b e l i e f ,

’
,
t he mo st
p e rfe ct p o e m he e ve r wr o te
S c h a s o ft fl o ating wi tche ry o f s o nd
u u
A t wilig ht E lfi s m ake w he n t he y at e v e
s n ,
V y ag e o g e ntle g ale s f ro m Fairy l and

o n -
O t he o n e li f e wi thin u s an d ab r o ad ,
Whi ch m e e ts all m o ti o n an d b e c o m e s it s s o u l ,
A light i s o d a s o u nd li k e p o we r in light
n un ,
-
,
R hythm i all tho g ht an d j o y anc e e ve rywhe re

n u , 1 2
No sub tl e ty t he m o st intric at e d aun t s his Mus e w h e n

, , ,
t he t he me c r o ss e s he r p ath ; n o t e ve n D avi d H artl e y s

’
A e th e r with its
,
fl id im p acts s nc es u s, , e se ,
S lf w rki g t l nc a se d ff ct a d ll
e -
o n o o s, u u e e s, n a
T h s b lind mni ci nt th
o e lmighty l av
o s e s, o se a s e s,
U te nanting c r ti n f it s G d
n ea o o o .
3
A r e ade r st an d s a m az e d at t he m o re th an e q u al c o ur age
t he N e P l us U l tr a
S l e P i t i v f N i g ht
o os e o
Anti p athist f Li ght o
F t s nly sse nc e p rim al s c o rp i n d

a e
’
o e o ro
Th e o
n p e rmi tte d o pp o si t e f G o d
e o
S AMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE 23
C nd e n e d bl ac kn e ss an d abysm al sto rm
o s
C m p acte d t o e s c ptre
o o n e
Arms t he G ras p e no rm
T he Int rc e pt r e e
T he S bs t anc e t hat s till c ast s t he s had o w D e at h

u
T he D r ag o n f o u l an d fe ll
T he u nre ve al ab l e ,
And hi dde n o n e who se b re ath ,
Give s wind an d f u e l t o t he fi re s o f H e ll
Ah s o l e d e s p air
Of b o t h t h e t e rni tie s in H e av e n
’
S o le inte rdi ct o f all b e de wing p raye r -

,
T he all c o m p assi o nat e

-
S ave t o t he Lam p ads S e ve n

R e v e al d t o no ne o f all t h Ang e li c St at e
’ ’
,
S ave t o t he Lam p ads S e ve n ,
That watch t he thro ne o f He av e n 4
N o twit hst an d ing t he e ncr o achi ng w ave s e ve n h e re o f

wr angl ing p o l i t ics t he Od e t o t he D e p arting Ye ar is a re l ie f
,
t o t he br ain with its invo c ati o n

,
O Al bi o n ! O m y m o the r Isl e !
fl
T hy v alle ys f air as E d n s b o we rs
’
, e ,
G li tte r g re e n with sunn y sho we rs

T hy g rass y u p l ands g e nt le swe l ls
’
E c ho t o t he b l e at o f o c k s
T ho se g ras y hills th se gli tte ring de lls
s , o
Pro u dly ram p art e d wi th ro c ks

And Oce an mi d his pro ar wild u
Spe aks s afe ty t o hi island c hild s -

.
H e nc e fo r m any a fe arle ss age

H as s o c i al Q u i e t l o v e d t hy s ho re
N o r e ve r p r o u d inv ad e r s r ag e
’
Or s ac k d t hy t o we rs o r st ain d t hy fi e lds wi t h g o re 5
’ ’
.
,
Ofte n t o o s e nsitive an im agin ati o n s e e ms t o b e s e e k ing

r e f u ge in an y c asu al t o pic fr o m th o ughts l i ke Fe ars in ,
So lit u d e t o o tr o ub l ing T he th e m e m ay b e s i mp l e l an d sc ape

,
.
p ainting mo o r an d f arml an d
24 FIVE CE N T URIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
T he f ru i t like pe rf u me o f t he g o lde n fu r z e
-
Thi s bu rs t o f p ro sp e ct he re t he shad o wy m ain , ,
D im tinte d t he re t he mi ghty m aj e s ty
-
,
Of t hat hu ge am phi the at re o f ri c h

And e lm y fi e lds 6
f o re st sce ne r y wh e re
-
,
b ark wi th d u n -r e d
T he fi r t re e s an d t h u nf re q
- u e nt sl e nd e r o ak
,
e ,
F o rth fro m this t angle wild o f bu sh an d b rake

S o ar u p a d f o rm a me l ancho ly v au l t
,
n
High o e r m e mu rmu ring like a di stant se a ;

’
,
7
an e ffe ct of fr o st at mi dnight ,
with its quie t which m ay b e
fe l t
’
c alm inde e d s c alm that it distu rbs
T is o ,
And ve x e s me di tati o n wi th i t s strang e

And e xtre m sile tne ss Se a hill a d wo o d
e n .
, ,
n ,
Thi s p o pu l o u s vi llag e se a a d hill a d wo o d ,

n ,
n ,
Wi th all t he nu mb e rle ss g o ing s o n o f lif e -

,
Inau di bl e as dre ams 8
a Knight s T o mb c o nj u r e d u p with t he e l e g anc e

’
, of a G re e k
e pigr a m o n a W e stm o r e l and hi ll sid e
,
-
Wh r i t h g rav f Si Ar th r O K lly
e e s e e o r u
’
e n
Wh r m y t h g r v f th t g d m a b Z
e e a e a e o a oo n e
‘
B y t h sid f a p ring o t h b r t f H lv llyn

e e o s , n e e as o e e ,
Und r t h twi g f a y ng birc h tr e

e e s o ou e
T he ak t h t i o mm r w sw t t he ar
a n su e as ee o ,
A d r t le d i t s l v e s i t h f all f t h y ar
n us ea n e o e e ,
An d whi t le d a d a d i
s t h wint r l n n ro r
’
n e e a o e,
I g n — a d t he b ir c h i it s t ad i g r wn
s o e n n s e s o .
T h Knig ht s b o n s a e d t d hi g d w o rd r s t
’
e e r us an s oo s u
,
H i s l i wi th t h
s ou int I t r t
s e sa s, us
9
a picture of a m o the r w ith a n e w -

b o rn bab e
26 FIVE CE N TURIES OF E N G LISH VERSE
but a nightm are wh ich w e ar e g l ad t o fo rge t
,
in t he
sunsh ine o f
An Idyll wi th B o cc acci s s piri t warm o
’
.
Im agin atio n has tr ansp o rte d t he G e o rgi an p o e t f o u r l o ng

c e ntu ri e s b ac k t o a f at e de fying G ar de n an d its f ae ry -
to
T he b rightne ss o f t he wo rld 0 tho u o nc e fre e , ,
And always f air rare l and o f c o u rte sy ,
0 F l o re nc e wi th t he Tu s c an fi e lds an d hills ,
An d f am o u s Arno fe d wi t h all t he ir rills ,
Tho u b right e s t star o f s tar b ri ght I taly 1 -
Ri c h o rnat e p o p l o u s all t re asu re s t hine

, ,
u , ,
T he g o ld n c o rn t he o li v an d t he V ine
e ,
e , .
F air citie s g allant m ansi o n s c astle s o ld

, , ,
And f o re sts whe r b e sid e hi l e afy ho ld

,
e s
T he u ll e n b o ar hat h he ard t he di t ant ho rn
fl
s s ,
A d wh t s hi t u ks ag ains t t he gnarl e d t ho rn
n e s s
Palladi an p l c e with i t s sto rie d halls

a a
F o u t ai s whe re Lo v lie s liste ning t o the ir f alls

n n ,
e
G arde ns whe re i gs t he b ridg it s airy sp an

,
n e ,
And N atu re m ak he r happy ho m e wi th m a es n
Whe re m any a g o rg e o u s fl o we r is d ly fe d u
With it o wn rill n it s o wn Sp angle d b d

s , o e .
Thine all d e light s a d e v ry mu se is thi ne ,

n e
And m o re than all t he e m b rac e an d inte r twin

, , e
Of all wi th all i gay an d t winklin g d anc e n
M id g o d s o f G re e c e an d w arri o rs o f r o m anc e ,
Se e B c ac e si ts u n f o lding o n his kne e s

oc ,
T he n e w f o u nd ro ll o f o ld Mae o n i d e s
-
B u t f r o m his m antl e s f o ld an d ne ar t he he a rt
’
, ,
Pe rs Ovid s ho l y b o o k o f Lo ve s swe e t sm art

e
’ ’
.
17
T he t al e o f Co l e ridg e s achi e ve m e nts in ve rs e is h o we ve r

’
, ,
far fr o m t o l d y e t H e c o u l d d o anything w ith v e rs e

. If .
he did n o t c o mp o s e an e pic w e m ay b e su re it w as n o t ,
b e c aus e he c o uld n o t If hi s fe w s o ngs ar e n o t p e rf e ct music

.
,
SAMUEL T AYLOR COLERIDGE 27
i t is th at he w o u l d n o t sing with o u t thinking H e pro duc e d .
pl ays w hich ar e p o e ms al s o
,
id e al tr ans l ati o ns t he ,
Picc o l o mini an d t he D e ath o f W alle nste in an d — b e sid e s

pr o digi e s w h ich I am h o lding o ve r in re s e rve — thre e gre at
Od e s .
Th at t o Fr anc e ,
a s o l mn m si c o f t he wind
e u ,
is a pr o u d d e cl ar ati o n o f t he supe ri o rity o f his l o yal f aith

in Fr e e d o m t o d is e nch antm e nt by t he gr e e d ine ss o f re ne
g ad e s s e duc e d as had b e e n Fr e nchm e n
, ,
T o m ix wi th King s i t he l w l s t o f sw ay n o u ,
Y ll i t h h nt a d shar t h mu rde ro u s p r y
e n e u ,
n e e e .
N o dithyr a mb o n t he o ve rwh e l ming g l o ry o f A l pine

p e ak s has e ve r surp ass e d in spl e n d o ur o f dicti o n his Hymn
t o Mo nt Bl anc It is i m m ate ri al th at he w as ind e bte d fo r
.
an o ut l in e o f t he p o e m t o an o bscur e G e rm an p o e t e ss .
Th at he had n e ve r s e e n t he m o un t ain o r vall e y g ave

a d d iti o n al fr e e d o m t o his e nthusi asm As it is t he c o n .
,
ce p t io n m o ve s ap art o n a high l e v e l f r o m w h ich it n e ve r
de sce nds
S l s vran f t h V l o e o o e a e
O s tr gg li ng wi th t h d arkn s all t h ni g ht
u e es e ,
A d vi i t d all nig ht by t r p s f s t r
n s e oo o a s,
O w h n th y c lim b t h sk y
r e e wh the y Sink e or en
C m p ani n o f t h m rning star t d w

o o e o -
a a n ,
Thys lf E arth s r sy s tar d f t h d wn

e
’
o ,
an o e a
oC h r ld
- e w k 0 wak a d tt r p rais
a a e, e, n u e e
W h s nk t hy s l s p ill rs d p in E ar th
o a un es a ee
W ho fi ll d t hy c nte n nc wi th r s y li g ht
’
ou a e o
W h o m de t he p re nt o f p e rp t l s t r ms 2
‘
a e a e ua ea
An d y y e
ou,fi e wild t rr nt fi rc ly gl d
v o e s e e a
W h ll d y
o ca f rth f ro m night d tt r d ath
’
ou o an u e e ,
Fr m d rk a d i y c ve rns ll d y f rth
o a n c a ca
’
ou o ,
D o wn th p r ci pi to s bl c k j gg e d R c ks
o se e u ,
a ,
a o ,
F o e v r hat t e d a d t h s am e fo r v r 2
’
r e s r n e e e
lls Y that fro m t h m o nt in s b ro w
Y e ic e -f a e e u a
’
Ado wn no rm o s ravine s sl o p e am ain

e u
T rr nts m thinks th t he ard a mig hty vo i c

o e ,
e ,
a e,
And t p p d at nc e amid th ir m adde s t p l ng

s o
’
o e u e
M ti nl ss t rr nts sil nt c at aracts

o o e o e e
W h m d y o g l ri o s as t he g t s f H ave n
o a e u o u a e o e
B n ath t h k e n f ll m o o n 2 W ho b ad t h s n
e e e e u
‘
e e u
Cl th y o wi th r ainb o ws W ho wi th li ving fl o we rs
o e u ,
Of l o v li t b l e s p r d g rl ands t y o r f t 2
‘
e es u , ea a a u ee
G d o l t t h t rre nts lik e a sh o t o f nati o ns

e e o , u ,
Answe r a d l t t h i pl ains cho G d ! n e e ce -

e , o
19
T he p e rfe cti o n st ate l ine ss th o ugh pitche d t o o e ntir e l y

of ,
in o n e k e y ! Y e t n o t c o mp arab l e e ithe r fo r h arm o ny o r

.
,
fo r t h o ught t o t he Od e t o D e j e cti o n
, Can th at b e give n .
highe r pr ais e t han t h at it is w o rthy t o r an k b e si d e t he

In t im ati o ns o f Im m o rt al ity in t he fo re fr o nt o f phi l o s o phi c a l
ve rs e ! If t he sc o p e is n e c e ss ari l y far l e ss l arge an d as ,
ne c e ss ari l y t he p ro sp e ct is d ar ke r t he n arro we r p l an is as ,
e x act l y b al anc e d ; an y pr o p e nsit y t o rh e t o ric is as we ll
r e straine d T he m e l o d y Of w hic h al o n e I c an in a fr ag
.
, \
m e nt g i ve an id e a is alw ays ad mi rab l e ,
W hat a s c re am
Of ag ny by t o r t r l gt he d
’
o t u e en n ou
That l te nt f rth Th Wind that a t wi tho t

u se o ou , r ve s u ,
B ar c rag e m nt in t irn , bl ast d tr

or ou a -
a , or e ee,
O p in g r v whi th r w o dm n n v r c l m b
r e o e e o a e e o ,
O l n l y ho se l o ng he ld t h wi tc h s h m
’
r o e u , e e o e,
M thin ks w r fitt r instr m nts f t he

e e e e u e or e,
M d L t anis t wh i t hi m nt h f sho w rs
a u o n s o o e ,
Of d rk b ro wn g ard n
a -
d f p ping fl o w rs e s , an o ee e ,
M k t D vils Yul wi t h w rs t han wint ry s ng

a
’
s e
’
e, o e o ,
T h b l o ss o ms b ds a d tim r s l av s m o ng
e , u ,
n o ou e e a .
Th Acto r p rf ct i all tr gi c s nds

ou , e e n a ou
Th mi ghty Po t e v n t fr nzy b ld
ou e , e o e o
W h t t ll t th a w b t2 e
’
s ou n o a ou
‘
T i o f t h r hi g f h t i r u t
’
s e us n o a os n o ,
SAM UEL T AYLOR COLERIDGE 29
Wi t h g r ans f tr m pl d m wit h sm rti g w nd

o O a e en , a n ou s
A t nc th y g r n wi t h p in d h dd r wi t h t h c ld
o e e oa a , an s u e e o
B t h h
u usth i p f d p t il nc
ere s a au se o ee es s e e
And all th t n i f r shing c r wd

a o s e , as o a u o ,
Wi th g r ns a d t r m lo s sh dd rings— ll i v r
oa n e u u u e a s o e
I t t lls n t h r t al wi th s nds l ss d p a d l o d
e a o e e, ou e ee n u
A t l o f l ss affri ght
a e e ,
And t mp d wi th d light e er
’
e ,
As Ot way s lf had f r m e d t h te nd r l y
’
s e a e e a ,
T i s o f a li tt l c hild
’
e
Up n a l n s m wild o o e o e ,
N o t fa f r m h m b t h hath l o s t h w ay
r o o e, u s e er
And o w m o ans lo w i bi tt r g ri f d f ar
n n e e an e ,
A d
n w s c r ams l
no d d ho p s t m ak he r m o th r h ar
e ou , an e o e e e .
20
I re c o gniz e t he t o u ch o f gr e atne ss e ve rywh e re : t he

a b o unding fl o o d o f m aj e stic th o u ght an d i m age ry w hi c h ,
e n r aptur e d fri e n d s an d b e w i lde r e d t he m n o l e ss t han f o e s

, .
It is p o ssibl e t o d iss e ct pi e c e afte r pi e c e an d d e m o ns t r at e ,
t he gr and e ur t he b e au t y ,
B u t t he c o m m o n re a d e r o f .
p o e tr y w ho l i ke mys e l f r e ads p o e ms t o find o u t w hi ch o f

, ,
the m he c an l o ve is n o t dr awn irr e sistibl y b ac k T he s e

, .
n o bl e O de s Hymns Mu s ings S o nn e ts e ve n Epigr ams an d

, , , , ,
j e ux d e sprit ar e n o t in ge ne r al o f t he p o e try wi t h w hich

’
w e c ar e t o l ive An d w hy 2 .
D e fe cts ar e vi sibl e o n t he s ur f ace o f m any Ofte n it is .
pre aching inste a d o f singing Ext r ane o us curr e nts o f .
tho ught ar e pe r mi tte d t o e nc ro ach In d ign atio n in its e lf .

,
right e o u s m ay b e in Opp o r t un e It ro ars wi t h a n o isine ss
fl
.
,
whi ch f atigu e s T he f au l t is as in p e nm ans hi p w he n t he
fl
.
,
upstr o ke an d d o wnstro ke ar e e qu all y d ar k A s u spici o n
fl
.
is e xcite d as in t he Ch a m o uni Pind aric th at t he e ag le is

, ,
flapping his wings t o g ain imp e tus fo r t he i ght he ave n

wards Im agin ati o n its e lf e f o r e sce s into a c o n f using
.
e x u be r anc e — f ancy u p o n f ancy— r e e c t io n u po n re fle c t i o n .
T he c o nge ri e s is r at h e r m at e ri al fo r p o e try th an p o e t ry
i t s e l f Po e ms by o the r w ri t e rs h ave it is tr u e m aint aine d
.
, ,
the ir pl ace in p o p u l ar e stim ati o n in t he f ac e o f dr awb ac k s

a s c o nsid e r ab l e B u t in C o l e ri d g e I c ann o t b u t s u pp o s e
.
that the y gre w o u t o f an e ss e n t i al misc o nc e pti o n by him

o f t he rights o f ve rs e o ve r t he v e r sifi e r Po e try de m an d s .
t he c ho ic e st o f a m an s p o we rs ; if g re at p o we rs t he gr e at e st
’
, ,
an d all o f t he m H e sh o u l d hav e a wi ll an d t he wi ll t o
.
,
m ass t he w h o l e an d th ro w it int o t he lap o f hi s t he m e

,
.
Co l e ridge had n o su ffici e nt since rity in his v o c ati o n n o ,
full c o nvicti o n o f t he sup re m e o b l ig ati o ns o f t he p o e t s ’
m antl e N atu r e had b e sto we d t he gift o f ve rs e up o n him

.
as hi s pr o p e r m o d e o f e xp re ssi o n an d he us e d it as l ight l y
a s he c a m e by it App are nt l y he w as n o t c o nsci o us th at

.
t he r e is ago ny as we ll as raptur e in t he d u e utt e rance o f

such a vo ice A re ad e r l i ke mys e l f is l i abl e t o t he di s
.
t aste fu l fe e l ing th at he has had o ffe re d t o him a s e ri e s o f

e x e rcis e s inst e a d o f insp ir e d m e ss ag e s th at the y re pre s e nt
t he o b e di e nc e o f a m arve ll o us a ss e mb l ag e o f h u m an e n e rgi e s
t o th e i r l o rd an d m ast e r an d n o t t he e mpir e o f his p o e tic
,
spirit o ve r hims e l f .
T he su rpris e is t o t u rn a p age an d b e in a n e w w o rld ,

.
Sudd e n l y with n o au dibl e he r al d t o ann o u nce t he ad ve n t

, ,
Engl ish l ite r atur e f o un d e nshrin e d in it T he Ri m e o f t he

Anci e nt M arine r Chri st ab e l th o ugh de l aye d in p u b l ic at i o n
, , ,
T he T al e o f t he D ark L adi e T he N ighting al e an d —

l
, ,
b e l ate d l i ke Christ ab e l— Ku b Ia Kh an E ach diffe rs in fe e l -

.
ing t ho u ght t o ne rhy t hm fr o m t he re st an d all agr e e in

, , , ,
b e ing gre at s we e t an d s atisfying The Anci e nt Marine r

, , .
is r e m ar k ab l e fo r m o re th an its intrins ic m e rits ; it is

phe no m e n al as b e ing fro m Co l e ridge N e ve r w as the re .
p oe t o r thi n ke r wi t h a f o n dn e ss l i ke his fo r vague ne ss ,
ragge d e nds N o thing o f t h at is he r e n o t o n e incid e nt

.
,
n o r o n e e m o ti o n o u t o f s e as o n an d p l ac e an d t he t e mp t a
,
S AMUEL T AYLOR COLERID G E 31
t io ns t o wan de ring An in finite v ari e ty o f sc e ne ch aracte r , ,
i mpul s e s t e r ro r h o rr o r ro m anc e awe r e m o rs e re pe ntance

, , , , , ,
,
h o pe dis app o intm e nt t he bl issful c al m o f He ave n s p ard o n

, ,
’
an d thr o u gh o u t t he w h o l e a c aptiv ating simp l icity
I kn o w o f n o p o e m w ith m o re o f t he divine e nd o w m e nt
o f n e ve r gr o wing o u t o f d at e n o ne w hich p o ss e ss e s m o re
o f ch ar m al i ke fo r age an d y o uth The m e l o d y o f t he .
fl
d irge sung by s e r aphs in t o ke n o f fo rgive ne ss fo r t he f ate
o f t he M a rin e r s t w o hun dre d shipm at e s h aunts an d e n
’
ch ants I t is l i ke b al m o n an aching wo und

.
Twas o t tho se s o ls that e d in p ain

’
n u ,
W hi c h t o the ir c o r e s c ame ag ain s ,
B u t a t ro o p o f s piri t s b l e s t
F o r whe n i t d awu d— t he y d r o pp d t he ir arms
’ ’
fl
,
And c l st e r d ro u nd t he m ast
u
’
S we e t s o unds ro s sl o wly thro u g h t he ir m o u th

e s,
And f ro m th ir b o die s p ass d e

’
.
Aro u nd aro und e w e ac h sw e e t s o u nd

, , ,
T h n d arte d t o t he Su
e n
S lo wly t he so u nds c am e b ac k ag ain ,
N w m ix d n o w o n e by o e
’
o , n .
S o me tim e s a dro pping fro m t he sk y -
I he ard t h Sky l ark sing e
S o me time s all li ttle birds that a re ,
H o w t he y se e m d t o fill t he se a an d ai
’
r
Wi th the ir swe e t j arg o n ing

And n o w twas like all inst ru m nts
’
e ,
N o w like a l o ne l y fl u t e
An d n o w i t i an ang e l s s o ng
’
s ,
That m ake s t he he ave ns b m t e u e .
y e t s till t he s ails m ad o
’
I t c e as d e n
A ple asant no ise till no o n ,
A no ise like o f a hidde n b r o k o
I n t he l e afy m o nth o f J u ne ,
That t o t he sle e ping wo o ds all n i g ht

Sing e th a quie t tune .
21
H ad t he Rim e st o o d al o ne it must h ave i m m o rtal iz e d
its w rite r ; b u t t he s a m e ye a r o r t w o which pr o d uc e d it
b ro ught t o l ight t he e arl ie r an d m o re i mp o rt ant p o rt io n
o f Chr ist ab e l T hat is a p o e m fo r p o e ts Y e t T he An cie nt
. .
Marine r w hich might h ave b e e n s u pp o s e d m ade t o c o mp e l

,
p o p u l ar admi rati o n lay p ractic all y sti ll b o rn u nti l t he

,
twin inspir at i o n printe d nine te e n ye ars l ate r c all e d it

, ,
into ac kn o wl e dge d l ife The t w o r e s e mb l e o n e an o the r in

.
no thing e xc e pt l o ve line ss T he vari e ty w hich di stinguishe s .
Christ abe l has n o affinity t o th at o f its c o e v al in birth

Eve ry d ive rs e curre nt in T he Anci e nt Marine r s e ts t o w ar ds
o n e in e vit ab l e e n d In Chr ist ab e l the re is n o n e c e ssity t o
.
wo r k in an y give n di re cti o n N e ve r had a rich an d c ap rici o u s .
f ancy m o re l ib e rty N e ve r di d app ar e nt tr ust in ch ance

.
be t te r j u stify its ind e pe nd e nc e F ancy rul e s as ir r e sp o n .
sibl e as t he s waying o f a l e afy b o u gh The re s u l t is h arm o ny .

,
n e ve rthe l e ss ; p e rfe cti o n in th o u ght i m age s n e w an d , ,
f ascin ating fle xibi l ity o f rhythm .
It might al m o st b e Supp o s e d t hat t he p o e t w as im p r o

vi sing ,
an d as u nc e rt ain a s his audi e nc e o f e a ch n e xt
music al e ffe ct t i ll it c a m e
It m d n r n ar a b
o an
’
as ea as e c n e,
B t what i t i h c n t te ll
u s s e a no .
O th
n th r sid i t s e ms t b
e o e e e o e
Of t h h g b r d b r s t d ld
e u e, k tr oa - ea e , o oa ee .
T h ni g ht i c hi ll
e t h f r st b r s e o e a e
I i t t h wind t hat m
s e th bl k o an e ea
Th r i t wind e no gh i t h i
e e s no u n e a r
T m v
o w y t h rin g l t c rl
o e a a e e u
Fr m t h l v ly l ady s c h k
o e o e
’
ee
Th r i t wind n gh t twirl
e e s no e ou o
Th e on
e d l af t h l as t f i t c l n
re e , e o s a ,
Th t d nce s a ft n d anc it
a a s o e as e c an ,
H ngi g li ght d h gi g hi gh
a n so ,
an an n so ,
O t h t p m s t twi g t hat l o ks p at the sk y

n e o o o u .
be s t i l l w an t ing o f t he p e rfe cti o n o f Christ ab e l i t is t hat ,
t rue criticis m has n e ve r re gre t t e d its inc o mp l e te ne ss W e ll .
t hat it r e m ains a t o rs o inc o mp ar ab l e

I ha v e c l ass e d w ith t he m thre e o t he r p o e ms an d the y all
d e s e rve t h e ir e min e nce First m u st st an d t he wo n dro u s .
Visi o n— l i ke Christ ab e l a fr agm e nt Exe cr ab l e unp ar d o n

,
.
,
ab l e
,
t he busine ss p e rs o n fro m Po r l o c k w ho sti fle d t w o
hu nd r e d o r m o r e g o l d e n dr e a m l in e s o f Ku b la Kh an A - -
gr e at m aste r o f ficti o n an d a p o e t t o o as w e w alke d up

, ,
t he hi ll at t he f o o t o f w hich al as ! he n o l o ng e r dwe ll s , ,
o nc e t o l d m e th at he r an k e d Ku b la Kh an high e st a m o ng -
Co l e ridg e s p o e ms It w as a p ar ad o x th o ugh s o far l ite r all y

’
.
,
t rue th at t he dre a m e r o f such a d re a m is d e m o nstr ate d

t he re by t o h ave had p o e try in his ve ry b l o o d
T he m e l o dy bubb l e s d ance s r e ve l s l a m e nts an d , , , ,
thre ate ns
B ut that d e e p r o m anti c c hasm whi c h slante d
oh
D o wn t he g re e n hill athwart a c e darn c ve r o
A s av age pl ac e a ho l y an d e nchante d s
As e e r b e ne ath a waning m o o n w as haunte d

’
B y wo m an w aili ng fo r he r d m o n l o ve r e -
And fro m this c hasm wi t h c e ase le ss tu rm o il s e e thing , ,
As if t his e arth i f ast t hi c k p ant s we re b re athing

n ,
A mi ghty f o u nt ai m o me ntl y w as f o rc e d n
Amid who e swift half int e rmi tte d b u rst

s -
Hu g e frag m nt v a lte d like re b o ndi n g hail

e s u u ,
Or c haffy g r ain b e at h t he thre she r s fl ail ; ne

’
An d mi d t he e d anci g r o c ks at o nc e a d e v e r
’
s n n
I f fl ng u p m o m t ly t h s ac re d ri v e r
u en e .
F i e mi le m e and ring wi t h a m azy m o ti o n

v s e
Thro g h wo o d a d d ale t he s acre d rive r an

u n r ,
The n e ach d t h c av e rns m e a re le ss t o m a

r
’
e su n ,
A d ank i t m l t t a li f e l e s c an
n s n u u o s o e
A d m id t hi t mu l t K b la he ard f r o m far
’
n s u u
Anc e stral v o i c e s p ro phe ying w ar s

24
By t urns it fall s an d ag ain ris e s int o an Abyssini an , , ,
maid s s o n g o f Mo unt Ab o ra with p al ac e s bui l t o f sun

’ ‘
shine o ve r c ave rns o f ic e an d yi e ld ing de l ights ine ffab l y

, ,
s e d uctive an d p e ri l o us .
A dizzy singing tr anc e ! Y e t har dl y le ss o f c o m m o n .
d ayl ight t e xtu re th an t he e xquisite Co nve rs ati o n al Po e m ,
with its rival ri e s o f m any n i ghting ale s a mid t angle d wi l d

wo o d s inte rp re te d in b l an k ve rs e ho ne y s we e t
,
-
F ar an d n ar e ,
In w o d d thi ck t o v r t he wid g r v
o an e , e e o e,
The y nsw r d p r v k e ac h o th r s s ngs

a e an o o e e
’
o ,
Wi th skirmish a d c p ri cio s p as gi g n a u sa n s,
And m rm rs m si c al a d swift j g j g
u u u n u u ,
And o l w pi p ing so nd m re swe t than all

ne o u o e
Stirring t h ai wi th su c h a harmo ny e r n ,
That sho ld y o c lo se y r e yes y u mi g ht almo s t

u u ou , o
Fo rg t it w as n o t d y On m o nlight b she s
e a o u ,
W h s d wy le afit a e b t half disc l se d

o e e s r u - o ,
Y may p r c hanc e b h ld t h m n t he twi gs

ou e e o e o ,
Th ir b right b rig ht y t he ir ye s b o th b rig ht a

e , e es, e nd
Gliste ning while m any a glo w w rm i t h shad

,
- o n e e
Li g hts p he l o v t o rc h u r e- .
A m st g ntle Maid o e ,
W h dwe lle t h i h ho s pi t ab l e h m
o n er o e
H rd by t he c astle a d kn ws all the ir n te s

a ,
n o o ,
Wh t time t h m o o n wa l s t b hind a c l d
a e s o e ou ,
H ath he ard a p a s o f sil nc e till t he m o n u e e o
E m rgi g hath aw ak d rth a d sky ’

e n , en ea n
With n e s ns ati n d tho se wak fu l birds

o e o ,
an e
H ave all b rst f rth in c ho ral minstr lsy u o e ,
As if s m s dd n g al had swe pt at nc
o e u e e o e
A h ndr d airy harps An d he hath w at h d

u e s c
’
Many a n ightin g al p rch giddi ly e e
O b l o sm y t wi g s till swinging f r m t he b re e z
n o e,
And t o that m tio n t ne hi want n s ng o u s o o ,
Lik ti p y j y t hat r ls wi th t ssing h ad

e s o ee o e .
25
. 0 2
As wo r t hy s t i ll o nc e m o r e o f a p l ac e in t he hi e rarchy
, ,
o f s o ng ,
is t he Intr o d ucti o n t o t he B all ad o f T he D ar k
L adi e T he b all ad li ke Christ abe l is a fr agm e nt ; b u t
.
, ,
t he pr e l ud e o n t he v a ri e ty O f minist e rs th at Lo ve c an
,
e n l is t — e ve n a s o ft an d d o l e fu l air an o ld and m o ving ,
st o ry is as c o mp l e te in be auty an d c o l o ur as a r o s e
—
All im p l s s l d n
u se of ou an se se
H ad t h ill d m y g il l ss G n vi v
’
r u e e e e e e
T h m si c a d t h d l f l t l
e u n e o e u a e,
T h ri c h a d b alm y v ; e n e e
And h o p s d f rs th t ki dl h pe
e , an ea a n e o ,
An ndisti g i h b l thr ng
u n u s a e o ,
And g e ntl wi hes l ng s b d d e s o u ue ,
S b d e d a d h ish d l o ng u u n c er
’
S h w pt wi t h pi ty
e e d d lig ht an e ,
Sh b l h d wi t h l v e a d virgin s h m e
’
e us o ,
n a
And l ik th m rm r f a dr am
,
e e u u o e ,
I h ard h b re ath m y nam e er e e
fl
.
He r b s m h d— h t e pp d sid
’ ’
o o e av s e s a e,
As c ns ci s f m y l k h t p p d
o ou o oo s e s e
’
The n s d d e ly wi t h tim o r s y
u n ,
'
ou e e,
S he d t o m e a d w pt e n e .
S h hal f inc l s d m wi th h
e arms o e e er ,
d m e wi t h a m k m b rac
’
Sh p e r e ss ee e e
A d b nding b ac k h h ad l k d p
’
n e er e , oo u ,
A d g az d p n m y f ac n e u o e .
’
Twas p artly l v a d p artly fear o e, n ,
And p art ly twas b ashf l t ’

a u ar ,
That I mi ght rath r fee l th n e e a se
The sw lling o f he he art e r .

26
Co l e ridge s c are e r as a wr i t e r o f p o e try te rmin ate d by

’
t he t im e he w as t hir t y T he b o dy o f his p o e tic al wo r k

.
is c o mpris e d within t hr e e t o fi ve ye ars H ad he di e d in .

1 802 , fte r t he c o mpo siti o n o f t he Od e t o De j e c t i o n he

a ,
wo uld h ave l e ft t he wo r l d o f p o e try as rich as w he n he

fin ally de p arte d As a thinke r he s u r v ive d an d re igne d
.
, ,
fo r t hi rty t w o ye ars m o r e -
Inspir ati o n c e as e s fo r m o st in .
midd le l ife Fe w o nc e inspire d ce as e whi le the y b re athe

.
, , , ,
fro m ve rsifying The y ve rsify be c au s e ve rs e w as wo n t t o

.
b e th e ir highe st m e nt al m e d ium an d instrum e nt Co l e .
ridge whe n n o l o nge r mind e d t o wri t e Anci e n t Mari ne rs

,
an d Chr ist abe l s had an alte rn ative H e re m aine d an

, .
inte lle ctual au t o cr at an d pr o c e e de d t o u t i l ize his o the r ,
gift as a sugge ste r o f pr o b l e ms a s e t t e r o f t e xts If

, , .
l ite r ature c anno t b e s aid t o h ave be ne fite d by t he so lilo

q u i e s a t H i ghg a t e a t l e a s t i t has g ain e d n e g a tive
,
l y by t h e
e sc ap e th ro ugh th at s afe ty v a l ve fo r i m agin ati o n fr o m t he -
d ange r o f a di l uti o n o f p o e t ic gre atne ss H aving t aste d .
o f C o l e ri d ge s be st w e sh o u l d all o f us h a ve be e n gri e v o us
’
su ffe re rs had we be e n o bl ige d t o pu t up wi t h aught l o we r .
Be tte r n o thing if n o m o re o f Christ abe l o r he r pe e rs ,
P t i c l d Dr
T he oe a an am a tic W rk o s of S a mu e T a l yl r C l rid g
o o e e. F r o u
v l B M Pick ri g
o s . . . e n , 1 87 7 .
R lig i
1
M i g
e o us us n s, vo l . i, pp 9 3 —4 . an d Lam b to C l ridg
o e e,
Dec . 1 0, 1 7 9 6 . M e m o ials r o f Ch rl L a es am b by
, T alfo u r d . M x o on ,
1 85 0, p . 59 .
3
T he E o lianH p ar .
3
T h D ti y f N ti
e es n o a o ns .
N Pl
e Ultr (Si bylli L v )
us a ne ea es .
5
Od t t h D p rt i g Y
e o e e a n e ar .
3
F a i S li t d
e rs n o u e .
7
T h Pict re u e .
8
Fr t t Mid ight
os a n .
T h K ig ht T m b (S i by lli L v )
9 ’
e n s o ne ea es .
A Ch i tm C r l (Si bylli L v )
r s as a o ne ea es , st . 3 .
N m a (S i byll i
es L v ) ne ea es .
1“
Fir F mi e, d S l g ht r
a n e , an au e .
‘3
T t h A th r f t h R bb r
o e u o o e o e s . K o sci u sko S o n n e ts
, , V .
15
T h T hr e G r v s (Sibylli Le v )
ee a e ne a es .
N
T h G rd e f B cc acc i
a en o o o .
Fr c
an e Od t z 1 4
an e . s an as , .
Hym b f r S ri i t h V l f Ch mo u i (S ibylli
n e o e un se n e a e o a n ne v
Le a es )
D jcti
e e a
on : Od (Si bylli L av )
n e ne e es .
T h R im
e f t h A ci t M ri r P rt v
e o e n en a ne , a .
Chri t b l P rt i
s a e , a I bid .
23
.
K b l Kh
u a a Vi i
an i a Dr m
o r, s on n ea .
T h N ighti g l
e C v r ti l P e m
n a e a on e sa ona o .
Th B ll d f t h D rk La d i I tr d cti
e a a o e a e, n o u on .
RO B E R T S O U T H E Y
1 7 7 4— 1 84 3
I W A S br o ugh t u p t o re g ar d S o u t he y as t he pe e r o f
Co le ridge W o r ds wo rth B yro n She ll e y an d Ke ats ; n o t
, , , ,
ne ce ss ari l y the ir e qu al in d e gr e e b u t who ll y wo rthy ,
t o b e r an ke d a m o ng th e m As a scho o l bo y an d as an .
,
u nd e r gr a du at e I re a d hi m with r e spe ct in s o m e s o rt wi t h
, ,
a d mir ati o n Whe n I be c a m e e ntit l e d t o cho o s e Co lle ge

.
prize s a c o ll e cti o n o f his p o e ms w as in my l ist My

,
.
c o nte mp o r ari e s wo ul d n o t h ave s e l e cte d him ; t he y did

n o t t hin k m e e cc e ntric fo r my pr e fe r e nc e I h ave s u r .
v i v e d t o find him u tte r l y o u t o f d a t e sc arc e l y pl ace d o n ,
an u pp e r sh e l f wi t h t he G e o rgi an c l assics Eve n I mys e l f .
had c e ase d t o r e a d hi m sinc e my Unive rsi t y d ays u n l e ss ,
whe n I wishe d t o a mus e my c hi l dr e n wi t h o n e o f his bal l ad s .
Gho sts o f o ld ass o ci ati o ns s e e m e d t o r u s tle d o wn ab o u t

'
m e l i k e last y e ar s l e ave s fr o m a wind t o ss e d b e e ch tr e e

’
- -
,
in e ar l y spring as m o re re ce n tl y I t urne d o ve r t he m any

,
p age s t o try t o disc o ve r w hy hi s ve rs e w as cu rre nt o nc e ,
an d n o l o ng e r p ass e s .
T he tid e o f n e g l e ct e ve n has r e a c he d if n o t t o t he f u ll ,
e xt e n t ,
t he ar e a o f his v e rs e in w hic h he is indi sp u t ab l y
a m a ste r F e w Eng l is h p o e t s ar e his e q u al s ve ry fe w hi s
.
,
s u p e ri o rs in hu m o u r Hum o u r v ari o us an d singu l ar at o nc e

, .
N e ve r m e r e fu n b o rn wi t h a l au gh an d e x piring in a y awn
, , .
Po e try al s o t ho ugh with s e n t im e n t n o t u nbe c o mingly

,
o btr u sive Ab o ve all an infinite c ap acity fo r inve n t ing

.
,
o cc asi o ns fo r its e l f tho ugh fr o m s u bj e ct m atte r t he m o s t

,
-
u n l i ke l y . T o give i ns t an c e s o u t o f m any as r e m a r k ab l e ,
t he o pp o r t u ni t y m ay b e supp l i e d by a h e npe c ke d C o rnish
m an w h o s e b rid e had u nf air l y t ak e n t o t he church a b o t tl e
,
o f t he d o mini o n e ns u ring w at e r -
w hich he race d fr o m t he ,
a lt a r t o b e firs t t o d r in k a t t he W e ll o f St K e yn e I t m ay
1
. .
b e t he n a t u r al anxi e ty o f pi o u s c o u n t rym e n t o s e c u re fo r
t he ir vi ll age by tim e l y p re limin r ie s s u ch as a d e athbe d
,
a —
—t o B e at ific at i o n t he r e lic s o f a S aint d e sign ate w h o m -

, ,
n e ighb o urs mig ht o the rwis e c o ax away in l ife A m o t h e r s

2
.
’
f re nzy o f angu is h fo r he r chi l d d e vo u re d by a cr o c o d i l e

sugge s t s a sc e n e o f r e ve nge in ki nd as e quit abl e as it is ,
irr e sis t ibl y c o mic A flo we r o f s mi l ing s ati re springs un de r

3
.
t he p o e t s p e n fr o m t he fie ld o f Bl e nh e i m w at e r e d w i t h
’
t he b l o o d o f m u rd e r e d myri a ds
W hy t w v ry wi c k d t hing ’
, as a e e
S id li ttl Wil h lm in
a e e e .
N ay y m y li tt l g
, irl q nat h h , e ,
’
uo e,
It w f m vi ct ry as a a o us o
4
The t h e m e m ay b e a P o p e s u n t o l d m o r t a l sin wi t h a
’
S ain t s g all o p o n S at an s o w n unwi ll ing b ac k t o c o nfe ss

’ ’
a n d a bs o l ve o r a r o bb e r s r e l e as e fr o m a n d r e st o r a t i o n
5 ’
,
t o his l a wf u l gibbe t E ach is m a d e t o yi e l d t he be s t o f

.
6
dive rsi o n H al f a c e nt u ry ago e ve ryb o dy r e ve ll e d in t he

.
wi t o f T he D e vi l s W a l k 7
Th e r e w e re fe w w ho had n o t
’
b o t h s hu dd e r e d an d l au ghe d o ve r Arc hbis ho p H at to an d

his r at s an d t he g all an t fu t i l e figh t wi t h he r r e giste r e d
8
, ,
p u rch as e r t he Arc h Fi e nd o f T he O l d W o m an o f Be r ke l e y
,
-
,
in he r ir o n s e al e d an d c h aine d c o ffin hymn e d an d h all o we d

-
by fif t y Cho ris t e rs an d fif t y Pri e s t s w i t h fo r s e ntine l s he r , , ,
s o n a m o n k an d he r d a u gh t e r a n u n
,
I h c m wit h y
n e a f fl m
e e es o a e
T h D vil t f tc h t h d ad
e e o e e e ,
A d ll t h C h r c h wi t h hi p r
n a e nc g l w d u s e se e o
’
,
Lik fi ry f r ac d e a e u n e re .
an d pe rh aps u ngr ate fu l The m ass o f S o u the y s wo r k di s
.
’
p l ays qu al iti e s which we r e appr e ci at e d o nc e an d m ay p l e ad ,
fo r s o m e r e c o gniti o n sti ll In t he fir st p l ac e hi s wo rk m an
.
ship is e xce lle nt with e xc e pti o ns n atu r all y ; e spe ci all y , ,
o f t he p u r ve y anc e o f C o u rt l y o r p atri o tic a du l ati o n such

a s A Visi o n o f Ju dgm e nt o r t he int o l e r a b l y dr e ar y P i l ,
grim age t o W ate r l o o Jo an o f A r c is a sp aci o u s ch apte r

.
o f hist o ry wi t h t he rightfu l pr o p o rti o n o bs e rve d with

, ,
a t r u e instinct o f r o m anc e t o f a ct
,
In t he t w o Mad o cs .
,
in W al e s an d in Azt l an he had t o trust e nti re l y t o his

, ,
f ancy fo r t he ge ne r al sche m e as we ll as fo r d e t ai l s T he
, , .
wh ol e is harm o ni o u s l y pr o b ab l e R o de ric k t he L ast o f .

,
t he G o ths ag ain is l i ke Jo an an a d mi r ab l e sp e ci m e n o f
, , , ,
hist o ric al j o in e r y by a r o m anc e r with a c o nsci e nc e A l m o st .
e ve rything a ll e g e d t o have happ e n e d had h app e ne d o r ,
might h a v e h app e n e d Th o u gh l ibe rti e s ar e t ake n with

.
e v e nts an d th e i r o r d e r t he p r o p e rti e s ar e inv a ri ab l y c o r

, ,
r e ct as is t he sce ne ry It is i mp o ssibl e t o l ive in t he

,
.
s e ve r al n arrative s wi t h t he i r ch ar acte rs an d t he s e ntim e nts ,
a t tribut e d t o t he m w i t h o ut b e ing t he b e tt e r fo r t he s o ci e ty
,
.
T he n stu d y t he c o u p le o f Asi atic e pics ; an d a d mir e

,
t he int re pi di t y with w hich t he p o e t p lung e s int o a n e w

w o r l d Thr o u gho ut t he y ar e pic t ur e squ e an d g o rge o us l y
.
,
c o l o ur e d R e ally i t is h ard t o u n de rst and t he pre s e n t

.
co l dn e ss t o w ards A r abi an N ights Ent e rt ainm e n t s s u ch a s

t he s e T hal ab a hi ms e l f i t m ay b e o bj e cte d l ac k s in t e re st
.
, ,
.
In that he o n l y r e s e mb l e s m any an o the r he r o an d t he

vivacity o f his a dve ntur e s at o n e s At all e ve nts t he crim e .
,
c ann o t b e i mpute d t o t he s t o ry o f Ke ham a .
I t w as n o o rdin ary i m agin at i on whic h— th o u gh g u id e d

p e r haps by t he R ap e o f Lu er e c e — e x t r acte d s atisf ac t i o n
‘
o f i mp l a c ab l e r e ve nge f u l n e ss o u t o f a C ain l i k e br and o f -
s e curity fo r its abh o rr e d o bj e c t fr o m e ve ry pe ri l t o l ife

RO B ERT SOUTHEY 43
I c harm t hy li fe
Fr o m t he we ap o n s o f s tri fe ,
Fr m s to ne a d f ro m wo d
o n o ,
F r o m fi r e a d f ro m fl o o d
n ,
Fr o m t he se rpe nt s to o th ’
And t he b e ast s o f b l o d o
F ro m Si c kne ss I c harm the e ,
And Time shall n o t harm the e

B u t E arth whi c h is mi ne ,
I t s f ru i t s s hall d e ny the e
And Wate r shall he ar me ,
And kno w the e a d fly the e n
An d t he Winds s hall n o t t o u c h t he e
W he n the y p ass by t he e ,
And t h D e ws h ll o t we t t he
e s a n e,
W he n the y f all n i g h thee

An d t ho u s hal t s e e k D e ath
T o re le as t he e i v ain e, n
Th u halt li ve i t hy p ain
o s n
While Ke hama shall re ign ,
Wi th a fi e in t hy he art
r ,
An d a fir e i n t hy b rai n
An d S le e p shall Ob e y m e ,
And vi si t the e ne ve r ,
An d t he C u r se shall b e o n the e
F o r e v e r an d e ve r .
10
T he e ntire t e xture m ay n o t re ach t he s a m e high s t and ard .
But all t he acto rs m o ve in an atm o sphe re o f p o e tic p assi o n .
I t inve sts t he King o f t he W o rld an d his vi ctims al s o I t

,
.
circul ate s ab o u t t he ghas tl y figur e o f his d e a d bru t ish so n .
Eve rything is o n a gr and sc al e fr o m t he ins ati abl e am

b it io n o f t he migh t y R aj ah t he pur s u i t o f inn o c e nt
K aily al by t he h o rribl e Sp e ctr e c a rn a l t ho u gh a gh o s t
, ,
o f s l ain Ar v alan t he h all o f R o y al De ath in t he p e e rl e ss

p al ac e an d gard e ns ,
W he re B ly h ld f ld hi wf l r ign ;
a e o o s a u e
t o t he c l im ax t he st o rming H ll its lf by
,
of e e t he M an Go d
-
,
t he M an A l mighty his chi e f an d f at al c o nqu e st

-
,
.
O t he r k e ys be sid e s t he h e r o ic ar e t o uche d by S o uthe y

t he m arve ll o u s an d t he s o r d id l y cri min al as in t he o nc e ,
f a m o us Mary t he Maid o f t he Inn a h aun t ing h o rr o r

,
— 11
.
I f ai l t o re c o gniz e t he m agic al r e s e rve t he pe nsive ch arm , ,
o f Co ll ins s Ev e ning in T he First o f D e c e mbe r

’
Wh n N t r shr ds he rs l f e ntranc e d
e a u e ou e ,
I d p tr nq illity n ee a u .
12
H ann ah s gr ave h o w e ve r whe r e n o n e

’
, ,
W h tr d p n t h
o o ns le t rf w ld thi k
u o e se e ss u ou n
Of w hat w rld f wo s l y b ri d t h r
a o o e a u e e e,
13
vi e s with T he Paris h R e giste r an d T he B o r o u gh in t he

p o we r t o e l ici t an a crid fr agr anc e fr o m t he grim e o f sin
an d i t s s o rr o w Wi t h a sw e e t simpl icity he w e l c o m e s t he
.
re turn o f tr av e ll e rs t o t he ir ho m e an d chi ld re n 1 4 He .
pre c e d e d T e nnys o n in t he disc o ve ry o f t he d o m e stic i d yll ,
a s The O l d Mansi o n H o u s e t e st ifi e s 15
If o n l y his be st
-
.
s u gge ste d e x a mpl e s had be e n gi v e n t o t he w o r l d he migh t ,
h ave w o n c e l e bri t y fo r Inscrip t i o ns— fre e all fr o m t he , ,
be s e t ting sin o f p ro misc u o us a d ul at i o n— l i ke t h at i m agine d

fo r a m o n u m e n t t o r u t h l e ss Piz arr o
A gre t r n m a e a e
T h li t f G l ry b o a t
e s o t o s s no .
Thank t h G d e o
W h m d tho a th t th ar t t s c h a h
e ee , a ou no u s e .
16
Whe n in t he Par a dis e o f hi s b o o k s it wi ll n o t b e dis ,
p u t e d th a t at l e as t t he s ha d o w o f inspir ati o n fa ll s u p o n hi m
M y d ys m ng t h D d
a a p t o e ea ar e as
Ar nd m I b h ld ou e e o ,
W h r r th c al y
e e e
’
ca t e se as u e e s ar e s ,
T h mig hty mind e f ld s o o
M y n v r f ili g f ri nd
e e th y
- a n e s ar e e ,
Wit h wh m I c v r d y by d y o on e se a a .
RO B E R T S O U THE Y 45
Wi t h th m I t k d li g ht i w l
e a e e n ea ,
And s e k r li f i w ; e e e n oe
And whil I nd r t nd d fe e l
e u e s a an
H w m c h t t he m I w
o u o o e,
My c h ks hav ft n b ee n be d w d
ee e o e e
’
With t rs o f t h ghtf l gr tit d

ea ou u a u e .
My th ghts ou wi th t h D ad wi t h t he m
ar e e e ,
I l iv i l ng p s t y ars
e n o -
a e ,
T h ir virt s l v th ir f a l t c nd mn
e ue o e, e u s o e ,
Part k th ir h p s d f ars
a e e o e an e ,
And f r m th ir l sso s e k a d fin d
o e e ns e n
Instr cti o n wi th a h m bl mind

u n u e .
My h pe s o wi th t h D ad an n
ar e e e , o
My pl ac wi th th m will b e e e,
A d I wi th t h m s h ll t rav l
n e a e on
Thr gh all F t rity ;

ou u u
Y t l av in g h r a
e e m I tr st e e na e, u ,
That will t p ri h i t h d t no e s n e us .
”
So t o o whe n he l if t s his Mu s e in t o pure r air an d l u ll s

, , ,
t he t err o rs o f Ke ham a s victims by r e mind ing o f t he i m

’
m ort al ity o f Lo ve o f its p e rfe cting in He ave n

Th y m wh te ll L v a di
e s o us o e c n e .
With life all th r p assi n s fly o e o ,
All the rs a b t v ani ty

o re u .
nI H v n Am b i ti n c nn t dw ll
ea e o a o e ,
N
or Av ri c i t h v a l ts f H ll ;
a e n e u o e
E rt hl y t h s e p a s i ns o f t he E rt h
a e s o a ,
T h y p rish wh re th y h v the ir birt h

e e e e a e
B t L v i ind e s t r cti b l
u o e s u e .
I t h l y fl m e fo e v r b rn th
s o a r e u e ,
F r m H ave n it c m t He av n re tu rn e th
o e a e, o e
T
oo o ft o E rt h a t r b l d g s t
n a ou e ue ,
At tim s d c iv d at tim s ppr e t

e e e e ,
e o s ,
I t h r i t ri d
e e d p ri fi e d
s e an u ,
Th n b at h i H av n it p rf ct r st
e n e e s e e e
I t s w e th h re wi t h t o il a d c are
o e n
B t t he harv e s t tim
u f L v e i t he re e o o s .
18
46 FIVE CE N TURIES OF E N GLISH V ERSE
If his right— w hich I am afr aid I h ave mys e l f n o t ve ry
e nthusi astic all y uph l d e — t o e x al t e d p o e tic al r an k is n o t at
pre s e nt ge ne r all y ac kn o wl e dge d t he f ai l ur e aris e s fr o m n o ,
f aint he arte dn e ss o r e xc e ss o f m o d e sty in hi m H e has

-
, , .
c l aim e d it by wo r k an d e ve n by wo rd H e de lighte d in
,
.
t he c o mp o si t i o n o f p o e try w h e th e r gr a ve o r gay l yric o r, ,
e pic r e c o n dite o r simp l e e ve n c o m m o np l ace Ve rsifying

, , ,
.
w as hi s r e cr e ati o n an d hi s s o l ac e
,
His de are st fri e n d s .
we re p o e ts I ll ustri o us m e mbe rs o f t he br o the rho o d hai l e d

.
him as o f it B yr o n hi ms e l f w hi le he j e e re d d i d n o t
.
, ,
de ny hi m a p l ace in t he c o m p any Am o ng all his vo c ati o ns .
th at w as t he o n e by w hich he m e ant t o b e r e c o ll e cte d ;

if in th at ,
b t s lf app r o v d t o p rais e
u e b lam
-
e , or e
Indi ff re nt whil I t il fo l asting fame

e , e o r .
1 9
H e had wo n ho n o urs in m any fie ld s o f l ite ratur e ; bu t

t he tit l e o f p o e t w as t he chi e f d istincti o n he ch all e ng e d
an d ho w r e fus e i t t o t he g e n e r o us ki nd l y in de f atig abl e , , ,
b rave an d h o n o urab l e m an t o t he stud e nt an d scho l ar

, ,
t o t he cr e at o r o f Th al ab a an d Ke ham a ? Cle ar l y we c an
not . T he f act n e ve r the l e ss r e m ains th at t he p o e ms by
whi ch he e xp e cte d t o b e i m mo rt al iz e d ar e n e ithe r re ad n o r
ho n o ur e d H e might h ave be e n a mus e d by t he kn o wl e dge
.
th at l ine s fr o m t he D e vi l s W alk h ave be e n inc o rp o r at e d

’
into t he l angu age th at e ve ry sch o o l gir l c an re he ars e in -
a c at ar act o f r hym e s t he w ay in w hich
t he w at e r c m e s d o wn at L o d o re o
20
I do supp o s e he wo uld h ave acce pte d t he c o mp l im e nt

not
as c o mp e ns ati o n , o r b e e n at all b e tt e r a b l e t o e xp l ain t o

-
hi ms e l f w hy p o ste rity is o b l ivio us o f R o de ric k Mado c an d

!
, ,
A T al e o f P a r ag u a y .
As I have a l re ady intim ate d i t is in de e d di ffi cu l t t o ,

RO B ERT SOUTHEY 47
a cc o unt f u lly fo r t he ne g l e c t in i t s e xc e ss The re ar e .
re as o ns o n t he surf ac e T o be gin I m u st a d mi t a w an t
.
,
o f q u al ity a c e rt ain c o a rs e n e ss o f f a bric

,
Ag ain t he b u lk .
,
is a disc o u r age m e nt as is t he e xte nt o f a str ange l ake t o

,
a n ang l e r . H e m ay b e s u re th at it c o nt ains fish witho u t ,
b e ing ab l e t o te ll whe re the y lie Simi lar l y the s e vast .
e pics hid e v al u ab l e id e as o n l y t o b e c hanc e d by a r e ade r

,
o u t o f an o ve r wh e l ming fl o o d o f t r u is ms T he inte re st .
in o the rs is al i e n an d re m o te Fro m t he fir st it re qu i re d .
t o b e b o l ste r e d up by Ori e nt al l e arning much o f it , ,
in t he s e ti m e s o f de e p e r r e s e arch m u s t y an d rus t y B u t
fl
.
, ,
in t he f ac e o f wo r k s s o m e e ar l i e r an d m o re l ate r which
.
, , ,
h ave c o nque re d pub l ic f avo ur n o twithst and ing an al o go us

d raw b ac k s e ve ry w hit as pr e j u dici al t he p o e t m ight we ll ,
argu e th at such att e mp t s at an e xp l an ati o n ar e in su i c ie n t .
I d o n o t flatte r myse l f th at he wo u l d b e at all be tte r inc line d

t o acc e pt min e — th at t he c au s e is his f ai l ur e thr o u gh o ut t o
fo rge fro m t he fu rn ac e within hims e l f a ch ain o f symp at hy
wi t h his r e ad e r s Th at h o we ve r I be l ie ve t o b e t he tru e
.
, ,
H e s e l d o m s e e ms t o c o nne ct t he ir an d hi s c o m m o n
”
one .
hu m an n atur e N o te ho w r are l y if e ve r his ve rs e m ake s

.
, ,
t e ars t o st art t o t he e ye l ids T he chill fr o m this abs e nce o f

.
mutu al g l o w is p o sitive p al p ab l e an d f at al N e ve r wi ll
, ,
.
t he e m o ti o ns o f a p o e t s re ade rs ch ar m he n e ve r s o wis e l y
’
, ,
t ake fir e u n l e ss fro m t he kin dl ing o f fue l in t he singe r s ’
o wn b re ast S o uth e y s Mus e w as de vo i d o f t he p assi o n o f

’
.
symp athy an d his re n o wn su fi e r s in c o ns e qu e nc e .
H e p o ss e ss e d m any o f t he e nd o w m e nts by whi ch ad mi re rs

ar e att r a cte d H e w as w ith o ut th at w hich h o l ds the m
.
b o un d It c o ul d n o t we ll h ave be e n o t he r wis e with a

.
write r who re s o rte d t o p o e try as a r e c r e ati o n fo r re st ,
fr o m t he t o i l s o f his l ite r ary t re ad mi ll H e und e rsto o d .
t he ar t o f it an d c o u l d c all o n it w h e n he ch o s e t o d o
, , ,
(
his bid ding I t was his h and m aid w he n i t s ho u l d h ave
.
b e e n his mistr e ss A t h o us and piti e s ! H e miss e d t he .
d e are s t o bj e ct o f his a mbiti o n ; an d w e h ave l o st w h at

might have be e n fr o m t h at rich ly f u r ni she d n atur e s o m e , ,
inspire d s t r ains As i t w as he co u l d n o t b e a gre at p o e t

.
,
b u t he had a l o fty s o u l an d he w as a gr e at m an o f l e tt e rs .
T he P tic al W rk f R be rt S th y C mpl t i
oe o vls o o ou e . o e e n one o u me
Ne w d iti
e L gm 1 85 3
on . on an s , .
1
Th W ll f St K y
e (B ll d
e o d M t ric l T l ). e ne a a s an e a a es .
2
St R m ld (B ll d
. o ua a a s,
3
T h K i g f t h Cr c dil
e n (B ll d & )
o e o o es a a s, c .
4
T h B ttl e f Bl h i m (B ll d
a e o en e a a s,
Tr B ll d f St A t id i t h P p
ue a a d t h D vil (B all d
o . n u s, e o e , an e e a s,
6
R po ht t h R bb r (B ll d
rec e o e a a s,
Th D vil W lk
7 ’
e e s a .
8
G d J dg m t
o
’
s W ick d Bi h p (B ll d & )
u e en on a e s o a a s, c .
T h Old W me f B rk l y (B ll d o an o e e e a a s,
Th C r fK h m
e P art I I i
u se o e a a, ,
x v .
11
M ry t h M id f t h I (B ll d
“
a , e a o e nn a a s,
W ritt t h Fir t f D c m b r (Lyri c P m )

en on e s o e e e oe s
H h (E gl i h E cl g
an n a ) n s o ue s .
T h T r v ll r R t r (Lyric P m )
1‘ ’
e a e e s e u n oe s .
15
Th Old M e i H (E gli h E c lo g )
an s o n -
o u se n s ue s .
1 “
F C l m t T r xill (I cripti
or a o u x iii )
n a u o ns o n s,
17
My D y m g t h D d (Occ i al Pi c
a s a on xviii ) e ea as o n e e s, .
"3
Th C r e fK h m u se o e a a .
T h P t P ilg rim g t W at rl Pr m t 2 1
’
e oe s a e o e oo . oe , s .
2°
T h C t r ct f L d r (N
e a a a d c ri pt VI I ) o o o e on es s, .
I c o uld n o t lay it d o wn as an abs o l ute c o ndi ti o n o f e xce l
l e nc e in de scripti o n t hat t he the m e sh all b e o n e in w hich
t he w rite r has alw ays d e l ight e d B u t und o ubt e d l y it is .
a d de d virtu e in a p o e t o th e r wis e w e ll qu al ifie d th at he ,
l o ve s an d has l o ve d it Sc o tt w o u l d h ave l i ke d t o b e .
a s o l di e r H e re j o ic e d in e ve rything c o nne cte d w ith

.
fighting N e ve r has B ritish Po e t e xc e pt Ca mpbe ll o n

.
,
m o re c o ntr acte d c anvas e s m ad e t he re ad e r e qu ally t o fe e l , ,
a s in t he I l i ad o n a b att l e fi e ld i t s e l f w ith its turm o i l its

,
-
,
fr e nzy ; i t s e cst asy H e w as c o nsci o us o f his gift an d

.
,
f re e l y us e d it .
The r e is t he i mpre ss o f ge n u ine ne ss o n t he pictur e o f

B ann o c k b u rn R e ad fo r inst ance o f t he fin al an d di s as
.
, ,
tr o us Eng l ish ch arge o ve r t he pit pitte d pl ain -
R hing t e t h
us nd ho rs m n c am
, n o u sa e e e,
Wi th p rs i r st d h rts fl am
s ea n e ,
an ea on e,
That p ant d f t h sh c k e or e o
With b l zing c r ts a d b an e rs sp r d
a es n n ea ,
A d tr m p t c l ang a d c l am r dr ad
n u e -
n ou e ,
T h wid p l in t h d d t t h ir t re ad
’
e e a un er o e ,
A f s s Stirli ng r c k
ar a o .
D wn D wn i h adl ng v rthr w
o o n e o o e o ,
H o rs m n d ho r t h f r m s t g
e e an se , e o e o o ,
Wild fl nd ring t h fi ld ou e on e e
T h fi rs t i d tr cti n s g rg
’
e ar e n es u o o e,
Th ir f ll w rs wildl y
e o t he m rg
o e o er
’
u e
Th kn i g ht l y h lm a d hi ld
e e n s e ,
T h m ail t h
e ct n d t h sp ar
, e a o , an e e ,
Str ng hand high h art e s le ss h re

o , e ,
ar u e e
L d fr m t h mass c nf d t he c ry
ou o e o u se
Of d ying w arri rs sw ll hig h o e s on ,
And t e d th t shri k i g ny
s e s a e n a o
Th y c m like m nt in t rr nt d
e a e ou a -
o e re ,
That th nde rs e it r c ky b e d
u o
’
r s o
Th y b r k lik that m t rr t w v
e o e e sa e o en
’
s a e ,
Wh n w ll w d b y d rk m c v
e s a o e a a so e a e.
SIR W ALT ER SCO TT 51
Bil l ws o bill o ws bu rs t a d b o il
o n n ,
Maint ining till t h s te rn t rm il

a s e u o ,
An d t t h ir wi ld o d t rt re d g r an
e an o u o
E ac h adds n w t rr r o f his o w ! e e o s n
1
Life l i ke g in is
, a a gl imps
,
l t r b ttl Fl o dde n
t he e of a a e a e —
as fi t fully d e scri e d by Ma rmi o n s Sq u ir e s f r o m a n e igh

’
-
b o u r in g hi ll t o p
-
T h y c lo i c l ds f sm ke a d d t
e se , n ou o o n us ,
With swo rd sw y d wi t h l nc s t h st -
a , an a e
’
ru
And s c h a y ll w a th r u e s e e,
Of s u dd e n a d p rt nt o s b irt h n o e u ,
As if m f o ght p n t he rth en u u o ea ,
And fi nd i pp r i ; e s n u e a r
0 li f d d at h we r i t h s h t
e an e e n e ou ,
R c il a d r lly c harg a d ro t
e o n a , e n u ,
And tri m p h d d s p air u an e .
At l ngth t h fr he ning w st rn b l t
fl
e e es e e as
A id t h s hr d f b attle c ast
s e e ou o
And first t he ridg e f ming l d s p ars

, , o e e
Ab v t h b rig hte ning c l d appe ars

o e e ou
And i t h sm ke t he pe n ns w
n e o n o e ,
As i t h t o rm t h whi te s m w
n e s e ea e
Th n m k d th y d shing br ad d f
e ar
’
e , a o an ar ,
T h b r k n bill ws f t h w a
e o e o o e r,
And pl m ed cr t f hi ft ins br v
fl
u es s o C e a a e,
Fl ting lik f am p n t h w v
fl
oa e o u o e a e
B t no g ht dis t inct t h y se
u u e e.
Wide rag e d t he b attl n t h pl i e o e a n
Spe ars ho o k an d f alchi o n s

s h d m in , as
’
a a
F ll E g land s arro w i ght like rain ;

e n
’
-
Cr ts ro a d sto o p d d r s ag in
es se , n
’
, an o e a ,
Wild a d dis o rd rl y n e .
2
Al l t he incid e nts warf ar e in fla m e d his Mus e if n o t

of
a c l ash o f b att ali o ns an arm e d an d pe ri l o us a mbus h

,
The .
blo o d stirs at t he sud de n app ari t i o n fr o m he athe r an d

br ac ke n o f Cl an A l pine s w arri o rs tr u e ’
D 2
fl
Wild as t he s c r am f t he c rle w e o u ,
Fr m c rag t o c r g t h sign l w
o a e a e .
I s tant thr gh c pse a d he ath ar se

n , ou o n , o
B o nn e ts a d s p e ars a d b e nde d b ws
n n o
O rig ht n n l ft ab v be l o w
, o e , o e, ,
Spr ng p at nc t he lu rking fo ;
u u o e e
Fr m shingle s g r y th ir l anc s s tart

o a e e ,
T h b rac k n b sh s e nds f r th t h d ar t
e e u o e ,
T h r sh s e d t he will o w w nd
u e an - a
Ar b ris t ling into ax a d b r nd

e e n a ,
And v ry tu ft f b ro m g iv s li f
e e o o e e
T p l aid e d warrio r arm d f s trif ’

o or e .
Th t whis tl g r r iso d t he gle n

a e a n
’
At nce wi th f l l fi h ndr d me
o u ve u e n .
W atching th ir l ad r s b c k a d will e e e
’
e n ,
Al l il nt t he r th y s t d
s e d s till e e oo , an .
3
H e w as an e qu ally g l ad int e rpre t e r o f t he pibr o ch o f D o n al d

Dhu an d o f t he pr o scribe d an d hunte d Macgre g o rs o wl s
,
’ ’
ho o t °
O sign l f fig ht t hat f r m m o nar ch w dr w

ur a or , o s e e ,
T b e he ard b t by nig ht i o
o ve nge f l b alo
u n ur u o .
4
In his c as e di re ct an d l o ng p e rs o n al symp athy n o t ,
m e re l y with t he s u bj e ct in ge ne r al b u t with its p artic u l ar ,
e x e m lifi c at i o n s w as virtu all y in di sp e n s ab l e A r t fo r hi m

p , .
did n o t supp l y its p l ac e in t he l e ast With o u t it he is di ffus e .
an d du ll T he sp e ct ac l e o r e xp e ct ati o n o f an e xch ange

.
, ,
o f h ar d b l o w s had an a ptit u d e fo r e xciting his inspir ati o n ;
b u t he had t o b e p e r s o n all y inte re ste d b e f o re e ve n a pitche d

b attl e m a d e a p o e m Eve rything e l s e — st o ry t e lling i t s e lf
.
-
-
is an accid e n t in his p o e try e xc e pt t he p e rs o n al e mo ti o n ,
an d th at r e sp o nd e d f o rtun at e l y t o o th e r th e m e s b e si d e s
arms . T o uch t he ke y in his rich m e m o r y o f an anci e nt

, ,
l e ge n d an histo ric e dific e an d l o ve l y music p o urs f o rth

, .
N o whe re has minste r fr o m t he g l o r y o f its prim e t o ,
e l o que nt d e c ay re ve al e d it se l f t o a n insig ht m o re de l ic at e
,
SIR WALTER SCOTT 53
an d symp athe t ic t h an Me l r o s e t o his fancy bri d ging ,
wi t h a rainb o w fo ur hund re d ye ar s
,
w ld s t vi w f ir M lr
t
I f ho u rig ht
ou
’
e a e o se a ,
G visi t i t by t he p l m nlig ht
o a e oo
F t h gay b ams f li g htso m d y

or e e o e a
Gild b t t fl t t h r ins g r y
,
u o ou , e u a .
Wh n t h b r k n arc h s
e bl ac k i ig ht
e o e e ar e n n ,
An d ac h s haft d o ri l g limm rs whi t

e e e e e
Wh n t h c ld l ight s c rt in sh w r
e e o
’
un e a o e
Str ms t he r i d c ntr l t w r
ea on a n
’
e a o e
Wh n b ttr s a d b ttr ss alt rnat ly

e u es n u e , e e ,
S m e d fram d f b n a d i vo ry
ee e o e o n
Wh n silv r d g s t h im ag ry
e e e e e e ,
And t he s cr lls that te ac h th t o li v a d di

o ee e n e
Wh n di t nt Tw d i h rd t rav
e s a ee s ea o e,
And t h wl t t o ho o t o t h d ad m an s g r v
e o e
’
er e e
’
a e,
Th n g — b t g al n t h w hil e
e o u o o e e
Th n Vi w St D avid s ui d pile
e e .
’
r n
’
And ho me r t rning s thly swe ar

,
e u , oo ,
W a n v r scen
s ad a d f ir
e e e so s n a
5
His min d w as a tr e asur e ho u s e o f tr adi ti o n an d r o m anc e -
fr o m w hich a po e t s m agic c o njur e d u p m e m o ri al fu ne r al

’
ri t e s fo r dr o wn e d R o s abe lle in t he ance stral m au s o l e u m

O er
’
R o slin
that dre ary ni ght all
A wo ndro s b laz e w as se e n t o gle amu

’
Tw as b ro ade r than t he watch
An d re dd e r than t he b ri g ht m o o n b e am -
.
I t g l ar d o n R o lin s c as t le d r o c k
’
e s ,
I t r dd ie d all t he c o pse wo o d g l e n
u -
,
’
Tw as se e n fro m D ryde n s gro ve s o f o ak ’
,
And se e n fro m av e n d H awtho rnd n c r

’
e .
Se e m d all o n fi r e t hat c hap l p ro d

’
e u ,
W he re R o lin s c hie fs u o ffi d li
'
’ ’ ’
s nc n e ,
E ac h B ar n fo a s ab l e shr o d o ,
r u ,
S he athe d in hi iro n p ano ply s .

Se e m d
’
wi thin ar nd
all o n fir e , , ou ,
D e e p s c ri ty a d al t r s p l
a s ,
n a
’
a e,
S h n v ry pill r f li g b nd
o e e e a o a e -
ou ,
A d glimm d ll t h d d m n s m il
’ ’
n er a e ea e a .
Bl z d b attle m nt a d pinn t hi gh
a e e n e ,
Bl ze d v ry r s c arv d b ttr s f ir
a e e o e- e u e s a
S s till th y b l z wh n f te i ni g h
o e a e, e a s
T h l rdl y lin
e f hi g h St C l air
o e o . .
Th r a e tw nty o f R o li b ro ns b ld
e e r e s n s
’
a o
Li b ri e d wi thin t h t p r d c h pe ll
e u a ou a e
E cha t h h l y v a l t d th ho ld
one e o u o
a ho lds l v l y R s ab ll
6
B t th u e se o e o e e
And i t w as a p o e t s tyr ant i m agin ati o n in t he gr asp o f

’
t he p ast w hich w as n e e de d t o st e e l his h e ar t fo r th at t al e

o f ho r r o r t he a ccurst m o n astic c o nc l av e in t he m u rd e r d e n
-
,
o f H o l y Is l and w hic h m ake s o n e cry o u t up o n t he Fi e nd

,
.
fo r n o t sp aring pe rjur e d M ar m l o n
but a d ay ,
wasting fi a d d y ing g ro an
Fo r re , n ,
And pri sts sl ain t h altar s to n e on e - e .

7
I hav e l e ft t o t he l as t t h at w hich m ight at O nc e an d

l
by its e l f h ave e st ab l ish e d t he B o rd e r Mins t r e l s t i tl e t o

,
’
a p o e t s l au r e l S ur e l y in t he fr o nt r an k o f re qu i e ms
’
.
s t ands th at o ve r Pit t an d F o x T he t w o Tit anic figur e s .
had fi ll e d t he e nti re h o riz o n o f Sc o tt s yo u t h an d e arl y

’
m anh o o d ; an d t he p assi o n o f his ve rs e te stifie s t o t he

i mpre ss o n his n ature Y e t n e ve r l i ke m any o f its c l ass ;
.
,
d o e s it fo a m int o rh e t o ric o r r ave into hyste rics I t ris e s , .
an d f all s l i ke tid al w a ve s As t he t ho ught d we ll s o n t he .
b ro ke n he al th an d br o ke n h e art o f t he might y Ministe r

, , ,
t he me l o dy is s o l e mn an d s ad
H d s t th b t li d th u gh st ip p d f p o w r
’ ’
‘
’
a ou u v , o r o e ,
A watchm n n t he lo ne l y to w r a o e ,
T hy thrilling t r m p had r o se d t h l nd u u e a ,
W h n f ra d d a g r w r t h d
e u or n e e e a an
SIR W ALTER SCOTT .
B y th a by t h be a n li g ht
ee , s e co -
,
O pil ts h d k pt c u rs arig ht ;
ur o a e o e
As s m p ro d c l mn th g h l n
o e u o u , ou a o e,
T hy s t r gt h h d p o pp d t h t tt ring t hr ne
’
en a r e o e o
N w i t h s t t l y c l mn b r k
o s e a e o u o e,
T h b c n li g ht i q h d i sm k
’ ‘
e ea o -
s uen c n o e ,
T h t r m p t s il v r s nd i s till
’
e u e s e ou s ,
T h w ard r sil nt o t h hill

e e e n e
8
T he dirge gr o ws r e j o icing l y tri u mph al as i t unit e s hi m

his rival in a c o m m o n b o n d o f r e n o w n an d p at ri o t is m
Wi th m r than m o rtal p w rs d o w d
o e o e en
’
,
H w hi g h th y s ar d b v t h c r wd
’
o e o a o e e o
The irs w c mm o n p rty rac

as n o o a e ,
J o stling by d rk intrig f pl c e a ue or a
Like f ab l d g ds t he ir mig hty wa

e o , r
S h o k re alms d nati n i it j
o an o s n s ar
B n ath e ach b a n r p r d t s t nd
e e n e ou o a ,
L k d p t h n b l s t f t h l nd
oo e u e o e o e a ,
Till thr gh t h British w rld w r kno wn

ou e o e e
T h nam e f Pi tt d F o x alo n
es o an e .
Spe lls o f su c h f rc o wi z rd g rav o e n a e
E e f ram d i d ark T h ss ali n c av

’
r e n e a e .
Th s s pe lls
e e p nt d p nt wi th the s ar e s e , an ,
s e e,
T h win e f li f i th l s
e o e s on e ee
G i s d t ste d t l nt g n
en u ,
an a , an a e o e,
Fo v r t m b d b n th t h s t n
r e e o
’
e ea e o e,
W h r — t ming th ght t h m an p rid e

e e a ou o u
T h mig hty c hi fs sl p sid b y sid

e e ee e e .
Dr p p n F x s gr v t h t r
o u o o
’
a e e ea ,
Twill tri c kl t hi riv l s bi r

’
e o s a
’
e
O
’
Pitt s t h m rnf l r q i m s nd
er
’
e ou u e u e ou ,
And F x s sh ll t h n t s r b d
o
’
a e o e e o un .
T h s l mn c h s ee ms t c ry
e o e e o o
H r l t th ir di c o rd wi th th m d ie
e e e e s e .
Sp k t f th
ea no sp r t d m or e se a e a a e oo ,
W h m F t m ad Br th rs i t h t m b
o a e e o e n e o
B t s ar c h t h l and f l ivi g m
u e e o n en .
W h r wil t th fi d t h ir l ik g n
e e ou n e e a e
9
Thr o ugh o ut Sc o t t s p o e ms bl e mishe s an d d e fe cts ab o und
’
wi th o ut c l o uding his ti tl e t o a p o e t s ho n o urs H e di lu te s ’

.
hi s d e sc ript io ns o ft e n an d is c are l e ss in dict io n ,

Ve ry .
s e ldo m did he u se pr u ning ho o k o r file N o p o e t c o u l d .
b e m o re s l ipsh o d Mu ch in t he l o nge r c o mp o siti o ns m ay

.
b e f ai r st o ry t e ll ing an d is s u r e t o b e a rch ae o l o gic all y

-
,
ins tru ctive It m ay e ve n re ach t he l e ve l o f a p o pu l ar

.
b all a d Ass u re d l y i t is n o t p o e try T he f aci l i t y p r o

. .
,
v e r b i ally f at a l o f t he o ct o syll abic m e tr e l u r e d hi m int o

,
p ro l ixity Wi de re ading in m any di re cti o ns an d a m e m o ry

.
,
fo r p ar ticul ar subj e cts pr actic all y b o u ndl e ss c o ntribut e d t o ,
t e mpt hi m t o i mpr o vis e As he fr e e l y a d mitte d he w as .

,
with o ut t he f ac u l ty o f s e l f criticism I t is an invalu abl e -

.
inc ap aci t y d u ring t he pr o ce ss o f p o e tic al pr o d ucti o n ; a

ve ry d ange r o us o n e in t he s u bs e qu e nt p e ri o d o f re fle cti o n
an d r e visi o n A m o ng t he re s u l ts w as th at he acc e p t e d
.
unsuspici o us l y w h ate ver s u bj e c t h appe ne d t o pre s e nt its e l f .
F o r an y an d e spe ci all y fo r a m e tric al st o ry i t is e ss e nti al

, ,
t h at t he p l o t sho u ld p o ss e ss e n o u gh intrinsic an d g l o wing

int e r e st t o stim u l at e r e ad e r an d wr i t e r al i ke With thr e e .
he w as f o r t u n at e As m e r e t al e s T he Lay o f t he Las t
.
Mins t r e l Mar mi o n an d T he L a dy o f t he L ak e f ascin ate

, , ,
.
B ann o c k b u rn is n o t in t i m ate l y e n o ugh c o nne cte d with

B ruc e s w an de rings a m o ng t he Is l e s t o l e nd a dve nture s
’
a m o ng th e m r e tr o sp e ctive ani m at i o n Ve r y fe w o f5, tf;1e -
p re s e nt ge n e r ati o n h ave p ati e nc e t o tr ac e t he m

. A
_
_
az e o f
R o ke by In c o ns e que nc e a fin e pie c e o f ch ar acte r d r awing

.
in Be rt ra m with his au d aci o us e sc ap e s an d d e at h has

, ,
b e e n waste d T he B rid al o f T r ie r m ain a bright g ard e n

.
,
o f f anci e s w ith its Arthuri an atm o sph e re

, is n o m o re th an ,
a nam e if th at Me rl in wo u l d h ave t o c o m e t o l ife ag ain

, .
t o re vive it ; an d e q u all y e nt o m b e d in spi t e o f th e s w e e p ,
o f gr and fl o w ing ve rs e is H aro l d t he D aunt l e ss , .

mind The r e is a s o rt an d Sc o tt s is o f i t in w hich t he
.
,
’
re ade r has t o d isti l fo r hi ms e l f T he b o rn p o e t has c o lle c t e d

.
,
se l e cte d t he m ate ri al s ; has hims e l f be e n e nr apture d by

t he fe e l ing r at he r t h an e xpr e ssi o n o f t he ir e ss e nc e
,
I t is , .
t he f au lt o f hi s p u b l ic if i t c ann o t b e s o l i ke wis e T he .
incl in ati o n o f t he pr e s e nt age is t o w ar ds h aving in t r o sp e c

t i o n an d inte lle ctu al an al ysis d o n e fo r i t an d by its p o e ts , .
T o p o e try i t l o o k s fo r p ro b l e ms if n o t n e c e ss ari l y fo r t he
, , ,
s o l u t i o ns Sc o tt d o e s n o t d e al in e nigm as In him i t
. .
w o u l d h ave b e e n affe ct ati o n an d he is n e ve r affe cte d As .
he n e ve r p o s e s as a Sphi nx so he pr e t e nds n e ith e r t o b e

,
a chi l d o f n at u r e l i k e B u rns n o r a n atur e w o rshipp e r l i k e

, ,
-
,
W o rds wo rth Y e t his sc e ne s ar e all in t he ir ch ange fu l

.
,
dive rsity c o nst antl y t r u e an d re al H e d o e s n o t atte mpt t o

,
.
hid e his d e b t t o l ibr ari e s fo r ve ry m u ch in his n a rr ative s .
H e m ake s n o p ar a d e o f t he e q u al t r u th t h at he has ch arm e d

t he he art o u t o f t he m ; t ha t in his v e rs e it b e ats as it
r ar e l y b e a t b e f o r e .
N o g o l d e n haz e fl o ats o ve r t he p o e ms o f Sc o tt The y .
app l y n o f o r m o f spir it u al o r s e nsu o us int o xic ati o n On l y .

,
whe n t he i m agin ati o n is e l s e w he r e c l o ye d with s we e tne ss ,
o r has w e ari e d o f t yi ng kn o ts in t he br ain whe n it l o ngs

‘
fo r d ancing br e e z e s an d fi r e l i ke t he Ho m e ric i t t u rns

, ,
wi t h re l i e f t o t he Last Minstre l s Lay t o M armi o n t o T he’
, ,
Lady o f t he Lake The y r e e nte r in t o the ir rightfu l in

.
-
he rit anc e o f h e a rt hsid e f a v o u r Whe n the y ar e d u ly .
und e rst o o d i t wi ll be s e e n al s o th at t he y c an re c l aim

so m
,
e thing o f w o r t h as high ; th at is pro pe rty in t he ,
aut ho r hims e l f Sc o tt t he m an is a p o ss e ssi o n t h at an y

.
pro vince o f l i t e r ature m ay b e pr o ud t o appr o pri ate as

prim ari ly its awn N o b o d y c an b e s u rpris e d t hat t he t itl e
.
t o such a p riz e has at tim e s be e n disput e d Th o s e sp le ndid .
gif t s t he m anl ine ss t he m agn animi t y t he inc ap abi l i t y o f

, , ,
SI R W ALTER SCOTT 59
e nvy j e al o usy m e anne ss u n kindne ss t he fre s hn e ss t he

, , , , ,
ge nius w hich e xtr a c t e d go l d fr o m e ve ry t hing an d t r ans ,
mute d l e ad into g o l d t he l arge pr e s e nc e in l e t t e rs an d in ,
l ife w hich e nn o bl e d b o t h we r e t he y t he po e t s o r t he
,
— ’
s t o ry te lle r s m o re l e gi t im at e att ribu t e s S t u dy t he p o e ms

-
’
an d y o u wi ll find t he b asis o f a ll t he re .
N e ve r in w rit e r w as the r e l e ss o f e g o t ism ; y e t n e ve r

‘
p o e t w as m o re ass u r e d t h at p o e try w as his v o c at i o n H e .
c o n t inu e d in t he fu ll pr actice o f t he ar t as l o ng as inspir a

t i o n with t he r are st e xce p t i o ns d e ni e d by m any t o b e
, ,
e xc e p t i o ns is wo nt t o d e sc e nd F o r its s ake he had

,
.
s acrifice d pr o fe ssi o nal a mbi t i o n he had c u rbe d t he aspi ra

t i o ns o f r o m ance an d hid d e n i t t ake s e c o n d p l ac e The re ,
.
it W ai t e d a m o d e st u nd e rs t u dy u n t i l p o e try vo l u n t arily
, ,
wi t hdre w whe n it c am e f o rw ard t o p l ay t he ch ar ac te r p r o

,
t anto B u t t he p o e t ic spirit dw e lt ap art i t had no t d i e d

. .
I t is fe l t fe e ding gui ding l e nding w arm t h an d grac e t o

, , ,
ficti o n always pr e p are d t o ste p f o rth fr o m its re t ire m e n t

,
at n e e d — l i ke Achille s be hi nd t he b o rr o we d shie l d o f ,
Aj ax sc aring wi t h his b att l e cry t he wo l ve s o f Tro y fr o m

,
-
t he bo dy o f P atr o c l u s .
The P tic l W rk f Si W lt r Sc tt
oe a o s o r a e o , ed } J G . . Lo ckh rt
a . 12 vl
o s .
E d i b rgh
n 1 83 3 —4
u .
1
T h L rd f t h I l e C t i t 24 o o e s e s, an o v , s .
2
M rm i C t vi t z 2 5 2 6
a on , an o , s an as -
.
3
Th L d y f th L k C t v t 9
e a o e a e, an o , s . .
M cgr g r G th ri g
’
a e o s a e n .
5
T h L y f t h L t M i tr l C
e to a o e as ns e , an 11 , st . 1
8
I bid C t i t 23 .
, an o v , s . .
7
M rm i C t i st 3 1
a on , an o
- V , . .
8
I b id I tr d cti t C t i n o u on o an o
9
I b id .
J AM E S H O G G
1 7 7 0— 1 8 3 5
A P OE T , a b o rn p o e t an d n o t hing b u t a p o e t ; a p o e t
,
all o ve r w ho t h o u ght in p o e t r y
,
wi t h w h o m all he s aw
tu rn e d t o p o e try w ho wr o te m u ch ve rs e re ad fo rm e r l y , ,
an d s t i ll if at all with p l e asur e

, ,
w ho had t he aspir ati o ns
o f a gr e at p o e t pe rh aps t he be l i e f th at he w as o n e
, ,
w ho
y e t w a s n e ve r r e c o gniz e d a s m o r e th an a min o r p o e t an d
n e ve r with a singl e e xc e pti o n wr o t e o the r th an m in o r

, ,
p o e t ry .
N o t that his c o pi o u s p o e tic a l r e pe rt o ry is with o ut abun

d ant t e stim o ny t o a ric h an d re ady f ancy H e is at ho m e .
in Fairyl and T he H au nt e d Gle n in which t he E l ve s ar e

.
,
t o m e e t t o cr o wn fo r King a m o rt al m an r e fine d int o th e ir

n ature by s e ve n ye ars o f pe n ance is f u ll o f de l ic ate im agin ,
ings T he m o n arch e l e ct r e n am e s hi s atte nd ant sprite s

.
- -
,
a s in its m o d e l A Mids um m e r N ight s Dr e am w he re a ’

, ,
g r o ss e r cr e a t u r e d i sch a rg e s t he s a m e functi o n S o d ainty .
he r e is t he t e xtur e th at in fe ar o f c o ming up o n c o ars e r ,
thre ads w e h ave a s e ns e o f r e l ie f w he n t he f abric is l e ft

,
inc o mp l e te with a dismiss al o f t he l ittl e be ings t o the i r

s e ve r al du t ie s Sti ll m o re music al as vo ic e d in Ettric k
.
,
di al e ct is t he app e al t o t he f airi e s t o watch o ve r a n e w

,
b o rn b abe Hum o ur e ve ryw he re in Ho gg bubb l e s up

.
fr e e l y th o u gh n o w he r e m o re de l ightfull y th an in t he t r agi
,
c o m e d y o f T he G u de Gr e y e K att N O fe e l ing he art c an .
he l p c o mp assi o n at ing t he s ad pl igh t o f t he gr e a t B y sc ho p e

o f Bl ain w ho fo r t o ying wi t h t he b e au t e o u s w i t c h he had
,
JAMES HOGG 61
be e n invi te d t o unm as k and b an finds hims e l f s ud de nl y ,
in Mi str e ss Pussy s c l aw s t ak ing agh ast

’
hi j nt s a e
Up thro t h milk y w y u e e a e .
1
The re is s t o re as we ll o f hum o ur s siste r re al p atho s ; ’
fr o m t he e l e gy o n t he n a m e le ss chi ld w h o se
fl
,
li tt l f e t ac r ss t h l awn e e o e
Sc arc e f r m t h p rimr p r ss d t h d w ;
o e o se e e e e
I tho g ht t h s piri t f t h d wn
u e o e a
B f o r m t t h g r nw d w
e e e o e ee oo e
2
t o P o o r Litt l e Je ssi e s l a m e nt
’
’
It s l a g i I l o s t b i th m y f t h r d m t h r
n s n
’
a a e an o e ,
I m sim p l p r a f rl rn t h w ay
’ ’ ’
e an oo ,
n o o on e
I had that I liki t a nly d r b r th r

an e n o ea o e ,
My Willi — b t he s lying c a ld i t h c lay

e u u
’
e .
3
Eve n t he o ld h o use d e s e rte d by t he thriving age d ’

, ,
f arm e r has its t ribute o f pre tty pi t y

,
T hy ro f will fa t hy r fte rs s t rt
’
o , a a ,
H w d am p c a ld t hy h art h will b ’
o an u e e
Ah a will
, s n ilk h n s t h rt
e so o o e ea ,
Th t r t w b li th a b a ld i the e
a e s as e n
’
u n .
F a we l m y h s a b rni c l r ’
re e ou e n u e ea ,
My b rt r b sh a b wz y tr
ou ee u n
’
o ee,
Th w e while I m a n s j urn h r
ee u o o e e
I ll n v r find h m e lik t h 4
’
e e a a e ee .
A d he c an sing t o o B urns l i ke j us t fo r singing s s a ke

’
n
-
, , ,
a s o f Pe ggi e ,
t h f air s t fl w r e e o e
T h b r es E ttri c k ve r aw 5
’
e a o e s ,
an d o f b l issful h o ur ,
W he n t he li ttl wee bit h art e e
Ris s high i t h b r a t e n e e s ,
An t h li tt l w b i t s t arn
’
e e ee
Ri d i th tse s r e n e e as .
0 he t re a j y ae d ar
’
s o s e ,
That t h he art an hardl y fram e

e c ,
W i a bo
’
i b o nni e l assie
nn e, ,
Whe n t h k y e c o m e s hame
e ,
Whe n t he k y e c m e s ham e o ,
’
Twe e n t he gle amin g a d t he mirk n ,
W he n t he k y e c o me s ham e .
6
T he p o ssibi l iti e s o f ch arm in all r e al p o e try ar e infin ite .
Wh e ne ve r w e l o o k c l o s e at ve rs e by a ge nuine p o e t o f high ,
o r lo w d e gr e e ,
a t e mp t at i o n as h e r e t o e x agg e r at e m e rit
, ,
n atur ally aris e s St anding a l it tl e f ar t he r o ff I se e de fe cts

.
,
p e rv a ding t he e ntir e b o dy o f H o gg s ve rs e N o t m e r e l y ’
.
d o th e y affe ct w indy e ffu si o ns l i ke M ary Le e o f Car e lha , ,
t he ti re s o m e i mit ati o ns o f c o nt e mp o r ary w rit e r s in T he

Po e t ic Mirr o r t he e ch o e s o t c o nfe ss e d i mi t ati o ns as is
,
n ,
—
ns
E a o ofc ,
H o h e n l ind e n — t he g l ib f al s e s e ntim e nt o f C a ry,
O Ke an an d t he m e di o cri t y o f t he S acre d Me l o di e s
’
,
the y ar e n o t abs e nt e ve n f ro m t he pi e c e s I h ave s e l e cte d

t o sh o w t he p o e t at his b e s t I t is n o t o n l y o r m ain l y
.
, ,
a r awn e ss b o th o f m at e ri al an d o f w o r k m anship a d e ar th ,
o f me ll o wn e ss an d fin i sh T he qu al i t y which I chi e fl y
.
miss is p o e tic r aptu r e with t he c o ns e qu e n t g l o w o f sym

,
p athy b e t we e n r e ad e r an d au tho r A p o e m w ith th o s e .
pro p e rt i e s w i ll l e ave b e hind in t he r e ad e r s s o u l s o m e thing ’
o f its e l f w hic h d r aw s him b a c k t o it w ith r o p e s w h e t he r

, ,
o f si lk o r o f s t e e l . He r e he a d mire s t hin k s ho w c l e ve r it ,
all is ho w b e autif u l s o m e p arts — an d r e t ains n o thing

, T he .
flo o d has s we p t o ve r t he s u rf a c e o f t he mind an d is g o ne ,
.
I f e ar I c an m ake n o l arge e xc e pti o n n o ne in f avo ur ,
e ve n o f T he Gu de Gr e e K att My bj cti n pp l i s t t h
y o e o a
. e o e
bulk o f T he Que e n s W ake its e lf o n whi ch , as a w ho l e t he

’
, ,
surviv al o f t he Sh e phe rd s r e put ati o n p rincip all y de pe nds

’
.
T he pre amb l e s t o it s v ario us t al e s ge n e rally ar e e xc e ll e nt

JAMES HOGG 63
fo r in the m he fo rge ts to be a ught but hi ms e lf ,

t he b ard ,
w ho
on ttri c k s m o untain g re e n
E
’
In natu re s b o so m nu rse d had be e n

’
.
7
T wo orthre e be au tif u l s o ngs ar e inte rspe rs e d in part icul ar ,
T he Spe ctr e s p athe tic Cr adl e S o ng

’
H sh m y b o ny b ab e — h sh an d b e still
u , n u ,
T hy m o t he r s arms s hall s hi e ld the e f r m ill

’
o
F ar hav e I b o rne t he e i s o rro w an d p ain

n ,
T o drink t he b re e z e o f t he wo rld ag ain .
T he d e w s hall m o is t e n t hy b r o w o m e e k s ,
And t he b re e z o f mid n ight fan t hy c hee k

e
And s o o n shall w e re s t i t h ho w o f t he hill

n e
Hush m y b o nny b ab e —hu sh a d b e s till

, ,
n
8
In t he t al e s the ms e l ve s wi t h o n e d e l ightfu l e xc e pti o n

, ,
I d o n o t r ate t he qu al ity ab o ve H o gg s usu al st and ard ’

.
A ll s u ffe r fr o m his c o m m o n we ak ne ss o f t o o e asy c o nte nt

m e nt with hi s wo r k o f e xce ssive an d un prune d m e tric al
faci l ity F o r instanc e c o nsi de r t he pre p o ste r o us l e ngth o f
.
,
t he f o ur t e e nth b ar d s b all ad o the r w is e c aptiva t ing Of

’
, ,
Mary Sc o tt ! S u ch pr o ducti o ns ar e t o t he highe r p o e try

s o m e t hing Su ch as Mé m o ire s p o u r s e rvi r ar e t o histo ry .
The y sugge st a po e t in t he m aking r athe r th an m ad e .
On l y o nc e d o e s Ho gg app e ar t o m e t o h ave und e rgo ne

a fi t n o m e r e tr ansi e n t sp asm
, o f t he r aptu r e w hich c o m
,
mu n ic at e s itse l f t o a p o e t s pub l ic In Kilme n y if n o whe re

’
.
,
e lse ,
he is inspi re d Th at is a m o ng t he p o e ms w hich
.
,
h aving be e n o nc e actu all y t ake n int o t he min d re m ain ,
p o ss e ssi o ns an d in p o ss e ssi o n I t has gr o wt h in it an d

, .
,
atm o sphe re If t he re is s o m e thing al s o o f g l o ri o u s n u

.
re as o n in t he ch o ic e o f sw e e t Kilme n y fo r a s e mi e arth l y -
,
s e mi e the r e al i m m o rt al i t y t he e x t r avag ance is wi th o ut

-
,
o ffe nc e .
As w e re ad o f he r b e autiful chi l dh o o d he r vanishi ng , ,
he r l o ving r e app e ar anc e in th at w hic h w as fe l t t o b e n o

l o nge r he r ain c o u n t r y e ho w s he s o j o urne d brie fl y a m o ng ,
he r k insf o lk a waking dre a m an d fin all y di ss o l ve d ag ain

, ,
int o a c e l e sti al m e m o ry w e ar e s e nsib l e o f n o vi o le nc e ; ,
w e ar e in t he p o e t s h ands an d ar e c o nt e nt t o b e th e re
’
fl
,
B n i Kilm y g a d p t h g l n
o n e en e u e e
B t i t w a na t m t D m
’
u eis o ee un ra s en
It w nly t o he ar t h y rlin sing

as o e o ,
And p t h c r ss w r nd t h s p ring
u
’
e e -
o er ou e
For Kilm e y w as p r a p r c l d b n u e s u e ou e .
B t l ang m y h minny l k
fl
’
th w
’
u a er oo o er e a ,
And l ang m y h s k i t h g r n w d S h w a s e ee
’
e ee -
oo a
Lang t h l ird D i b l m e a o
’
un e r a a e,
And l ng l ang g r t Kilm y c m ham

a , ee or en o e e
Wh n m ny l ang d y h d c m d d
e a a a o e an e ,
Wh n g i f g r w c lm d h p w d d
e r e e a , an o e as ea ,
W h n m s f Ki lm y s l h d b n s ng
e es or en
’
s ou a ee u ,
W h n t h b d sm an had p ay d a d t h d d b ll r ng
e e e e r ,
n e ea e u
L t l te i a gl mi wh n all w stil l
a e, a n oa n
’
e as ,
Wh n t h fring w
e e d t h w t lin hill e as r e on e es ,
Th w d w s r th m n i th w n ’
e oo as e e, e oo e a e,
Th r k t h ng v r t he p l in
’
e th
ee o e co u o e a ,
Lik li ttl w c l d i t h w rld it l ane

e a e ee ou n e o s
W h n t h ingl l w d wi
e e iry l m e o e
’
an e e e,
L te l t i t h gl ami Kilme y c am ham

a ,
a e n e o n
’
n e e
Kilm y Ki lm y wh r hav e y
en , b n? en , e e ou ee
L ng h w s g ht baith b lt d d n
a ae e ou o an ea .
’
Kil m y l k d p wi th l v l y g r c
en oo
’
u a o e a e,
B t a s mi l w a n Kilm y f ac ’
u n e e s se e on en s e
As till w a h l k d a till w h
s s er oo ,
an s s as er e e,
As t h stilln e ss th t l y t he m rant le
e a a on e e a
O t h m is t th t sl e e p s
r e w vl s a on a a e es se a .
For Kilm y had b ee n h k n d

en t wh r s e e
’
no e e,
A d Kilm y had
n n wh t h c ld t d c l ar
en se e a s e ou no e e
Kilm y h d b
en wh r t h c c k n v r c r w
a een e e e o e e e ,
Wh r t h r in n v r f ll a d t h wind ne v r b l w
e e e a e e e , n e e e ,
0 b o nny Kilm n y f re e frae s t ain e ,
If v r yo
e e k t h wo rld ag ain
u se e e ,
That wo rld f i f o rro w a d fe ar o s n ,

o s ,
n ,
0 t ll f t h j o y s t h t a e w ai ting h re
’
e o e a r e .
The y lift d Kilm y the y l d h away

e en ,
e er ,
An d h w alk d i t he li g ht o f a s n l e s s d ay
’
s e n u
Th ky w a
e s d o m o f c ry t al b ri ght
s a e s ,
Th f e t ain f vi io n a d fo ntain f li ght

o un o s ,
n u o
T he m e rant fi e lds we re o f d azzli g g l o w

e n ,
A d t h fl o we rs o f e v rl a ting b l o w
n e e s .
The de e p i t he stre am he r b o dy th y l aid

n n e ,
That h r y th a d b a ty ne v r might f ad
e ou n e u e e
And h he ard a s o ng h h ard i t s g

s e , s e e un ,
She k d n o t whe r en b t s ae swe e t l y i t r ng e u u ,
I t f ll o t he a lik a dr am o f t he m o rn
e n e r e e
O b l t b e t he d ay Kilm e y w a b o rn
es n s
N w shall t h l nd o f t he s p iri ts s e
o e a e,
N w s hall i t k e what a w o m an m ay b e
e n
Th y b r h away she wi t o t ho w
e o e er , s n ,
h f lt o t a m n o r t b e l o w
fl
F or s e e n r r es
B t s o swi ft t he y wai e d he thro g h t he lig ht

u n r u ,
’
Twa like t h m o ti n o f s o nd o ight
s e o u r s
U m b e r d g ro ve b l o w the m g r w
nnu e s e e ,
T he y c am th y p d a d b ac kward w
e, e ass
’
, n e ,
Like fl o o d o f b l o m glidi g os sso s n n ,
A m m t e i a m o me t g o n
o en se n ,
n n e .
B ut t o ng t h i ghts Ki lm y s w
si e s en a ,
S f O rp s i g t r s l w
ar s u a s n na u e
’
a ,
Th i g r v i c w ad i k w y
e s n e
’
s o e s n a a ,
A d t h s tri g f hi h rp w d c
n e t pl y n o s a a e ase o a .
B t h
u w till t h
s ro ws f m w r by
e sa e so r o an e e ,
A d ll w
n l v d h rm y
a as o e an a on
Till t h t rs Of h v f ll c lmly w y
e s a ea en e a a a ,
Lik t h fl k s f
e w e wi t r d y
a e o sn a on a n e a .
Th Kilm y b gg d g in t
en en e e a a o se e
The fri nd s he h d l ft i h
e i t y s a e n e r a n co un r e
JAM ES HOGG 67
To te ll o f t he pl ac e whe re sh had be e n e ,
An d t h g l o ri e s t hat lay i n t h l an d u n s e n
e e e
T o w arn t he li vin g m aid e ns f air ,
T he l o v e d o f H e av n t he piri ts c are
’
e , s ,
That all who se min ds n m e le d re m ain u
S hall blo o m in b e au ty whe n time is g an e .
Wi th distant m si c so ft d d p
fl
u , an ee ,
Th y l ll d Ki lm y so nd asl e p
e u
’
en u e
And wh n sh aw k d h lay he l n
e e a en
’
, s e r a e,
All happ d wi th fl o w rs i t h g re e wo d w
’
e , n e n- o ene .
Whe n s ve n l ng y rs had c me a d e d
e a ea o n ,
Whe n g ri f w a c alm a d h pe w a de ad
e s ,
n o s
Wh s c rc w a r m m be r d Kilm y s n m
en a e s e e e en
’
a e,
L te l te i a glo ami n Kilm y c m ham

a , a n
’
en a e e
W he n a m nt h d d y had c me a d g an
o
.
an a a o n e,
Kilm y s g ht t h g r n w d w n
en ou e ee -
oo e e
Th r l id h d wn o t h l v s
e e a er g re e o n e ea e s ae n ,
And Kilm y rth w n v r m ir s

en on ea as e e a ee n .
B t O t h wo rds t h t f ll f r m h
u , e m th a e o er ou
We r w rds o f w nd r d w rds o f tr th
e o o e an o u
B t ll t h l nd we r i f e ar a d dr ad
u a e a e n n e ,
F
or th y k ndna wh th r he w as li ving d ad
e e e e s or e .
I t w asn h ham a d h c l dn r m in
er e , an s e ou a e a
Sh l ft this w rld o f o rr o w
e e d p in o s an a ,
And r t r e d t t he land f tho ght again

e u n o o u
9
N e ve r w as F a ir yl and m a d e t o app e ar ne ar e r t o u s o r ,
s u ffus e d wit h l o ve lie r c o l o u rs A war e o f such a p o te n .
t i alit y wi thi n him if s e l d o m e l s e w he re d e ve l o p e d t o e qu a l

,
pe r fe cti o n H o gg hi ms e lf m ay b e fo rgive n fo r s o me s o re ne ss
,
o f h e ar t at t he w o un ding wis d o m o f wo r l d l y e xp e ri e nc e ,
whi ch le d his p atr o n Sc o tt t o re c o mm e n d him t o c o n fine

v e r s ifying t o l e ge n d s o f Et t ric k Gle n an d t he like w hil e , ,
k ee ping t o she e p f ar m ing fo r his life s vo c ati o n :

-
’
Bl t b his g n r h art f y
es e e e o us e or a e
H t ld m wh r t h r li c l y
e o e e e e e a
E 2
P inte d m y w y wi th r ad y will
o a e ,
Af r E ttri c k s wild e s t hill ;

’
a on
W t h d m y fi rs t no t wi th c u ri
’
a c y es ous e e,
And wo d d t m y min tr e lsy n er a s
H li tt l w e d p r nt s t ng ’
e e en a a e o ue
S c h strains had o m y c r dl s g
u
’
er a e un .
B t w h n t o n ativ f ling s t r
u e e ee ue ,
I s tr c k p n a c h rd w a
u u w; o o s ne
Wh n by m ys lf I g t p l y
e e
’
an o a ,
H tri d t o wil my harp aw ay

‘
e e e .
0 c ld t h ha d I l v d o l ng
ou e r o e s o ,
R p r v m y f nd aspiring s ng 2
e o e o o
‘
O c ld hi t ngu
r ou f c nd o r y
s o e o a u sa ,
Th t I sh ld thr w m y h rp aw y 7
a ou o a a
J st wh n h no te s b g n wi th skill
u e er e a ,
T s nd b n t h t h s o th rn hill
o ou e ea e u e ,
And twin ar nd m y b s m s c o r e ou o o
’
e,
H w c ld w p ar t f
o ou ve rm o r e or e e
’
Tw s kindn ss ll I c nno t b l am
a — e a a e
F orb tl ss i t h mins tr l fl am
oo e s e e e
B t s r a b ard mi ght w ll hav kno wn

u u e e e
An th r s f ling by hi w !
o e
’
ee s s o n
10
I t w as n atur al fo r him t o f ancy th at in h appi e r circ u m

st anc e s w ith m o r e s ym p athy fro m wi t h o u t he had i t in
, ,
him t o r an k with his m any i llu stri o u s c o nte mp o rari e s .
Y e t I am afr aid th at if Kilm e n y th o ugh c e rt ain l y n o , ,
a ccid e nt st ands al o ne a m o ng his wo r k s t he d e faul t w as

, ,
r at he r in hi ms e l f t h an in o th e rs ; th at if his s o u l he ld ,
t he g e rms o f n e w Ki lm e n y s t he wi ll w a s w an t ing t o e nd u re ,
in p ati e nce t he p angs o f bringi ng t he m fo rth e qui ppe d t o ,
s o ar an d sing .
P oe ms an d ttrick S h ph rd N w E d iti
Li f
e of By t h
t he E e e . e on . e
Re v . Th m Th m
o L das Bl cki 1 865 Al T h P ti l
o so n . on on : a e , . so e oe ca
W o rk f J m H gg F r v l E d i b rgh Arch C t bl 1 82 2
s o a es o . ou o s . n u : . on s a e, .
1
T h G d G y K tt (T h P tic M ir r ) t 7
e u e re e a e oe ro , s . .
E l gy t 4 3 (P m D c ri t ive an d S e nti men t al)

e s oe s es
,
.
p .
JAMES HOGG 69
3
P r Li ttl J i (M isc lla
oo e S g) t 4
e ss e e n e o us on s , s . .
T h A ld M w l t his W H (P m D c r iptive
’
4
e uF an s ar e ee o ee o us e oe s es
an d S tim t l ) t
en z 9 d 11
en a , s an as an .
6
Blith Ch
e an i (L v S g ) t 1
’
eer e o e on s , s . .
6
W h t h Ky c m
en eH m (M i c lla e S g) t 6
o es a e s e n e o us on s , s . .
7
T th B rd
en Pr m bl (T h Q
a
’
s W k ) ea e e ue e n s
’
a e .
I bid T h Sp ctr Cr d l S g (T h Q W k ) t 1
’ ’
6
.
, e e e s a e on e ue en s a e , s . .
9
T hirt th B rd S g— Kilm y (T h Q
een a W k )
’
s on en e ue e n s
’
a e .
I bid T h Q W k C cl i ’
.
, e ue e n s a e- on us o n .
W A LTE R S A V A G E L A N D O R
1 7 7 5 — 1 8 64
A P OE T wi t h gr e atne ss in hi m ; w ho has wri tte n u n

fo rge tt ab le things I llustri o us in pr o se as in ve rse b u t
.
a lw ays a p o e t As a p o e t a succ e ss an d a f ai l ure

.
,
.
T o b e gi n with a the m e by whi ch he wo u l d hi mse l f h ave

cho se n t o b e ju dge d — in his m e te mpsycho sis as a Gre e k
p o e t he wo r k s m ir ac l e s Study E n ale o s an d Cy m o d ame ia
.
,
P an an d Pitys Cupi d an d P an Eur o p a an d he r Mo t he r

, , ,
Chr ys ao r T he A l tar o f Mo de s ty T he o ut l in e s ar e e x
,
.
qui site l y c le ar ne ve r o u t o f d r awi ng t he grace if s o m e

, ,
t im e s m arb l e c o l d is fin e l y st atue squ e

-
, N o w an d ag ain .
t he w arm l ivi ng m o d e rn b l o o d ass e rt s its e lf in hi m

, ,
an d
t he figur e s ar e suffus e d wi th p ath o s Eve n the n if n o t .

,
Gre e k n e ithe r ar e the y c rud e l y G o thic T he b le nd is

, .
be autifully te mpe re d in T he H a m a d ry a d in Pe l e us an d
'
The tis in t he fir st p art o f Co r y t ho s in t he c o que tting

with he r p e as ant wo o e r o f t he s we e t wo o d nymph who as -
, ,
an y hum an m ai d kn e w th at ,
t o p l y at l o v a e,
Sto ppi g it s b re athin g wh n it b re athe s mo st s o ft

n s e ,
I s swe e te r than t o p l ay o a y p i p ; n n e
1
an d in th at m as te r p ie c e I hi e n e i a an d Ag ame mn o n
p g , ,
t he fin al he ro ic te nd e rn e ss o f t he Vi ctim
An ag e d ma n o w t e d a d wi th t n en r
’
, n ou
O wo rd s te pt sl o wly o a d to o k t he wrist
ne , n, n
Of t he p al m aid n She lo o k t u p a d saw

e e .
, n
T he fill e t o f t he p rie s t a d c alm c o ld e y e s n .
Th t d she whe re he p ar t s to o d a d c ri d
en u rn
’
r en , n e
O f th r g ri v e n o m o r
a e t he shi p s an sail
e e c .
’ 2
W ALTER SAVAGE L AN DOR 71
In ano t he r as ad mi r able T he Esp o us als o f Po l yxe n a t he , ,
m e l anc ho l y de e pe ns into re m o rse l e ss t r age dy all is fr ankl y

He ll e nic It is n o t o f te n th at wi t h Lando r ins ul a r fancy
.
, ,
runs ins o l e ntl y wil d as in Achi ll e s an d He le n a o n I d a F o r

, .
t he m o st p art t he s e lf re str aint is as ad mi r ab le as t he

-
vi vacity It d is t inguishe s itse lf p articul ar l y in t he br a ve

.
re pul s e o f te mpt ati o ns t o m e asur e anci e n t vir t u e by m o d e rn
fl
c ano ns Lan d o r s se nse o f c o nsiste ncy is inc o rru p t ible by
.
’
se ntim e nt H e di smi sse s t he gho st o f Ac hi l le s wi t h a le gacy

.
o f vin di ctive ne ss ag ains t t he H o u s e o f P ri a m wi t ho u t ,
a wo r d o f pity fo r its chi l d his a i an c e d m o s t inn o c e nt , ,
brid e w ho m n o ne
,
H e de d t h sinking a if into d th
e , o
’
s ea .
3
T he s a m e fid e lity t o art istic d u ty pe rv a d e s t he Ac t s an d

Sce ne s fro m R o m an an d m o d e rn hi st o ry .
Occ asi o n all y it m ay b e a d mit t e d he s o m e w hat abus e s

, ,
hi s li be rty w he n he is give n o r a ssum e s a fre e hand as in ,
t he tyr annicid a l sc e ne be t we e n T y r r e l an d Rufus an d in ,
t he thr ill in g de sc ripti o n o f Be atric e Ce nci s e xe cu t i o n

’
M hav b n b rav b t w o m n hav e b n b r v r

en e ee e, u e ee a e
4
In ge ne ral he ke e ps hi s fo o t ing firm l y o ve r m e di e val an d

c l assic al qu agmi r e s H e d o e s n o t pre t e nd t o se t histo ry
.
rig ht w he n as if with inte n t i o n it has wr apt in d ar kne ss

, ,
char acte r s li ke tho s e o f Co u nt Julia n an d Qu e e n Gi o van n a .
Re ad e rs might s o m e tim e s wish t h at he had ind u l ge d a li ttle

at tim e s in an a chro nistic s e n t im e nt a l ity W e fe e l a s ho c k .
,
as in t he p re s e nc e o f a crue l a cti o n at t he br u t is h e xu lt a ,
t i o n o f Kin g He nr y as he he ars o n Richm o nd Chase An ne

,
Bo l e yn s kne ll fro m Paul s

’ ’
H o w w t ly t h t b ll w rb l d th w t r
’ 5
s ee a e a e o er e a e
It must h ave re qu ire d all e ve n Of hi s c o ur age to print t he

sce ne be twe e n yo ung Cae sar io n an d t he murd e ro u s hi re l ing ,
Sc o p as High dr a m atic s ki ll in t he an alysis o f e m o tio ns

.
b u t j u st r e n de rs i t e nd u r ab l e ; an d all t he a d mir ati o n

s t u d e nts mus t fe e l fo r a c o ns u m m ate artist is ne e de d t o
e arn hi s p ard o n fo r t he t o rt u r e he in fl icts u p o n th e m .
Ge nius o we s i t t o i t s e lf t o t he w o r l d t o sho w t he utm o st

, ,
i t c an d o t o se t i t s e lf di ffic u l t t as k s t o c l imb hi gh p e ak s
, ,
w hich l e ad n o w he r e fo r t he att ainm e n t o f e n d s appa re nt l y

,
p r o fi t le ss
. Rig htl y i t is a cc o u nte d an unw o rthy t hing t o
b e c o n t e nt w it h e asy d azz l ing e ffe cts ,

Tru sting t o its .
u ntri e d c ap abi l iti e s i t o f t e n l e aps w ith o u t m e asur ing w id t h

,
o r d e pth . S o m e tim e s i t att e mpts t he i m pr actic ab l e I .
hav e n o d o ubt b u t th at L and o r w ho a ct e d l o yall y u p t o ,
t he o b l ig ati o ns hi s gr e at p o w e rs l aid up o n hi m r e c ko ne d ,
t he He ll e nics an d Acts an d Sc e n e s his f o r e m o st achi e ve

, ,
m e n t s in p o e try H e j u dge d a right I b e l ie ve o f t he

.
, ,
f o rm e r if n o t o f t he l at te r Un happi ly t he publ ic o f f air

, .
,
in t e llige nc e sc arce l y agre e d wi t h t he au tho r in hi s l ife ti m e ,
an d agr e e s y e t l e ss n o w Its e rr o r as I c o nsid e r t he ne g le c t

.
, ,
has c o ntribut e d t o a s e c o nd an d c o st l i e r o n e It has in .
v o l ve d a mu lt itu d e o f pie ce s p o sse ss e d o f e ve ry titl e t o

p o pu l ari t y e x c e pt t he f a c t
, .
L and o r t e ll s a st o ry as fe w p o e t s c an Wi t ne ss t he .
ch arming t al e o f t he h ap l e ss l o v e o f Gui d o ne an d Lu ci a .
N e ve r w a s the r e a m o r e righ t e o us cri t ic y e t w ith w h a t

c har m in c o nf e ssing an d e x c u sing f au lts in tho s e w h o m ,
l i ke C at u ll us he l o ve s
,
Y e i Thali a s o
’
s, n s n
S ch stain s th r a — a wh n a G rac
u e e re s e e
Sp ri k l s a th r s l ghi ng f ac
n e no e
’
au e
With n ctar d r e , an un s o n
6
N e ve r w as t he re o n e o f his fi e ry n atur e mo r e de l ic ate l y

discri min ating m o r e sign ally wi t h o ut m al igni t y o r j e al o u sy
,
0
Tw nty y ars h c t h it m ay h
e e en e, o
’
ap
Th t I b ll d t t k
a ap e ca
’
o a e a n
I c l c ell wh r th nd r cl ap
n a oo e e u e -
W n v r h rd as e e ea ,
The r b r ath b t o my ar ch o f grass

e, e e u
’
er
A t t sadly igh d Al as
no oo s
’
An d I sh ll c atc h y p ass
a , ere o u c an ,
Th t winged wo rd a .
9
Lo v d wh m y l v f r m all b t th had fl o w
e ,
en o e o u ee n ,
Co m n a r m s t th o this l v l s to e
e e e ea ee n e e n
A d e
n ,
th l k st o t h ch rchyard wall
re ou oo e
’
er e u ,
T o c atc h as nc w d id y o w te rfa ll
, o e e , n a ,
Lo o k a b ri f m o m nt t h t rf b tw n
e e on e u e ee ,
And a t o mb th
se e n v r y t h st s n ou e e e a ee .
My spirit will b th d t h r o c m r e so o
’
o ea n e o e
Go o d b y s g nt l y s p k n a s b e f r
- e a e o e o e .
10
Th r w t fl w rs th t nly b l o w by night
e e ar e s ee o e a o ,
An d sw e t t rs a th r th t v id t h li ght ;
e ea re e e a a o e
N o m rt l s s th m ft r d y i b o rn
o a ee e a e a s ,
Th y lik t he d w dr p tr m bling fr m th ir tho rn

e , e e , o e o e .
11
V ry tr t h l in t sing
e ue , e ne s
S w t st i t he l av s f pri g
ee e n e e o s n
Y h v f o nd i all th s l av s
ou a e u n e e e e
Th t whi ch chang s a d d e c iv s
a e n e e ,
A d t pin by , star
o ne sun o r ,
L ft th m false o n s a th y a
e e , e s e re .
B t th r b w ho w lk b sid
u e e e a e e
A t m s till th y ll hav di d
u u n
’
e a e e ,
A d wh l nd
n p ti t a o e a a en e r
T lo w n te s f ro m b ra c h s se r
o o n e e .
Ah what avails t h s c ptre d rac e e e,
Ah what t he f o rm di vi ne
W h t v ry virt a v ry g r a c
e e ue , e e e
R s Aylm r all w r thi

o e e . e e ne .
W ALTER SAVAGE LA N DOR 75
R o se Aylm r wh m th w k f l y s e , o e se a e u e e
May w p b t vr ee ,
u ne e se e ,
A i ght f m m rie s d f sighs

n o e o an o
I c o ns r t t o t h ec a e ee .
16
T h l av e s a
e ef lli g o m I re a n s a
T h f w l ate fl o we rs h v m o ist r i t h
e e
y a e u e n e e e
S hav I t o o e o .
Sc rc l y o a y b gh i h ard
a e n n ou s e
J yo v n nj y s bird
o u s, o r e e u o ou ,
T h wh l w o o d t hr g h
e o e ou .
Winte r m ay c m h b rings b t igh r o e e u n e
H is c ircl (y arl y narro wing ) t t h fi

e e o e re
Wh o ld f ri ds m t ;
e re en ee
Le t him o w h av i o v r c as t
n e en s e -
,
A d s p ri g a d s mm r b th
n n p ast n u e o ar e ,
A d all thi g
n w t n s s ee .
16
M th r I c nn t mi d my wh l
o e ,
a o n ee
My fing rs ac h my li ps e dry e ar e
Oh if y o f l t t h p ain I f l
,
u e e ee
B t h w ho v r f l t a I
u o , e e e s
N o l o g r c o ld I d bt him t r
n e u ou ue
All th r m m ay
o d c it ;
e en u se e e
H alw ay s aid m y y s w r b l
e s e e e e ue ,
A d fte n sw o r m y li p s w r sw t
n o e e e ee .
15
An d , l as tl y
I it o dr m that I m h
s n ea a e
Who m e aw k ll i ght on a e a n
R s o th e e rerli s t birds t e e ea e o s e,
An d m t by d aw s e d lig ht
’
e n r
W h wh t he wi try l m p s w r s p nt
o, en n a e e e ,
A d ll w as dr r
n a d d ark ea an ,
Ag inst t h ru gg d p ar tr l nt
a e e e - ee ea
Whil i c rac k t o ff t h b ark

e ce e
W h li tt l h d d l t a d b l a t
o e ee e s ee n s ,
B t m ch t h f alli g
u uw; e n sn o
Th s i f w h rs wo ld s r b p a t
o e n e ou u u e e s ,
Hi s t rac s th t might h w e a s o
B tw e n who se kne s un s e n unhe ard
e e e ,
e , ,
T h ho ne s t m ast i ff c am
e e,
N o i c ar d h ; w a he fe a d
’ ’
r o n e n , or s r
T ll m am I t he sam
e e, e
c me t he same du ll st ars we ll se e
0 o
’
,
T h s am e o e r clo u d e d m o o n
’
e .
0 c o me ! a d te ll m e am I he ? n
0 te ll me t e ll m e s o o n ,
.
16
On e an d all m agic al Y e t the s e nin e ar e o n l y sp e cim e ns

,
o f a ho st inc lu di ng pe rh aps o the r s fo r m any mind s

, .
, ,
l o ve l i e r sti ll In de e d t he l ab o ur o f trying t o acc o unt by

.
,
e x a mp l e s fo r t he h o m ag e I ha ve re nd e r e d t o t he singe r
d o ubtl e ss has be e n sup e r flu o u s w he n I d ar e s ay it c o u l d , , ,
hav e b e e n j u stifie d as a d e qu ate l y by a c o up l e o f l ine s

I l o ve d him o t a d y e t n o w he i s g o ne n n ,
I f e l I am al one e .
S t r ange th at a m u ltitu de o f t he li ke sho ul d n o t b e h o us e

,
ho ld w o rds Wh at iro ny o f l ite r ary f ate t h at t he p o e t s ’
n a m e sho ul d b e inscribe d a m o ng t he high l y ho n o ure d in

Engl ish l ite r ature an d his p o e ms r e m ain u nl e ss fo r a s m all
, ,
min o ri t y virt u ally a s e al e d b o o k

,
H e has m e t wi th a d o o m an al o go u s t o t h a t de si gne d by
St R o m u ald s vo t arie s acco rding t o S o uthe y s b all ad
.
’
,
’
,
fo r the i r ho l y t o wn sm an H e has be e n s anctifie d by .
a pr e m atur e de ath W hi l e he o ugh t t o b e sti ll l ivi ng an d

.
r e ad he has be e n e l e vate d int o t he di gnifie d re p o s e o f

,
a c l assic Co ntr aste d qu al iti e s in hi m ar e e qu ally r e sp o n

.
sibl e H e s u ffe rs b o th fr o m diffus e ne ss an d fro m c o m

.
pre ssi o n Ge bi r is a t hic ke t o f gr an d p o e tic al pr o pe rtie s

. .
S o no r o u s gu sts o f fi t fu l sh ad o w y i de as b l o w ab o ut it , .
T he y c o nst an tl y e l ud e an y o rdin ary m e nt al grasp T he .
t ri l o gy having fo r its c e ntr e m is e rab l e Que e n Gi o vann a is

, ,
a l abyr inth o f a hun d re d an d f o r ty p ag e s in w hi ch hi st o r y

,
W ALTER SAVAGE LAN DOR 77
an d r o m anc e go astr ay mimic k ing o n e an o t he r s v o ice

,
’
S o m e tim e s o n t he o the r h and as in Co re sus an d Call ir ho e

, , ,
an d in m any o f t he l yrics he is s o pre cipit ate l y bri e f t h a t

,
t he c l im a x is an affr o nt T he n in t he l o nge r p ie ce s b ase d

.
,
o n histo ry he is a t af t e r an e vi l an d f av o u rite h abi t o f

p ,
t he British Le gis l ature t o p ro c e e d ,

by re fe re nc e T hat
is he ass u m e s that t he r e al e ve nts ar e kno wn o r wi ll be
, ,
l o o ke d up N o t l e ss o ffe nsive t o p o pu l ar t aste is t he w an t

.
o f sifting Me re e xe rcis e s l i ke t he tri al o f A e schyl u s t he

.
, ,
b an dying o f indiffe re nt c o mp l im e nts be twe e n hi m an d

S o ph o c l e s t he s l au ghte r o f Co r y t ho s by his f athe r an d
, ,
t he r e sc u e o f A l c e stis by He rcu l e s e l b o w sc e ne s o f abs o l ute

,
l o ve l ine ss s u ch as T he H a m adr y ad I p hige n e ia t he fir s t

, , ,
p art o f Co r y t ho s Pe l e u s an d The tis an d Po l yxe n a A

, , .
si mi l ar w an t o f ass o r t m e n t d o u b tl e ss has he l pe d t o sp o i l
e ve n t he g a rd e n o f l yr ics fo r a pub l ic w hic h wi ll n o t b e
a t t he p ains t o distinguish b e t we e n fl o we rs an d w e e ds .
T he s a m e pub l ic d o ci l e w he n it is a qu e s t i o n o f e c o n o my
,
o f br ain wo rr y ha s b e e n s atisfi e d t o t ake it o n tr ust fr o m

-
,
t he initi at e d th at L an d o r is a p o e t w ho si t s o n t he d ais .
It d o e s n o t tro u bl e t o sc ru t iniz e his righ t W e re i t t o .
inqu ir e it wo u l d l e arn t h at he had t he p o e t s gift o f i m

,
’
p arting t o his ve rs e o ve r an d ab o ve all e l s e a fe e li ng as

, ,
if o f a spiri t having ho ve r e d n e ar T he attribu te is t o be .
p riz e d be yo nd all o the rs w he n appre he nd e d fo r it is t he

,
re ad e rs t he n as much as t he wr it e r s an d e ve ry wr ite r
’ ’
re j o ic e s t o s hare t he d e l ight wi t h t he m L and o r it is t o .

,
b e fe ar e d had l itt l e o f t hat p l e as u r e

,
B u t t he p o p ula r .
c o l dne ss which w as his o rdin ary e xpe ri e nce c ann o t h ave

, ,
d e prive d hi m o f t he r apture o f fe e l ing t he d e sce nt o f i n

spir ati o n I re a d a s e ns e at l e as t o f t hi s s u pre m e jo y in
.
his o wn r e vie w o f a c are e r w hich impr e ss e d hi s c o nte m

i h r ss d — h w ve r n e e d l e ss l y— cr o ss gr a in e d
p o r ar a a a o e -
e s s e ,
in e ffe ctu al , unhappy With spiritual Vi sit ati o ns such
an d .
as f av o ur e d him he c ann o t have w h o ll y m o c ke d hi ms e l f

,
in t he f are we ll whi c h whi l e i t c harms b r ings s o m e ho w an

, , ,
a ch e t o a d miring he a r t s
I st ro v wit h no fo o n was w o rt h m y s t r if e
e ne r n e .
N t r I l o v d a d n xt t o N at r Art
a u e e , n , e u e,
I w m d b o th hands b f o r t h fi r e o f li f
’
ar e e e e
I t sin ks an d I am r ad y t o d part , e e .
17
T he W o rk s an d L if e of W lt r S v g
a e a a e L an dr o . Ei hg t v ls Ch pm
o . a an
an d H ll a , 1 87 6 . Vo l . v ii, G b ir ; Act
e s an d Sc e n es ; H ll ic V l viii
e en s . o .
Mis c ll
e an e o u s P oe ms .
1
T he H yad (H ll ic )
a m ad r e en s .
1
I p hi g i d Ag m m
e n e a an (H ll ic ) a e n on e en s .
6
Th E p e l f P lyx (H ll ic )
s o u sa s o o en a e en s .
B tric C ci (Di l g i V )
ea e en a o ues n e rse .
H y t h E ighth d A B l y (Di l g i V rs
en r e an nn e o e n a o ue s n e e ) .
6
O C t ll
n (T h La t Fr i t ff
a u us Old T r E pig r m e s u o an ee, a s, v i ) .
7
Y g (L t Fr it & I bid
o un as u , c .
,
6
Mi c ll
s e P m C ll cti
an e o u s f 1 84 6 N 63 oe s, o e on o , o . .
9
I b id N 58
.
, I bid N
o . 200.
16
.
, o . .
11
Ad d iti l P m N 9 6 ona oe s, o . .
M i c ll a e
s e P m C ll cti f 1 84 6 N o 1 5 2
n o us oe s, o e on o , . .
11
I bid N 1 02 I b id N o 2 1 3
o . .
1‘
.
, . .
I b id N 93 .
, I b id N
o . 61 .
1°
.
, o . .
17
P fix d t v l m
re T h L t Fr it ff
e o Old T r
o u e : e as u o an ee . E . M o xo n ,
1 85 3 .
T H OM A S M O O R E
1 7 7 9— 1 8 5 2
C OUR A G E is r e qu ire d t o pr ais e Mo o re e ve n m o d e r ate l y .
Admi r at i o n o f hi m is l i ke l y t o b e t ake n as e vid e nce o f

a pr e fe r e nc e o f s o und t o s e ns e an d o f a pr o p e nsity t o t he
,
he in o us cri m e o f che ap s e nsibi l i t y N o twiths t an di n g li a

.
b ili t y t o the s e t e rrib l e c harg e s I wil l n o t with o u t a s t ruggl e

,
b e p arte d fr o m o ld f a v o u ri t e s in his l ife s w o r k N o w as

’
.
fo rm e r l y I find in i t a p o w e r o f affo r di ng t o p articul ar m o o ds

t he s atisf a c t i o n t he y h a ve b e e n cr a ving N o t m e r e l y ar e
.
the re sp e ci al p o e ms w hi ch I c o ul d n o t c o nse n t t o ab and o n

the re e ve n is a spiri t in t he w h o l e w hi ch ass e rts fo r i t
a right t o l o dg e wi t hi n t he r e c o gniz e d p o e t ic d o m a in .
Mu ch o f Mo o re s pu b lishe d w o r k I wi ll ing ly all o w has

’
, ,
l o ng be e n o u t o f d at e T he sm o o t hne ss o f hi s An a cr e o n
.
is n o t He ll e ni c e n o u gh t o c o nte n t m o d e rn sc ho l arship .
T he viv aci t y o f hi s p o l i t ic a l an d s o ci a l s at ire e v ap o r ate d

a s i t hi t i t s m a r k T he Tw o p e nny P o s t b ag T he In te r
.
-
,
c e p t e d Le tt e rs ,
an d T he F u dge F a mi l y in P a ris wi t h a ,
l e gi o n o f p o l i t ic al e pigr a ms ar e fo rgo tt e n an d i t is use le ss

,
t o c o mp l ain . The ir hu m o u r an d wit s o m e t im e s r i o to us

, ,
O ft e n e r c aus t ic a lw ays
, g y
a an d au d a ci o u s r e quire t o o ,
m u ch r e a ding in be twe e n t he l ine s o f sc and al s c o nne cte d

-
, ,
wi t h Car lt o n H o u s e — n o l o nge r a Whig c e n t re — an d i t s

un wi e l dy m as t e r F o r ve ry di ffe re n t r e as o ns Lall a R o o k h
.
is si mi l arl y ne gle cte d T he re al s o I e qu al ly re c o gn ize

.
t he u s el e ssne ss o f qu arr e ll ing wi t h public t a ste T he .
di ffu s e ne ss e spe ci all y in T he Fire W o rshi ppe r s an d a w ant

, ,
o f r e as o n abl e ne ss t o w ards which F ad lad e e n re ally w as
,
o ve r t o l e r an t
-
in t he e ntir e sc he m e o f t he t al e o f T he
,
Ve i le d Pro p he t might have be e n e xc u s e d T he t r e atm e n t

,
.
o f t he g e n e r a l t he m e a s if it w e r e a h u ge o p e r at ic l ib re tt o ,
a m e d l e y o f m u sic al sp e ct a c l e s w as f at al Mo o r e had , .
l e arn t s o p e rfe c tl y t he ar t o f writing wo rds t o an air that

he c o mp o s e d a p o e m o f t he dim e nsi o ns o f an e pic o n t he
s a m e l ine s T he cr o w d o f im age ry in a w o r k o n that sc al e
.
is be wi l d e ring T he c o ve ring p l o t is sm o the r e d in r o se s

.
i t is dr o wn e d in a b u tt o f s we e t m al mse y T he w ho l e .
pr o d u c e s t he e ffe c t n o t s o m u ch o f p o e try p u r e an d simpl e

a s o f p o e try in s o l u ti o n .
A ll t h at re m ains p o sitive l y e xt ant o u t o f a p ro l o nge d

an d ind u s t ri o u s c a r e e r s achi e ve m e nt is an a cc u m u l ati o n o f
’
l yrics N atu r all y t he y di ffe r wid e l y in de gr e e s o f m e ri t

. .
A fe w d e s e rve t o survi ve by V i rtue o f the ir s aucy ins o l e nce

fo r e x mp l e
a — j u ve ni le e x e rcise t ho u gh it w as
W h I l d y u I c n t b t allo w
en ov
’
o ,
a
’
u
I had m a y a x q i it min t n n e u s e u e
B t t h s c rn that I f l f
u e y w o ee or ou n o
H th v n m o r l x r y i it
a e e e u u n .
T h s w h th r w r o
u , w r ff e e e
’
e n or e
’
e o ,
S m wi tc h ry s ms t o w i t y o
o e e ee a a u
T l v y o w a pl a
o t n gh
e ou s e san e ou ,
A d h t i d li ci s t h te y o ’ 1
n o s e ou o a u
T he c l as hing m e l o dy wi ll r e sc u e o n e at l e ast o f t he S acre d

S o ngs :
S d t h l d tim b r l
o un e ou E gypt s d rk e o er
’ ’
a se a
J h v h h t i mph d — hi p pl
e o a as r u fr ’
s eo e ar e ee .
Si g— f t h p rid o f t h tyr nt i b r k
n or e e e a s o en ,
H i c h ri ts hi h rs m
s a o all s pl
,
did a d b rav
s o e en , en n e
H w v i w a th ir b
o a n t f t h Lo rd hath b t s po k n
s e o as , or e u e ,
A d c h ri t
n d h rs m n a
a o s k i th w v
s an o e e re un n e a e .
S d th l d timb r l
o un e ou E gypt d ark e o er
’ ’
s se a
J h v h ha tri mph d— hi p pl a f r
e o a s u e s eo e re ee .
2
—
NO m r c hi f an d l adie s b right
o e to e s
T he harp o f Tara sw e ll s
T h c ho rd al o ne that b r ak s at nig ht
e ,
e ,
I t s t al e o f ru in t ll s e .
T h s Fre e d o m n w so ldo m wake s

u o se ,
T h o n l y thro b he g iv
e s e s,
I whe s o m e he ar t indi g a t b re ak
s n n n s,
T o Sho w that s till she l iv e s 5
or tr agic p at h o s in
Oh b re athe t hi nam l t i t sl p i t he shad
no s e, e ee n e,
W h r c o ld a d un ho o d hi r li c s a laid
e e n n ur
’
s e re
S ad s il nt
, d d ark b t he t ars that w she d
e , an ,
e e e ,
As t he night d w that f alls o t h g rass o hi he d

-
e n e
’
er s a .
B u t t he night d e w th t f all th gh i sil nc it w p

- a s, ou n e e ee s,
S h ll b righte n wi th v rd r t h g rav h r h sl ps
a e u e e e W e e e ee
A d t h te r th t w sh d t h gh i s c r t i t r ll
n e a a e e , ou n e e o s,
S hall l o g k p hi m m ry g r i o s ls
n ee s e o e en n ur ou
6
A ll e xhal e a g all ant assur ance th at t im e has n o p o we r ,
u n l e ss w e ab e t it t o grind o u r s o u ls t o d u st b e tw e e n its
,
r e m o rs e le ss mi ll st o n e s that if w e c ho o s e w e c an go o n
-
, ,
s u nning o u rs e l ve s in t he smil e s o f t he yo ung an d f ai r ;

t hat t he re is n o s u ch t hing as d e cre pit c are w o rn age ,
-
I t is whi l b ty a d y th a thin w
not e e au n ou re e o n ,
A d t hy c h ks p fa d by a te ar
’
n ee un ro n ,
T h t t h f v r d f i th f a u l c a b k w
fl
a e er ou an a o so n e no n ,
T whi c h t im will b t m k th
o m r d r e u a e ee o e ea
N t h h rt that ha t r l y lo d n v r f rg ts
’
o, e ea s u v e e o e ,
B t t r ly l o v o t o t h c l o
u as u es n e se ,
A ths we su nt r s he g d w h n h s t
-
o er u n on r o e e e s,
T h s am l o k whi ch h t d wh n h r s 7
’
e e o s e ur n e e o e
t hat jo y is im m o r t al fo r t he f ai t hfu l an d br ave

L t F at e d o h
e w r t the r a e r li c s o f jo y
er o s , e r e ,
Bright dre ams o f t he p ast whi ch sh c anno t de stro y , e

THOMAS MOORE 83
Whi c h c me i t h nig ht t im o f so rr w a d c ar
o n e -
e o n e,
And b ri g b ack t h f t r s th t jo y d t w ar
n e ea u e a u se o e .
Lo ng lo ng b my h rt with s ch m m ri s fill d
, e ea u -
e o e
’
Lik t h v a i whi ch ro s s h v o c b di t ill d

e e se n e a e n e ee n s
’
Y u may b re k y
o m ay shatt r t h v as if y
a , will
ou e e e, ou ,
B u t t h sc nt o f t h r s s will h ng r nd it s till
e e e o e a ou
6
t hat it w as t he Irishm an s duty t o pr ay fo r t he pr o spe ri t y ’
o f his c o untry ; an d e x u l t s ho u l d it c o m e bu t th at his l o ve ,
w as h e rs n o w o n a cc o unt o f he r a d ve rsi t y
R m m be r th
e e Y s whil the r s l if i this h art
ee e , e e
’
e n e ,
I t shall n v r f rg t th e all l rn a tho a t

e e o e e , o s u r
Mo r d ar i t hy s rro w t hy gl o m d t hy sh w rs
e e n o , o ,
an o e ,
Than t h r t o f t h w rld i th ir s i st ho rs
e es e o n e un n e u .
W rt tho u all th t I wi sh th g re at gl ri s d fr
e a ee , , o ou , an ee ,
First fl o w r o f t h a rth a d fi rst g m f t h s a

e e e , n e o e e ,
I mi g ht hail th wi t h p r d e r wi th happ i r b r w
ee ou , e o ,
B t h c ld I l o ve th e m o r d pl y th n o w 2 9
‘
u O ou e e ee a n
If I d o n o t qu o t e fr o m t he L ast R o s e o f Sum m e r it is n o t
fl
,
be c au s e it is h ack ne ye d It is t h at I suppo s e the r e is n o .
Engl ish s o ng w hich dw e ll s m o re h abitu all y o n t he l ips o f

m e m o ry .
The re s ho u l d b e n o d i ic u lt y at an y rate in a d mit t in g ‘
t he t it l e o f such ve rs e t o e n tranc e wi t hi n t he l yr ic al hi e r archy .
In t he ce ntu ry pre c e ding his bir t h is o l ate d Eng l ish s o ngs ,
he re an d t he re m ay b e fo und t o b e se t ag ainst hi s T h o ugh .
Sc o tl an d tw e nty ye ars e ar l ie r had pr o d uce d B urns t he ,
re st o f t he Unite d Kingd o m c an sh o w n o b o dy o f l yr ics

t o m atch th e m s inc e H e rric k s H e had a ri ght t o d o m o r e
’
.
t h an b o ast th at as his o wn is l and s min stre l he w as t he ’

,
fir st o f his l ine
D e ar H arp o f m y C o ntry i d rkn ss I f nd th u n a e ou ee,
Th c o ld c h in f sil c had h ng th lo ng ’
e a o en e u o er ee ,
Wh p r dly m y w Isl nd H rp I nbo d th

en , ou , o n a a , u un ee,
A d g av all t hy c h rd t li g ht f r d o m a d
n e o ng s o ,
ee , n so
1°
F 2
S o u th T we e d he c o ul d c l ai m t he s a m e pr e c e de nc e
of t he .
H is as i s nging p o e try — d r awing r o o m singing p e rh aps

-
,
,
o ccupi e s a p l ac e by its e l f Opinio ns m ay di ffe r o n t he

.
e x a ct r an k o f t he w h o l e d e p artm e nt in l it e r at ur e At all .
e ve nts he w o u ld b e a b o ld critic w ho sh o u ld atte mpt t o

,
w arn t he c l ass o ff t he s l o pe s o f Parn ass u s In n o c as e .
c o u l d he m ake o u t go o d warr ant fo r b e ginn i ng t he o str a

c is m w ith Mo o re .
Fr o m an o the r p o int o f vi e w he c an ass e rt an e xce pti o n al

c l aim t o re g ar d T he m e e ting o f p o e try an d mu sic in his
.
ve rs e n atur al as it m ay s e e m is phe n o m e n al T he t w o
, ,
.
ar e siste r arts w hi ch by n o m e an s n e c e ss ari l y a gr e e Ofte n .

,
e sp e ci all y o f l at e the y h ave be e n in de a d l y ant ag o nism

,
.
I t is i mp o ssibl e n o t t o re j o ic e w he n the ir uni o n is sp o n

t an e o us as in t he Mus e o f Mo o re
,
H e has hi ms e lf d e c l are d
.
t h at he c o nsi de r e d hi s s o ngs a s o rt o f c o mp o u nd cr e ati o ns ,
in whi ch t he music fo rm e d n o l e ss e ss e nti al a p ar t th an t he

ve rs e s H e l a m e nte d t hat he had t o print e diti o ns i n
fl
whi ch the y we re s e p ar ate d fro m t he airs 11
Lyrics w itho ut .
a mus ic al s e tting a ppe are d t o hi m t o b e a c o n t r a dicti o n
in t e r ms As w e re a d his w e m ay a l m o st he a r hi m w ar b l in g
,
t he m as the y o w Mus ic pe rp e tu ally has be e n an d is

.
,
b e ing m ade a c o ve r fo r e xe cr ab l e ve rs e N o o n e with

, .
j ustice c an s ay this o f t he Me l o di e s T he y always ar e .
s we e t if o cc asi o n ally t o e xce ss an d with a fe e l ing ge nu ine

, ,
s o far as it g o e s H ad ind e e d hi s r aptur e s be e n w h o ll y

.
a rtifici al o r hi s in di gn ati o n e ve r f a l s e an int e ll ige nc e ke e n

, ,
a s his an d a sp ir it as up right
,
wo uld h ave b anne d the m
,
l o ng be fo re hi s c e ns o rs d e t e cte d t he sho rtc o m ings A .
ge ne r o us an d kind l y he ar t c o nst an tl y is p l aying an d as , ,
e v id e nt l y a s ag a ci o u s br ain i s c o nduc t ing t he o r che str a

, .
In t he f ace o f dive rs fin e p o e t ic qu alitie s e ng age d in

u nis o n it is di s app o int ing fo r m e as a j u r o r— n o t a ju d g e
,
THOMAS MOORE 85
while I grant t he c l aims o f an e ntire c l ass o f t he ve rs e t o ,
have t o re turn an a dve rs e ge ne ral ve rdi ct in t he Co urt

o f p o e tic ar t ag ainst its auth o r G l ad l y I qu al ify it by .
e xte n u ting ci r c mst nc s I adm i re t he m an I l o ve

a u a e —
m any o f t he p o e ms I c o n de mn t he p o e t The d e cisi o n is .
p ainfu l b u t un avo i d abl e A p o e t m u st b e pro no u nce d a

,
.
fai lure whe n he has n o p o w e r o f s o wing in his r e ad e rs t he

ge rm s o f fu ture tho ugh t s o r impu ls e s H o w l o ng d id e ve r .
e m o ti o n l ast w hich w as s t i rr e d by t he pi t ifu ln e ss o f P ar adi se
an d t he Pe ri o r t he s a dn e ss o f T he M instr e l B o y ?
,
T he
faul t is radic al I fe ar Re s ul t s ar e p ro p o rti o n ate t o the ir
,
.
c ause s an d s o ng t o l ive an d b e fruitfu l m u st h ave be e n, ,
b o rn in tr avai l N atu r e w as u n kind l y kind t o Mo o re as

.
,
t o He rric k in e n do wing him with an e ar t o o instinc t ive l y

,
t r u e t o o misce ll ane o u s a symp athy an d a wit t o o d o ci le

, ,
an d d e xt e r o us H i s gifts s e duc e d hi m in t o di sr e g ar d ing

.
hi s o w n a xi o m — w hi ch a gr e e s w ith H e rr ic k s t o o — th at
’
l abo ur t o t he wri t e r is a c o n diti o n o f an y gre at pl e asur e

t o t he r e ad e r Othe rwis e i t is inc o nce ivabl e th at m o st ,
o f t he p r o d u c e o f an i m agin ati o n fe rti le l i ke hi s aft e r ,
h aving be e n w o rshipp e d by c o nte mp o r arie s sho u l d be l o s t ,
an d f o rg o tte n e xc e p t fo r its c as u a l an d hal f c o n t e mptu o u s

,
pre s e rvati o n in a ntiqu ate d pi an o sc o r e s .
T he P t ic l
oe a W o rk s of T ho m as M o o r e . C ll ct d by Him lf
o e e se . Ten
vl
o s . Lo n gm an s, 1 85 3 .
1
T (J v il P m ) u en e oe s .
1
iri m S g t 1 (S cr d S g ) l i
M a
’
s on , s . a e on s , vo . v.
3
A C d i B t S g W ritt
an a t h Riv r St L wr c (P m
an oa on . en on e e . a en e oe s
r l ti g t Am ric ) t z l 2
e a n o e a ,
s an as , .
Sc tch Ai (N ti l Air )
o rT h H rp (I ri h M l di )
a on a s .
6
e a s e o es .
6
Oh Br th N t t 2ea B li v m
e o s . .
7
e e e e
6
F r w ll
a e t 3 e s . .
9
R m mb r Th
e e t z 1 2 e ee s an as , .
1°
D r H rp ea t 1 a P r f c — P tic l W rk s . .
11
e a e oe a o s.
11
A M l l g p N ti l M ic— Ad v rti m t l v p 1 1 9
e o o ue u on a ona us e se en , vo .
, . .
J A M E S H E N RY L E I G H H U N T
1 7 8 4— 1 85 9
A S T A T E S M AN in d e dic ating a m e m o ri al t o Le igh H u n t

, ,
c o nfe ss e d t o littl e k n o wl e d g e o f his writings T he s am e .
ad mi ssi o n a s t o
,
all b u t o n e s ho r t p o e m m ig ht b e m ad e
,
by a m aj o rity o f e du c ate d Eng l is hm e n I sh o u l d l i ke t o
fl
.
b e ab l e t o tre at t he n e g l e ct a s r e fl e cting h o n o ur o n t he
n ati o n al ge nius fo r h avi ng pr o d u ce d autho rs o f such
me rit an d in such p l e nty as t o have re nd e re d hi m sup e r
, ,
uo us . At all e ve nts an y w ho t ake up a vo l um e by

,
Le igh Hun t fo r t he first tim e wi ll b e s u rpris e d at its rar e

d istincti o n o f style B u t the y o u ght t o b e hurt if n o t by
.
,
re gre t fo r a p le asur e the y h av e hi the rto d e ni e d the ms e l v e s ,
by s o m e s e ns e o f ingratitud e t o t he ki nd l y spirit w hich

de v o te d its e lf d u ring l o ng ye ars t o t he e nd e avo u r t o e nte r
t ain a c are l e ss pu b l ic .
Gr ac e is a spe ci al qu al i t y I t is n o t t he highe st Be ings

. .
o f a l o fty n atur e m ay b e d e stitute o f i t An a d di tio n o f

.
an e xc e ll e nc e wi ll s o m e t im e s m ar it o r o bsc u r e t he i m
,
pre ssi o n o f its p re s e nc e T ho ugh ve ry far fr o m b e ing

.
a d e fin iti o n o f g e nuin e p o e t r y t he N o thing t o o much c o m

,
- -
m o n ly is p art o f o n e . Witho u t c l aiming fo r Le igh Hunt

that he n e ve r o ffe n d s ag ainst t he c an o n I be l ie ve his ,
instinct fo r it t o b e ge ne r all y t ru e Wh ate ve r e l se hi s

.
p o e try is n o t al m o st invari ab l y it is in p e rfe ct t aste I

, .
ne ve r b e gin T he Sto ry o f Rimini witho ut a pre judice

ag ainst its e xiste nc e . Whe n D ante had d o n e it all in
s i x d o z e n inim it ab l e l in e s i t is s acri l e ge t o pre te nd t o
,
JAMES HE N RY LEIGH H UN T 87
inte rpre t an d de ve l o p Le igh Hu nt s o wn e xqu isite

.
’
re nd e ring o f t he o rigin al is its e l f a s u ffici e n t re b u ke o f

1
his atte mpt at e xp l aining Y e t I alw ays e n d by ac kn o w .
l e dging t o mys e lf t h at if i t w e re t o b e d o n e t he d e cline

, ,
o r ris e fr o m inn o c e nt b o y an d gir l fri e ndship t o p assi o n a t e

- -
l o ve c o u l d n o t have be e n m o re d e l ic ate l y s had o we d .
T he s a m e pr ais e c an b e be st o w e d an d wi t h o u t fe ar he r e ,
o f D an t e s a wf u l fr o wn o n t he r e j u ve n e sc e nc e c o n f e rr e d
’
,
upo n t he trage dy o f He r o an d Le and e r an o ld t ale , ,
d y t y ng an e as ou
An d warm wi th lif s v r mi s t r l s ng e a e e n e u
a chr o nic l e a s
f t w o t hat di d l as t ig ht
o e n ,
So mi ght th y o w hav li d d o h v di d
’
e n e v , an s a e e
T h st ry s h art t o m e s till b t ag i st i t s id
’ 6
e o e , ,
ea s a n s e .
Grac e ag ain c arri e s aw ay an y suggesti o n o f c o arse ne ss in

, ,
T he G e nt l e A rm o ur if it c an n o t an y m o r e t h an in a be t te r
, ,
k n o wn l ate r p o e m o n t he s a m e s u bj e ct ve i l t he m e d i ae v al ,
brut al ism o f t he G o div a myth i t s e l f E l se whe re whe n an .

,
id e a o f Le igh Hunt s is in itse l f n o bl e it re sis t s t he t e m p t a

’
,
t i o n t o o ve r gr o w i t s e l f R o se s an d l i l ie s vi o l e ts sw e e t
.
, ,
bri e r an d p o ppie s in his nine te e nth ce ntu ry g ar de n might

,
-
ha ve b e e n g at he re d by Ari e l in his r o a mings fr o m Pr o sp e ro s

’
Atl antis 3
.
T he k in dl y instinct d o e s n o t d e s e rt his p e n e ve n whe n

t he s ati ri st an d victim o f t he e l d e r l y r o ya l A do nis tur ns
vo l unte e r L aur e at e an d sings t he pre t t i e s t o f lull abie s o ve r
,
t he c ra d l e o f a Que e n s b ab e
’
W l c m e b d b sid e t h ro s
e o ,
u e e e,
O wh s s t m n saf ty g ro ws
o e e o ur e
W l c o m li ttl S x n G l ph
e e, e a o ue
W l c m f thin o w sm all l f ;
e o e, or e n se
88 FIVE CEN TURIES OF EN GLISH VE RSE
N o u ght o f all t he ws w sin g ne e
s kn w swe e t i gn o r nt thing
D o t th o u o , a
N u ght f p l an t s l o v pe o p l s ’ ’
o o e e, n or e
N o d o s t h ar t h gidd y s te e p l e s
r e e
C aro lli g f th a d thin n o ee n e,
had r ai d th m wi n
’ ’
A if h a
s e v n n e e .
t hy f ath e r s l vi g h and
’ ’
E en o n
N o wise d s t tho un d rs tand o u e ,
W h n he m ak s th f e bl y g rasp
e e ee e
H i fi g e rs wi th a tiny c l as p
s n
N o d o st kn w t hy v ry m o the r s
’
r o e
B almy b o so m f r m an the r s o o
’
,
N o r t he y s th t whil th y f o ld the e
e e a ,
e e ,
N v r a
e no gh b h ld th
e c n e u e o ee .
Mo th r t ru e a d go o d ha sh
e n s e,
Li ttl st r g e b n t o th on one, ee ee .
Sh h s d n h
e a s tr nu o u s d ty
o e er e u
T t hy b r in
o d t t hy b a ty a an o e u ,
Till th c m t b l ss m b rightou a
’
e a o o ,
W rth t h k i f ai a d light
o e
'
ss o r n .
4
H e has d e e p e r str ains at his c o m m an d Lin e s simpl e .
e n o u gh t he d o o m o f u n ive rs al hum anity he has c o mbin e d

, ,
in t o a gri s l y p o rtr ait o f t he King o f T e rr o rs N o c o m m o n .
min o r p o e t s br ain c o u l d have c o nce ive d an d drawn it

’
.
A gr and t o uch in M ahm o u d is t he Su l t an s a cce pt anc e o f ’
gri e f as a s u bj e c t s ind e fe asibl e title t o an inst ant au di e nce

’
S rr w id Mahm d is a r ve r nd thing ;
o o ,
’
sa ou ,
‘
e e
I r c g i z it rig ht s Ki g wi th King
’ 5
e o n e s ,
a n .
B ri ll i ant r ays pie rc e thr o ugh t he s o m e wh at b e wi l d e ring

haz e o f t he c o ntr o ve rsy b e t we e n C apt ain S wo r d an d
Capt ain P e n
0 Go d l t m b re athe a d l o k p at t he sk y
e e , n o u
G d i a h ndre ds vil
oo s s u ,
e as o n e
R nd b t g th t h g ld n
ou a ou oe e o e su n .
6
As fo r Ab o u B e n Ad he m it has always be e n a d mitte d

‘
t o b e a p e ar l o f gr e at pric e
Gre e n littl e vaul te r in t he sunn y gr ass ,
Catc hing y o u r he art up at the fe e l o f Ju ne ,
S o l e v o i ce that s he ard amidst t he l azy n o o

’
n ,
Whe n e v e n t he b e e s lag at t he su mm o n ing b rass

And y o u warm l ittl e ho se ke e pe r who class
,
u ,
With tho se who thin k t he c andl e s c o me t o o so o n ,
Lo ving t he fi an d wi th y o u r tri ckso m e tune

re ,
N i c k t he gl ad sil e n t m o m e nts as th y p ass e .
Oh swe t a e tiny c o u sins that b e lo ng

n d , ,
On e t o t he fi e lds t he o the r t o t he he arth

, ,
B o th have y o u r sunshine ; b o th tho u gh small ar e stro n g , ,
At y o u r cl e ar he art s a d b o th se e m g iv e n t o e arth
n
T o ring in tho u g htf l ars this natu ral s o ng

u e
Ind o o rs a d o t su mme r an d winte r Mirth

n u , , .
9
Wh e n Le igh Hun t p l e as e s he is as s aucy as Vi ll o n w ith o u t ,
it e ve r p l e asing him t o r ais e a b l ush B u t w h ate ve r t he .
o t he r attr ac t i o ns o f his Mus e gr ac e r e m ains t he pe cu l i ar

,
an d d is t inguishing pr o p e rt y .
In hi s c ar e e r an d fo r his p o sthum o u s fa m e i t w as an d
, ,
is a d o u b l e e dge d e n do w m e nt I supp o s e t hat it w as

-
.
c o nn e cte d in hi m as a p o e t wi th an e xc e p t i o n al c ap aci t y
fo r abs o rbing hi s e ntir e pe rs o n al be ing int o c e rt ain qu a l iti e s
o f his s u bj e ct His n ature w as ab l e t o i de ntify its e l f
.
with w h at e ve r w as artis t ic ally d ainty an d e m o ti o n all y

b e au tifu l He nc e hi s e l e g anc e as a write r an d pr o b ab l y
.
,
a l s o hi s we akn e ss b o th a s w rit e r an d a s m an N o writ e r .
w as e ve r l e ss s e l f c e ntr e d H e w as f as hi o ne d t o fl u tt e r
-
.
ab o ut fl o w e rs o f f ancy an d a r t ; s u ck ing r ar e l y in t he ,
d e p t hs the ir h o ne y ; succ e ssfu l in disc o ve ring n o t in

, ,
st o ring it It is n o t str ange th at in his e ar l y d ays

.
h ard m e asur e sh o u ld h ave b e e n de al t o u t t o such a

n atur e . At his d awn p artis anshi p fl aye d hi m with t he
bitt e r t o ngu e o f Chr is t o phe r N o rth as we ll as p ro vi ding ,
him m o r e m ate ri ally w ith a l o dging in H o rs e m o nge r L an e

, ,
JAM ES HE N RY LEIGH HUN T 91
j ai l Eve n at hi s suns e t hi s o wn f a mi l i ar frie nd un

.
,
inte nti o n ally w e m ay b e sur e w as t he c au s e o f t he faste ning

, ,
upo n him o f an o di o u s ch ar acte r in fic t i o n A d e l igh t fu l .
write r b o th in pr o s e an d ve rs e he n e ve r w as visite d by ,
a g l e a m o f pr o sp e rity T he p u b l ic c ar e d l itt l e fo r o n e w ho
.
had n o m e ss age o f his o wn t o d e l ive r n o t e ve n an agr e e ab l e ,
r anc o ur t o wr e ak H ad he l i ke t he pr o ve rbi al wo rm be e n
.
, ,
give n t o turning he migh t at l e ast have e xcite d inte r e s t

, ,
if n o t c o mp assi o n As it w as he simp l y we nt o n wi t h hi s
.
,
singing n o t a d miringl y r e m arke d in l ife an d sc arce l y at

, ,
all sinc e .
H e w as an d is I d a r e s ay o n e o f t he p o e ts t he w o r l d
, ,
c an d o with o u t t ho u g h I thin k i t a pity it sho ul d In

,
.
an
y c as e i t m ay b e h o p e d an d b e l i e ve d t h at t o him singing ,
as a b ird sings be c au s e it m u st so pl e as u re c am e fr o m
, ,
hi s s o ng as it c o m e s t o a bird be c au s e t o t he singe r o f
, ,
a s we e t s o ng p l e asur e mus t .
T heP tic l W rk f L igh H t E M x 1 844 (St ri i

oe a o s o e un . . o on , . o es n Ve r
se
by L igh H t G R tl d g C
e un . . ou e e o .
,
1
P l d Fr c c (St ri i V r )
au o an an es a o es n e se .
1
H r d L d r C t i (T h P tic l W rk ) pp 1 —3 5
e o an e an e , an o e oe a o s , . .
6
Cho r f t h Fl w r
us o e o e s
T t h I f t P ri c
o R y l
e n an n e ss o a
6
M ahm o u d
6
C ptai Sw rd d C pt i P
a n o an a a n en
7
Ab B Adh m d t h A g l
ou en e an e n e
A A g l i th H
n n e n e o u se
6
T t h Gro h pp r d t h C i ck t
e ass o e an e r e
G E O R G E G O RD O N , L O R D B YR O N
1 7 8 8— 1 82 4
W H AT o f t hi s t o rre nt o f ve rs e myr rh an d gall p o ure d

, ,
fo rth in s o m e fif te e n ye ars— is it a l ivi ng str e am o r ,
unfi lte r e d sur f ac e w ate r ? Is it t he c ur sing e pit aph o n

-
Tim o n s to mb by t he wi ld se a w ave s o r t he s ho we r o f go ld
’
-
,
a cc o mp anying i mp re c ati o ns o n hi s age an d fe ll o w m e n ,
a s t he mis ant hr o p e st an d s a p r o phe t o f e vi l at t he m o uth

, ,
o f hi s f o r l o rn c a ve
If a vo ice f ro m t he grave i t is at an y r ate a m ighty

,
vo ice as o f a Tit an buri e d al ive un de r Etn a Such m o de r n

,
.
c riticism as is pr o n e t o d e ny pr e s e nt a ctive e xi ste nce t o

B yro n will n o t d ispute th at he l ive d o nce an d i ssue d ro ya l
, ,
pr o c l a m ati o ns H e st o o d fo r f o rc e m o ve m e nt pe rturb a
.
, ,
ti o n
. W o rds wo rth Co l e ridge She ll e y an d Ke ats we re
, , ,
m o r e r a dic al r e vo lu ti o n is t s in p o e try B yro n n e ve r c e as e d

.
t o pr o fe ss hims e l f a discip l e o f D r yd e n an d Po p e B ut t he .
m o st fe rve nt ad mir e rs o f t he fir st f o ur wo ul d n o t pr e te n d
t o c o mp are t he c o nt e mp o r ar y inn o v ating in flu e nc e o f t he
wh o l e o f the m in l ite rature wi th B yro n s H e d id as much ’
.
to war d s e xt e nding t he s way o f Eng l an d as t he vi ct o ri e s o f

N e l s o n an d W e ll ingt o n o r t he d e sp o tic wi ll o f P itt
,
T he .
pe rs o n al ity in its we akn e ss e s as in its stre ngth fascin ate d

, , .
H is pi l grim age o f p assi o n an d re m o rs e m arke d its c o urs e

a s with r e d ho t l a v a o n t he h e ar t o f E ur o pe
-
.
N o w w he n t he r u sh o f m o l t e n m atte r has c o o l ed an d
,
sti ffe ne d it is e asy t o an alys e its ab e rr ati o ns an d impuritie s

, .
Its e xtr avag ance s ar e m o nstr o us W hate ve r t he c ri m e s o f

.
GEORGE GORDON LORD B YRO N , 93
C ast le re agh ag ainst fre e d o m t he c ause o f l ibe r t y is po ll u te d

,
by sne e rs at t he tin ke ring s l ave m ake r by ins ul ts t o

‘
-
hi s c o rps e
H has t hi s thro at at l as t H W ho 2
‘
e cu e
T he ma w ho c u t hi c o un t ry s l o ng ag
’
n s o .
So with t he scr e am at t he Po e t Laur e ate-

,
as
shuffling S th y th t i carnatou e , a n e lie
an d at W o rds wo rth s princip al wo rk as

’
A dr wsy f r wzy p o m all d t h E xc r i n

o o e , c
’
e u s o
Wri t in a m a ne r whi ch is my av rsio n

n e .
T he e go tis m p asse s all b o un ds T he qu al i t y is a fo ibl e d e ar .
t t e p e tic te p e r m e nt
o h o m a — t o t he hi ghe s t an d t he l o we st ,
t o an y but S hake spe are s as a d r am atis t — an d he t ake s his

’
re ve nge in t he S o nn e ts T he te mpt ati o n t o ind ulge nce in i t

.
is s o e age r th at acc o r di ng t o a subt le p o e t critic in t he

, ,
-
e ar l y n i n e te e nth c e ntur y s e nsi tive b ard s c o nsci o us an d

, , ,
ash a m e d ,
o f its p o we r o ve r the m have c ho se n the me s ,
al i e n t o the ir t as te t o b e ab l e u n de r c o ve r o f the m to , ,
s tray as if by accid e nt int o sc e n e s e n s hrinin g the mse l ve s

, , .
That w as n o t Byro n s w ay H e m ake s n o d isguis e o f hi s

’
.
i nte nti o n ne ve r t o b e o ff t he st age T he r e sul t is t hat his .
f avo urite m o o ds cynicis m in D o n Ju an s ati e t y in Chi lde

, ,
H ar o l d have an air o f che apne ss Sce ptic al re ade rs e xp e

, .
r ie n ce a g e n e r a l i m p re ssi o n o f in s in c e ri ty The y suspe c t .
a w ant o f sp o nt an e ity e ve r yw he r e in t he p atho s as in , ,
t he di sgus t . T he te xture the y se e o f t e n is thre a db ar e as ,
i t c o ul d n o t but b e with a he art d r ie d u p by se n su al l ic e nce

, ,
,
an d o b l ig e d t o t r ust fre que n t l y t o t he b r ain t o d o t he c re ative
wo r k o f b o th .
He re be lle d ag ain s t law an d o rd e r be c a us e he had n o t
se t the m in m o ti o n n ot as hi s c o mp an i o n She ll e y fro m ,

,
a ge ne r o u s r ag e ag ain s t a n arro w min de d de sp o tism N o -
.
b o dy n o w b e l ie ve s ih t he ge nuine ne ss o f hi s indi gn ati o n

a g ainst t yr anny A L o r d w ith t he s e lf in d u l g e nc e o f t he
.
,
-
Pr ince R e ge nt p re aching S o ci alis m is a ri di c u l o us figur e

,
t o t he pre s e nt g e n e r at i o n T he ad mi r a t i o n he g ain e d fo r
.
his e rro rs has its e l f rui ne d his p o sthum o us r e n o wn H e is .
p u nishe d by t he t aunts o f t he n e w age fo r h aving hypn o t ize d

i t s p re de ce ss o r int o a d o ring his fo ll i e s With all t he mimicry .
,
all t he fl att e ry all t he absur dity it i s t he m o r e w o nd e rfu l

, ,
t h at a re al p o e t a s e e r o f visi o ns sho ul d r e m ain re c o gniz ab le

, ,
be ne ath W e m ay p ass by m u ch th at he wro te A m aj o rity

. .
o f t he o cc asi o n al pi e c e s wo u l d pr o b ab l y ha ve b e e n sm o the re d
by hi ms e l f had he fo r e se e n t he c e l e brity o f Chil d e H aro ld ‘
an d D o n Ju an S atire th o u gh vig o r o u s an d sc athi ng as in

.
,
Eng l ish B ards an d Sc o tch R e vi e we rs T he Visi o n o f J a dge ,
m e n t an d T he Cu r se o f Min e r va n atur all y is sho rt l ive d

, ,
-
.
T he Pl ays ar e t o o p o e tic a l fo r d r a m a s t o o d r a m atic fo r ,
p o e ms As t he e y e g l ance s o ve r t he t it le s o f m any o f t he
.
pu b l ishe d w o rk s sc arce l y e ve n an e m o t i o n o f curi o sity stirs

, .
Othe rs t he re ar e o n whi c h w e p aus e fo r a m o m e nt an d ,
with d e l ight w he ne ve r accid e nt re c all s t he m W e c ann o t

, .
he l p r e c o gni zing p o we r fo r inst anc e in T he D e structi o n

, ,
o f S e nn ach e rib
Lik t h l av s f t h f r s t wh n S mm r i s g r n
e e e e o e o e e u e ee ,
Th t h st wi th th ir b a n rs at s n t w r s e n
a o e n e u se e e e
Lik t h l v s f t h fo r st wh n A t mn hath bl o w
e e ea e o e e e u u n ,
Th t ho st o t h m rro w l y wi t h d a d str wn
a n e o a er
’
n o
1
an d in t he c o ntr a st in t he Od e t o N ap o l e o n be t we e n hi s
, ,
s u b missive ab di c ati o n an d S ul l a s ’
T h R o m n whe n hi s b u rn ing he ar t
e a ,
W a sl ak d with b l o o d f R m
s e o o e,
Thr w d wn t h dagg r— d are d d part

e o e e e ,
I sav ag e g rand
n r h me eu , o
GEORGE GORDO N LORD BYRO N , 95
He dare d d p rt i tt r s c rn e a n u e o
Of m n t h t s c h a y o k had b rn
e a u e o e,
Y t l ft hi m s c h a d m
e e u oo
H is o nly g l o ry w a t h t ho ur s a
Of s e lf p h ld b a d o d p o w r 2
’
-u e a n n e .
A mist o f bl o o d an d t e ars mitig ate s t he he c t ic

T he D re a m 3
T he re is music fo r u s s t i ll in
.
S he a w lks b ty l ike t h nig ht

in e au , e
l dl s c lim s a d starry ski s

Of c o u e s e n e
An d all t hat b t f d ark a d b rig ht ’

s es o n
M ti h
ee p ct a d h y s
n er as e n er e e
4
an d
fl
Oh c u ld I f e e l a I hav f e l t — o b e what I hav e b e e n
o s e , r ,
Or wee p a I c o ld o nc e hav we pt o e m any a an i sh d s ce ne

’ ’
s u e r v
As s p ring i n d e s e r ts f nd s e e m swe e t all b r ac kis h t ho u g h the y b

s ou ,
e
So, mid t t he wit he r d w aste o f lif t ho se t e ars wo ld o w t me

s
’
e, u o .
W e d m ire w e d o n o t sp o n t ane o u s l y r e o pe n t he vo l u m e
a .
It is t he s a m e with c o mp o si t i o ns o f anci e n t re n o wn l i ke ,
T he Gi ao u r T he B rid e o f Abyd o s T he C o rs air L ar a T he

, , , ,
Pris o ne r o f Chi llo n Pa risin a T he Si e ge o f Co rin t h Ec ho e s

, ,
.
ris e an d insist o n rising fr o m t he m T he g l o wing w e s t

, , .
c o n t inu ally r e minds ho w ,
S l w si ks m o r l v ly hi r c b
o n e o e ere s a e e r un ,
Al g M r s hills t h s tting
on o ea;
’
,
e e su n
N t in N r th rn c lim s o b s c r l y b rig ht
o , as o e e , u e ,
B t u nc l de d b laz f li ving li ght

one u ou e o
O ld A gin s r c k d Id il ’ ’
n o e a o an ra s s e,
T h g d f gl d e s she d hi p rti g mil

o . o a n es s s a n s e
O w r g io n ling ri g l v s t s hin
’
hi er s o n e s e n , o e o e,
Th g h th re hi s lt rs a
ou m r di vin
e a a re no o e e .
D c nding f as t t h m ntain shad o ws ki s

es e e ou s
T hy g l o ri o s g l f q d S l mis
u u , un co n ue r
’
a a
Th ir az r r ch t hro g h t h lo ng xp
e u e a es u e e an se
Mo r d e p ly p rp l d m e t hi s m llo wi g g l nc
e e u e e e n a e,
And te nd r s t tints al ng th ir s mmi ts driv n
e e , o e u e ,
Mark hi g y c rs a d w t h h s o f h v n
s a ou e, n o n e ue ea e
Ti ll darkly shad d f r m t h l nd a d d p
, e o e a n ee ,
B hi nd hi D lp hi n c li ff h sin ks t sl e p
e s e a e o e .
6
A n e w age has fo rg o tte n n o t m e re ly t he Gi ao ur but , ,
fl
t he P hi l he ll e nic fir e its au t ho r p l aye d a f o re m o st p art in
kin dl ing it c ann o t have f o rg o t t e n :
H who hat h b e nt him t h d ad
’
e o er e e
E re t h fi rs t d y o f d t h i
e d a ea s e ,
T he firs t d rk d ay o f no t hin gn s a es ,
T he l as t f d ang r a d di s t re ss o e n
B fo re D e c y s ff a ing fing rs
e a
’
e c e
H v e sw pt t h lin s wh re be ty ling rs
a e e e e au e
And ma k d t h m ild ang li c ai

r
’
e e r,
T h rapt ur f r p s t hat th r ’
e e o e o e s e e,
T h fix d y t te nde r t r i ts t hat s t r ak
’
e e a e
T h l angu o r f t h p l ac id c he k
e o e e ,
An d — b t f that ad shr o d e d y
u or s u e e,
That fir s t wins o t w p s t w e no ,
n , ee no , no ,
An d b t f that c hill c h ng l s b ro w
u or , a e es ,
Whe r c o ld Obst r ctio n s p athy

e u
’
a
App al t h g az ing m ur r s h art

s e o ne
’
e ,
As if t o hi m it c o ld im p r t u a
T h d o o m h dre ads y t dw lls p o n ;

e e e e u
Y e s, b t fo the se a d the s
u ln r n e a o e,
S m m m nts y
o e ot r ac h r s h r
e ,
a , one e e ou ou ,
H still mig ht d bt t h ty ant s p o we r ;

’
e ou e r
S f ir o c alm o s o ft ly s c l d
’
o a , s ,
s a ,
T he fi r t l s t l k by d t h e al d
’
s ,
a oo ea rev
S c h i t h p ct f this sho r
u s e as e o e
T i s Gr c b t l iving G r c o m r
’
ee e, u ee e n o e
S c o l dl y sw t
o d adly f air ee , so e ,
W st rt f s o l i w nting th r
e a , or u s a e e .
7
T ho u gh fe w re ad t he o nce f ascin ating T al e it intr o duc e s ,
f e we r fo rge t t he pr e l ud e t o o n e o f its c ant o s

T h wi d a hi g h o H ll s wav
’
e n s re n e e e ,
As that night o f st rm y w at r
on o e ,
No t a tr ave lle r cr o ss e s t he Ri al t o witho ut t he m e l o d y
at his he a rt
I V ni c Ta o s cho e s a m o re ’
n e e ss e re n o ,
And sil nt r ws t he s ngl ss g o nd li r

e o o e o e
H p l c s a e c r m b ling t t h sh r
er a a e r u o e o e,
And m si c m e e ts t alw ys w t h
u no a no e e ar
T ho se d ays a g n — b t B ty still i h r re o e u e au s e e .
St t f ll rts f d — b t N at r d th t d i
a es a , a a e u u e o no e,
N y t
or f r g t h w
e V ni c e n co w a ed e ar o e o e s ,
T h p l s nt p l ac
e f ll f t ivi ty
ea a e o a es ,
Th r v l o f th
e art h t h m as q e
e e f I t aly ! e e , e u o
10
N o str ang e r p ac e s t he T u sc an W e stminste r Abbe y wi tho ut

r e p e ating t he re p ro ach fo r t he abs e nc e o f t he ashe s as if ,
t he t w o spir its we re h o ve ring by t o he ar

Ungr t f l F lo re nc
a e u D ante sle e ps f ar e a ,
Lik Scipi b ri d by t h pb r iding sh r

e o, u e e u a o e
T hy f acti o ns i t h ir w rs t han c i vil w , n e o e ar ,
Pro s crib e d t he b r d who nam f v rm o re a se e or e e
T h ir c hildr n s c hildr n w ld i v in d r
fl
’
e e e ou n a a o e
Wi th t h r m rs o f ge s a d t h c ro wn
e e o e a n e
W hi ch P trarch s l a ate b ro w s pr m e ly w o r
e
’
ur e u e e,
Up n a fa a d f r ign s o il h d g r w
o r n o e a o n ,
H i li f his fame hi g r av e t ho g h i d —
s e, t t hine o wn
,
s ,
u r e no .
And S nt Cr c w nts th ir mighty d st

a a o e a e u
Y et f this w nt m o r n t d
or fy r a e o e , as o o e
T h C a s ar s p ag ant sho rn f Br t s b s t
’ ’
e e e o u u u ,
D id b u t f R o m s be s t S re mind h m r ’
o e on er o e.
Be si d e ye ll o w Tibe r fl o wing t hr o ugh a m arb l e wi l d e rn e ss

, ,
lo n e m o the r o f d e a d e mpir e s t he N i o b e o f n ati o ns th o ugh , ,
n o l o ng e r a s fo r B yr o n
, ,
C hildle ss a d c r wnl ss in he r v i c l ss won o e o e e e,
his v o ice re m ains au d ib l e an d e l o qu e nt T he .
s anct ary d h m u an o e
Of a t a d p i ty— P anth o n— p rid o f R o m

r n e e e e,
is hi s m o nu m e nt as much a s R affae lle s an d Vict o r E m ’
m anu e l s I h ave n e ve r vis ite d t he F o r u m tr ansfo rm e d

’
.
,
GEORGE GORDO N LORD B YRO N , 99
as i t n o w is fr o m i t s aspe ct to hi m wi t ho u t vi e w ing it ,
first thro ugh his e ye s with its the n singl e m anife st br e ak ,
in t he all c o nc e ali ng l e ve l
-
T lly w a t
u l o q nt t hs no so e ue as o u,
T ho nam l ss c l mn wit h t h b i d b
u e e o u e ur e as e
14
In simpl e fe al ty sti ll t o Chi lde Har o ld o n my first j uv e ni le ,
visi t I li k e m any an o the r t o u rist b e gan by hu nting o u t

, , , ,
n o t w ith o u t d iffi c u lt y t he ap o cryph al an d n o w dis c a rd e d

, ,
st at u e o f Po mp e y
And tho dre ad s tat e y t xis te nt i
u, u e e n
T he aus te r s t f o rm f nak e d m aj s ty
e o e ,
Th w h b h ld t mid t he ass ssi s d i

ou o e e es ,
’
a n
’
n,
A t t hy b the d b ase t h b l d y C ar li
a e oo ae s e,
F lding his ro b i dy in g di gni ty

o e n ,
An o ff rin g t o thine alt r f ro m t h q n

e a e ue e
Of g ds d m
o g r at N m si did he d i
an en, e e e s e,
An d t ho to p rish P mp y T hav e y b n
u, o , e , o e e ee
Vi cto rs f c ntless kings p u pp ts o f a s c n

o ou , or e e e
‘5
Ar ch ae o l o gy may ridic ul e e nthu si asm o v e r t he wr o ng r e lics .
It will n e v e r lay b ar e o n t he Appi an W ay au ght t o inte r e st

as at its e ntr anc e
,
a s te r r nd to w r f th r d ays n ou e o o e ,
F ira f rtre ss wi th it f nc e o f t n
as a o , s e s o e,
S c h a a army s b affl d t r ngth d l y

u s n
’
e s e e a s,
Stan di n g with half its b attl m nts al e e one,
And wi t h t w th s and y ar s f i y g r wno ou e o v o
T h g arland f te rni ty w h r wav

e o e , e e e
T h g r n l av s o ve r ll by tim o
’
e ee e th w
e a e er ro n
W hat wa this to w r o f s t ngth Wi thin it c ve

s e re s a
Wh t t as r lay lo k d
a re hid — A w m n g rav
u e so c
’
, so o a
’
s e.
1 6
It is e ntr anc e m e nt— ro m anc e histo r y mirac l e s o f ar t , ,
an d n a t u r e l e tt e r s hate an d l o ve — t he w ho le an e ve r
, ,
c hangin g e ve r l o ve l y di o r a m a c o nt rive d as a fr ame wo r k

,
-
,
G 2
1 00 FIVE CE N TURIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
fo r m an s o n e m an s e m o ti o ns an d a mbiti o n s ! In thi s
’
,
’
gl o rifi e d g u id e b o o k w he th e r it l e ad u s a mi d st t e mpe sts

-
, ,
in w hi ch
v ry m ntain o w hath f o nd a t ng e
e e ou n u o u ,
An d J n w rs thr g h h mi sty shr d

ur a a s e ,
ou er ou ,
B c k t t h j yo s Al ps w ho c all t o h al d l
a o e o u , er ou 17
al o ng str e a ms dye d by d ay an d n i ght c o nt e nding , ,
T he d o r o s p rp l f o w b rn r o s u u e o a ne -
o e
18
t hr o u gh wr e ck s o f r e al ms str e wing d r e ad an d l o n e l y o c e an s ’
sho r e s p ast p e ak s o f A l ps thr o ning e t e rnity by arro wy ,
sto ri e d rive rs b e sid e b attl e fie ld s inf a m o u s fo r m arti al c u t

,
thr o ats o r f a m e d fo r st ainl e ss vict o ri e s l i k e Mo rat an d ,
Mo rgar t e n by ho m e s o f
Th e l f t rt ring s p his t wild R u
e s - o
e au ; u o , o ss
o f V o l t air e
Hist ri n b rd p hil s p he r c o m bin d

o a , a , o o ,
e ,
W h m l ti p li d hims l f m ng m n kind
o u e e a o a
T he Pr t us f t h ir t al nt s ; o e o e e
20
o f Gibb o n
S pping a s l mn c r d with s l mn sne e r
a o e ee o e ,
T h l rd o f ir ny e o o
21
an d of
t rry G alile o with his w o e s ;
T he s a ,
o r t o mbs a s o f L au r a s l o v e r in rustic Arqu a

’
,
W he r r w t re ad t i hau nte d ho ly g ro und

e e
’
e
’
s ,
Again D o n Ju an F ade d t awd ry o fte n as D e Q u inc e y

, , ,
j u stl y c all s allu si o ns t o S o u th e y s an d Co l e ridge s m arri age s ’ ’

,
igno b l e 2 Al as ! y e s And t he cr u e l waste ! Right e o u s .
a ng e r , gri e f g e n e r o sity m agn ani mi ty t ho u ght sh o t o u t

, , .
, ,
u p o n a d u sth e ap Wh ate ve r in Chi ld e H ar o l d w as p al try ,
a bs u rd u nb e c o ming
, c o nte mptib l e in c o nte mptu o u sn e ss
, ,
is he r e e xp and e d an d e x agge r ate d T he w h o l e is fl av o u r e d .
t o n au s e a wit h t he t o psy t u rvy t he o ry o f m o r al s — t he -
r e d e e m abi l i t y o f m al pr actic e s by r e m o rs e o r by t he insul t ,

E ach sc e n e is e n o ugh t o h av e f o u n de d a r e put ati o n ;
an d wi th all the ir tr ansc e nd e nt gr an de u r t he t w o d o n o t
, ,
stan d al o n e A ll t he sixte e n Canto s ar e stu dde d wi th wit

.
,
an d e v e n wisd o m Oft e n it is h ard t o say w h e the r it b e

.
o n e o r t he o t he r o r b o th What o f t he bitte r aft e r t aste

,
.
-
o f vic e 2
Th r i n o st e rne r m o ralist than Pl e a r

e e s su e
25
Wh at o f t he s u ici d e s m o tive ’
L f r m disg st f lif than dr ad f d e ath

e ss o u o e e o .
26
W hat o f t he gr e at l in e at o nc e anthe m t o g e ni u s an d d irge

, ,
o v e r a n ati o n
C e rvante s smil e d Sp ain s chi valry away ’

.
Wh at fin all y o f
, ,
G r at S o c rate s — And tho D ivin r still

e u, e ,
Wh s l t it i by ma t o b mistak n
o e o s n e e ,
And t hy p re c r d m ad e sancti o n o f ll ill

u ee a
R d m ing w o rlds t b by b ig o ts shak n

e ee o e e ,
How w t hy t o il r e ward d
as e 28
The n , t o o , it h arb o u rs t he n o b l e l yr ic
T he Isl e s f G re e c e t h I le s o f Gr e c
o , e s e e
Wh re b rning S appho l v d a d s g
e u o e n un ,
Wh re g re w t h ar ts o f wa a d p e ac
e e r n e,
Whe r D l o s r o se a d Ph b s sp r ng
e e , n oe u u
E t ernal s mme r gilds th m y t

u e e ,
B t all e xc pt th ir
u , i e t e su n , s se .
T he m ntains l o k o Maratho n
ou o n
And Marath n l ks o t h e ; o oo n e s a
And m u sing th r a ho r l o ne e e n u a ,
I d am d that G r c mi g ht s till f re e
’
re ee e be
F o st andi ng
r t h P rsi ans g r av on e e
’
e,
I c ld t d e m m ys lf a sl av
ou no e e e
29
gl e a ms of t e n d e rn e ss ! P o e try o ffe rs fe w m o re
GEORGE GORDO N LORD B YRO N , 1 03
de lightf u l p o rtr aits a m o ng its myr iad o f girl ho o d than that

o f t he d au ght e r o f
t he mild s t man n e r d ma
’
e n
That e v e r scu ttled shi p o c u t a thro at , r
i nn o c e ntl y gu i l ty Haid ee
R o und he she mad e an atm o sphe re o f l if
r e.
T he v e ry air se e m d lig ht e r f ro m he ye s
’
r e ,
T he y we re so so ft a d b e au t iful an d rife
n ,
With all we c i magine o f t he ski s

an e ,
And p re as Psyche e r e she g re w a wife

u
T o o p re e v e n fo r t h pu re s t hu man t ie s
u e
H e r o v r p o w ri g p re se nc e m ad e y u f e l
e e n o e
I t wo u ld n o t b e id o l at ry t o knee l .
3° !
T he ch ant o f t he Av e M ari a ! sig hs ab o u t t he fig u r e s o f

t he b o y an d gir l l o v e rs as if t o c o nd o ne t he i rre gu l arity
,
in t he ir wo o ing whi l e
,
n o t a b re at h c re pt t hro u g h t he r o sy air ,
And y e t t he f o re st le ave s se e m d st i d wi th p raye r

-
’
rr
’
.
Patho s is a sc arc e qu ality in D o n Ju an It is t o b e .
p riz e d in pr o p o rti o n w he re it is p e rc e ptib l e as in t he ,
invo c ati o n o f t he Eve ni ng Star

Whate e r o u r ho use ho ld g o ds p ro te ct o f d e ar
’
,
Ar e gat he d ro u nd us by t hy l o o k o f re s t
’
r
Tho u b rin g st t he child t o o to the mo the r s b re ast

’
, ,
’
32
an d ag ain in a c l assic al all u si o n
W he n N ro p i h d by t he j u s te st d o o m
’
e er s ,
Amid st t he ro ar o f li b e rate d R o me ,
S o me hands un se e n st w flo we rs u po n his to m b
r e d
’
"8
.
Is it p atho s o r m e re l y an e pi gram
,
And if I lau gh at a y mo rtal thin gn ,
Ti s that I m ay n o t we e p ! 34
’
In t he pr e s e nt d ay it is e asy t o d e c ry B yr o n s r e fl e c ti o ns ’
,
his s e ntim e nt as s u p e rfici al s c o nd hand W e r e the y
,
an d e -
.
o f t he pr e s e nt d at e t he y mig ht b e Wh e n he wro te he .
w as a d isc o v e r e r a l e a d e r a t e ach e r T he fi r e w hi c h he
, ,
.
k ind l e d had in fla m e d hi ms e l f first His ch ar acte r o r wh at .

,
he c ho s e sh o u l d b e a cc e pt e d as it m ay b e r e a d in e v e ry ,
v e rs e he print e d Eve ry t al e o f his e ve ry sc e n e e ve ry.

, ,
t o ught br e at h e s an d has l if e br e ath o f hi s lif e — in it

h ,
—
, .
T he r e is a spl e nd o u r a gai e ty His e go tism m ay b e ridi ,

.
c u lo u s ; he is n o t With all t he p e rv e rsity v anity p r e .

, ,
t e nc e a f e e l ing e ve n o f o p e n air o f fr an k dir e c t ne ss mingl e s

, , ,
.
S ha d e s o f a mighty c o mp any o f r e al m o urne rs w ho atte nd e d ,
ye ar l y d ai l y, ,
T he p ag ant f hi b l ding h art e o s ee e ,
sti ll br o o d o v e r his m e m o ry H u m an n at u r e l o v e s t o .
re c o gniz e a m ast e r ; an d it r e c o gniz e d hi m Still afte r .

,
thr e e qu art e rs o f a c e nt u ry he c o ntin u e s t o r e ign if , ,
w ithi n n arr o we d fr o nti e rs a king by right di vi n e , .
T h P tic l W rk
e oe f L r d Byr
a (Oxf rd E d iti ) H ry F w d
o s o o on o on . en ro e
Lo n d o n , 1 9 04 .
1
T he D tr cti f S
es u ch ri b (H br w M l d i ) t 2
on o en n a e e e e o es , s . .
2
Od t N p l
e B
o p rt (Occ i l P i c e ) t 7
a o eon uon a a e as o n a e s , s . .
3
T h Dr m J ly 1 81 6
e ea , u ,
Sh W lk i B
e ty (H b r w M l d i s) t 1
a s n e au e e e o e ,
s . .
5
St z f M ic M rch 1 81 5 (Occ i al Pi c ) t 5
an as or us , a , as o n e es , s . .
6
T h C r ir C t o iii t 1
e o sa , an , s . .
7
T h Gi e r T h Brid
ao u . f A by d C t st 1
3
e e o o s, an o 1 1, . .
9
Child H r ld Pilgrim g C t i t 3 8
e a o
’
s a e, an o , s . .
1 °
I bi d C a t i v t 3
.
, n o , s . .
11
I b id C t i. t za 5 7 a d 5 9
, an o v , s an s n .
12
I b id C t i st 7 9 an o I b id C t i
v, t 1 46 . .
13
.
, an o v, s . .
14
I b id C t i. t 1 10
, an o I b id C t i
v, s t 87 . . .
, an o v, s .
16
I b id C t i . t 99
, an o v, s . .
17
Child H r ld Pilgrim g C t ii i t 9 2
e a o
’
s a e, an o , s . .
19
I b id C t i. t 28
, an o I bi d C t i ii t 7 7
v , s . .
19
.
, an o , s . .
2°
I b id C t i ii t 1 06
.
, an o I b id C t iii s t 1 07
,
s . . .
, an o , . .
22
I hid C t i t 54
, an o v, s . .
P ERC Y B YS S H E S H E LL E Y
1 7 92— 1 82 2
TH E first an d fo re m o st i mpr e ssi o n o f She lle y is o f a spirit

o f un r e s t — th o u gh s o m e thing b si de s re stl e ssn ss br o o ding
e e —
—no ,
ho ve ring s wo o ping— o v e r e ve r fr e sh p l ans fo r e ve r
,
fr e s h Cre ati o ns w hich it is t o e ngine e r W e ar e c o nsci o u s o f

,
.
a c o ntinu al s e ar ch by him fo r n e w e l e m e nts w h e nc e t o
c o nstruct n e w He ave ns an d a n e w e arth It is t he Fre nch .
R e vo l uti o n e xh auste d crushe d by m ain fo rc e fo r t he

, ,
m o m e nt be l o w t he s ur f ac e p anting pr o t e sting fe rm e nting

, , , ,
in a h aughty Engl ish arist o c ratic n ature Visib l y an d

,
.
a udib l y it is r e be ll i o us an d sc o rnfu l It has id e aliz e d

.
p assi o n e r e cting it int o a di vin e law Hithe r an d thithe r

, .
i t rushe s raising an alt ar w he re ve r f ancy has al ighte d fo r

,
t he inst an t .N e ve r wi th o ut an i do l it tr a mp l e s o n w h at
,
e ve r is n o l o ng e r fo r it a d o r ab l e A ll must ac kn o wl e dge
.
t he f ascin ati o n o f e ach fr e sh c o nc e pti o n if o n l y it we r e ,
pe rmitte d t o st ay l o ng e n o u gh fo r a d ay d re a m t o r e p o s e -
in it The re is a l o nging t o inf o rm with a b o d y e ach

.
e xh al at io n a s it ris e s t o c o nd e ns e t he r ainb o w hu e d -
v ap o u r A l as t he p age ant o f f airy c ast le s whi ch diss o l ve

.
int o air as w e wind t he ho rn at the ir g ate s at l e ngth

di s app o ints an d tire s . W e be gin t o d o u bt w he the r t he y b e
m o r e th an g o ss am e rs o f an inte lle ct unce rt ain o f itse l f .
She ll e y w as a b o rn p o e t W ho m n atur e in a fre ak b e nt

, ,
a n d w arp e d p e rh aps al s o e nrich e d

, ,
by t he ci rc u mstanc e s
,
o f his tim e p are nt age an d d o mici l e Be ing w h at thus he

, , .
w as he c o u l d n o t h ave be e n o the r th an a p o e t pr o fe ss e d
, ,
PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY 1 07
an d n o t hing e l se H e w as e nd o we d wit h f ac u lt ie s in
.
ab u nd anc e b e sid e s p o e tic i m a gin ati o n His pr o s e is d e .
l ightfu l H e might h ave w o n fa m e as a n o ve l ist a m e t a

.
,
physici an a re l igi o us te ache r a p o l i t ici an As it w as

, , .
,
fr o m b o yh o o d he cho se o r as d o u b tle ss he tho ught w as , , ,
f o rc e d into a s o ci al is o l at i o n w hich d e nie d t o his gre at

,
inte ll ige nc e an y o t he r fixe d fo r m o f e xpre ssi o n th an po e t ry .
Made fo r fri e nds hi p t o a d mire an d b e ad mire d t o b e, , ,
a d iscip l e an d h av e discip l e s he did n o t t ake e x c o m m u n i

, ,
c ati o n kind ly H e thr e w t he b l a m e up o n e xi sting in st it u

.
t i o ns a fe u d al aristo cr acy re l igi o n d e ge ne r at e d in t o

, ,
f o rm al ism an d pri e stcr af t s t ate sm e n Co urts an d Kin gs , , , ,
He ave n i t se l f R e f u s e d an aud ie nce o the r wise he utte re d

.
,
hi s r age an d c o nt e mpt in ve rs e T he n arr o w cir c l e he .
j o ine d in d e f au lt o f a l arge r w as d e b arre d by its o wn

is o l atio n fr o m unpre judice d criticism at o nc e sym p athe tic ,
an d f r an k H e hi mse lf had t o o much t o s ay an d fe lt

.
,
t o o arde nt l y t o c are t o st o p an d m e di t at e
,
Ofte n hi s .
r an k e xube rance is o wing t o t he c has e o f a succe ssi o n o f

f u gitive f anci e s N o s o o ne r has he st arte d o n e t han a
.
se c o nd has go t u p an d se t hi s br ain c o ursing in a fre sh

,
di re cti o n .
His be s e tting f au l t as a p o e t is e xce ss De nun ci ati o n is .
pur sue d t o scurri lity D e scripti o ns o f n atur al l o ve line ss

.
l e ngthe n fn t o te di o us l ango u r Vit al pr o ble ms ar e discus se d .

,
at o nc e w i t h t o o much subtle ty an d t o o l i t tle d e p t h ,

.
Re dun d ancy d a mps t he fir e o f A l as t o r T he Re vo lt o f ,
Is l am R o s al ind an d He l e n Epipsychi di o n T he Wi t ch
, , ,
o f At l as T he Ma sq u e o f An a rc hy Jul i an an d M ad d alo
,
It ,
.
dr aws a fi l m o ve r T he Se nsitive Pl ant an d e ve n t he be au ty ,
o f Ad o n ais Indign ati o n rave s in t he gr e e nn e ss o f Q u e e n

.
M ab w i t h its
,
unc u ltur e d He b re ws e xul ting in o ld
S al e m s s ham e ful gl o ri e s an d ho wlmg hi d e o us pr ais e s
’
1 08 FIVE CE N TURIES OF EN GLISH VERSE
t o t he i r D e m o n G o d It b lunts t he e dge o f t he m o re
-
m atur e s atir e s Sw e llfo o t t he Tyr ant C astle r e agh an d t he

, , ,
r e st Whe n as fr e que nt l y t he re s e ntm e nt is right e o us

.
, ,
in its o rigin its virtue sti ll as B yr o n s is m arr e d by

, ,
’
vitupe rati o n T he fu ry o f t he fl a m e turns t he w at e r

.
int o ste a m H o we ve r m u ch t he r e is t o s ay h o we ve r
.
,
sugge stive t he te xt t o b e e xp o u nd e d t he in abi l i t y t o kn o w ,
w he n t o st o p sti fle s t he e ffe ct .
T he b l e mish e s ar e n o t s u rprising in t he circ u mst anc e s .
The re we re his s e l f b anishm e nt fr o m ho m e an d f a mi l y

-
,
s o ci al o str acism e x alte d vi e ws o f d u t y t o Hu m anity n o t

, ,
invari ab l y c arri e d int o pr actic e a fe r ve nt b e l i e f in t he ,
e xist e nc e o f a c o nspi r acy o f T o ri e s an d critics t o supp re ss
him an d a c o mbin ati o n o f inte ll e ct u al an d spiritual p e r

, ,
‘
h aps e ve n s o ci al pri de with physic al an d m o r al shyn e ss

, .
Ad d t he gifts in s u ch a m e d l e y insidi o us l y an d pe cu l i arl y

,
d ange r o us o f an i nf all ibl e s e nse o f h arm o ny in wo rds an d

, ,
a v a st min e o f f ancy T ake t he w h o l e t o ge the r an d w e

.
h ave a c l ue t o t he fl aw s o f A l ast o r an d its succe ss o rs an d ,
t o t he i r as e xtr ao rdin ary b e au ti e s al s o T he e ntir e re al m .
o f p o e try c an sh o w n o thing s o ph e n o m e n al It w as a str ange .
u nive rs e p arad o xic all y m o nstr o us as p ar a d o xic all y id e a!

, , ,
whi ch spre a d b e fo re t he p o e t s e ye s T u rn e d b ac k up o n ’
.
himse l f he had fe d u p o n an d he ld ince ss ant c o m muni o n

, ,
with his o wn i m agin ati o n H e c o u l d p aint t he m o st

, .
re al istic o f l an d sc ap e s sc e ne s w e se e with o u r e ye s shu t

a s o f t he P is an pin e f o r e st w h e r e ,
t he m l t i tu dino u s u
Bill o ws mu rmu r at o r f e e t u
And t he e arth a d o c e an m e t ; n e
1
o r o f t he E u an e an Hill s in
g ,
t he n o o n o f a t u mn s g l o w ; 2
’
u
b u t a f ancy l i ke his w as ind e p e nd e nt o f actu al o bs e r v ati o n .

In t he c o nce pti o n it is as m u ch a t o rs o as an actu al
c o nfe ss e d fragm e nt l i ke t he Hype ri o n o f Ke ats B u t it is
,
.
c o l o ss al In its w ays o f tho ught an d styl e it is m o re o ve r

.
, ,
an e x act typ e o f its auth o r s c o m m o n m ann e r T he Ce nc i

’
.
b e l o ngs t o a di ffe re nt c l ass alt o ge the r It is a tri u mp h .

,
in t he c o l dn e ss o f its ho rr o rs o ve r t he t e mp t ati o n t o its

,
cre at o r b e ing w hat he w as t o b ur st all t he b arri e rs o f tragic

, ,
ar t . T he spirit is n o t A e schy le an ; n o t Sh ak e sp e ar e an .
T he re is s o m e an al o gy t o Mar l o we o n l y with m o re de pth an d

,
fine n e ss o f th o u ght A l as fo r t he ug l ine ss o f t he the m e

.
T he phe n o m e n o n is t hat w hi l e it an d t he Pr o m e the u s

,
ar e c u ri o us l y u n l i ke b o th ar e abs o l ute l y an d e qu all y

,
r e p re s e nt at ive o f t he ir au t ho r in o n e e sse nti al re sp e c t .
Ind e p e nd e nt as m any p o e ts ar e d e te rmine d t o f o ll o w ,
t he ir o wn bi as e ve n ins o l e nt t o t he re ading wo r l d the y h ave

, ,
an e y e t o it n e ve rt he l e ss ; t he y e v i d e nt l y have we ighe d
ho w the y c an m o st c e rt ain l y re n de r t h e m s e l ve s au di bl e t o
it I t wo u l d b e diffic u l t t o m atch She ll e y in t he sing le ne ss
.
o f his re g ar d t o him s e l f a l o n e a s he w rit e s D o ubtl e ss he .
wo u l d h ave l i ke d t o b e p o pu l ar H e ne ve r e nd e avo ure d t o

.
att ain th at e n d by c o nsu lt ing pub l ic t a st e s H e has ge n e r al

.
symp athie s n o t t he sym p at hy whi ch is at p ains t o c o m

pre he n d a di ffe re n t p o int o f vi e w fr o m o ne s o wn Par ad o x ’
.
as it s e e ms ,
it is o n e o f t he e xp l an ati o ns o f t he p e c u l i a r
She ll e y c u l t N e ve r w as the r e a b o d y o f writings w hich
.
t o t he i n i ti at e d is a s u r e r ind e x o f t he au t h o r s mind w hich

’
a d mits r e ve r e nt s t u d e nts e n a m o ure d e ve n o f d e fe cts
fl
,
to ,
m o re intim at e c o m m u ni o n with it fo r t he ve ry r e as o n th at
,
i t n e ve r appe ars t o b e l o o ki ng t o o pini o n o u tsid e H ad .
S he lle y c are d fo r e xte rn al f avo ur he mi ght h ave c o rre cte d

,
d i u se n e ss in dicti o n an d o bsc ur ity in id e as he wo u ld h ave

had a l arge r p u bl ic an d fe we r w o rs hi pp e r s
,
.
T he s e r e ne u nc o nsci o usne ss t hat his r e a d e rs ha ve t he ir

P ERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY 111
l i ke s an d dis l i ke s which he might at l e as t try t o und e r

,
s t and t ho u gh witho ut d e fe rring t o the m appl ie s t o all his ,
w o r k H e t ake s acc o unt so far o f s o cie ty abo u t hi m as

.
t o l e cture it o n its sh o rtc o mi ngs H e ne ve r l e arne d t ha t .
pity te ac he s ho w t o cure T he ap artne ss is t he m o r e .
inste ad o f t he l e ss p al p abl e th at his inspir ati o n c o ns t antl y

u s e s his f e ll o w me n fo r a t e xt y e t a cc e p t s n o l ight fr o m
,
t he m Un le ss fo r ado r ati o n o f w hi ch w e ar e n o t all

.
,
c ap ab le w e c ann o t c o m e c l o s e t o hi s spiri t
,
.
Fo rtun ate l y fo r l o ve rs o f c e l e sti al m e l o d y as we ll as fo r ,
his f a m e n ature had u nite d wi t h t he m e t aphysic al mystic al

, , ,
ic o n o c l as t ic e go t ist t he s wee te st o f in stinc t ive s inge rs .
Sud d e n l y t he r e wo ul d issue a gu sh o f music abs o l u te l y ,
pu re e the r e al y e t wi t h w ar m bl o o d c o u rsing t hro ugh His

, , .
s o ngs a m o ng the m r e pre se nt all t he be au tie s p o ssibl e fo r

t he e xpre ssi o n o f re gre tfu l l o ng ing bi t t e r sw e e t t he ,
-
s harp cut ne atne ss an d e l e g anc e o f a Gre e k e pigr am ;

-
mys t e ry p at ho s upbr aidi ng s e lf u pbr ai di ng Th e r e ar e

, , ,
-
.
p assi o n at e ne ss s e l f re str aint Mo ve m e nt c o m m o n l y is

,
-
.
t he re s o m e tim e s if ve ry r are l y d ancing jo y wi t h

, , ,
c asc ad e s o f bre e zy g l o wing i m age s Unis o n o f wo rds an d

,
.
r hythm ne ve r f ails He re ar e a fe w flo we r s pl u c ke d as
.
,
the y c a m e t o my hand I h ave n o t atte mp te d t o arr ange

.
t he m T he y c o u ld n o t jar o r cl ash an y m o re t han c o l o urs

.
,
in a be d o f ro s e s .
H e has i m agine d an Indi an l o ve r s e re n adi ng hi s mistre ss

I arise f ro m dre ams o f thee
I t he fi rst swe e t sl p f nig ht
n ee o ,
Whe n t he win ds ar b r athin g lo w e e ,
An d t h s tars a e shi ing b i g ht ;

e r n r
I ari e f ro m dre ams o f th

s ee ,
And a spiri t i my fe e t n
H ath le d me —w ho kno w ho w i s
T t hy c ham b e r wind o w S we e t !
o -
,
T he wand ri g airs th y fainte n e
O t he d ark t h s il nt t r am
n ,
e e s e
A d t h Ch mp k s o d s f ail ’
n e a a o ur
Lik sw t th ghts i a dr am
e ee ou n e
T h night ing al s c m pl aint

’
e e o ,
I t di s po n he h art
e u r e
As I mu st o thin n e,
O b lo v ed as th u a t
e o r
O l ift m f r m t h g r ass
e o e
I di e ! I f aint ! I f ail !
Le t t hy l v e i kis rain
o n se s
O m y li p s a d y l ids p al
n n e e e .
My ch k i c ld an d whi te alas
ee s o ,
My h art b e ats l o u d a d f ast

e n
Oh p re ss it t o thin o wn ag ain e ,
W h re i t will b r ak at l ast
e e .
4
He r e is wr e c k ag e fr o m t he all but fo rg o tte n e xpe rime nt o f -
a d r a m a o n Ch ar l e s t he First
A wid w b ird s ate m rning f h l v

o ou or er o e
Up n a wintry b o gh
o u
T h f r z n wind c r pt
e o e ab o v e on e,
T h f r e z i g s t r e am b l w
e e n e o .
Th r w as l af p n t h f o re st b ar
e e no e u o e e,
N fl o w r po n t he g r o und
o e u ,
And l ittl e m tio n i t h ai o n e r
E xc e pt t h mi ll wh l s s o und 5
’
e -
ee .
Wh at a spe ll— fr o mo ld He ll as— is in Pan s p iping ’
F r m t h f o r sts a d highl ands

o e e n
W e co m w c m ; e, e o e
F r m t h r iv r girt island s
o e e -
,
Wh r l d wave s a d m b
e e ou re u
Liste ing t o m y swe t piping s

n e .
T h wind i t h r e ds a d t h r sh s
e n e e n e u e ,
Th b e t h b lls f thy m
ees on e e o e,
T h b ird
e t h m y rt l b sh s
s on e e u e ,
T h c i c al ab v i t h l im
e e o e n e e,
1 14 FIVE CE N TURIES OF E N G LISH VERSE
m o re ge ne r ally ab e tte d an d e mbitt e r e d by , , 1 m age
j o ys p as t r e c all ing
R ar ly r ar l y c m t th
e ,
e o es o u,
Spiri t f D light
fl
o e
W h r fo r ha t h l ft m w
e e e s en e e no
M y a d ay d night ?
an an
M ny a w ry ight a d d y
a ea n n a
T i sinc th e d aw ay
’
s a t e ou r .
How shall v e r e lik m e e on e
W i th b ck ag ain
n ee a
With t h j y o s a d t h f r
e o u n e ee
Th wil t s c ff at p ain
ou o .
Spirit f als th hast f rg t e ou o o
All b t th s w h n e d th
u o e o e ee n o t.
I l o v ll that tho u l v e st
e a o ,
Spiri t f D light o e
T h f r h E r th i
e esw l av s dre s t a n ne e e ,
And t h st rry ni ght e a
A t mn v ni g a d t h m o rn
u u e e n , n e
W h n t h g ld n mists a b r
e e o e re o n .
I l v sno w a d all t h f rms

o e , n e o
Of t h r ad i ant f r s t
e o
I l v w v s
o e d winds a d st o rm s
a e ,
an , n ,
E v ryt hi g alm o s t
e n
fl
W hi ch i N t r s a d m ay bs a u e
’
, n e
Unt inte d by m an s mise ry

a
’
.
I l o v L v — tho gh h ha wing s
e o e u e s ,
An d lik li ght e c an ee ,
B t ab v all o th r thi g s
u o e e n ,
Spiri t I l v e th , o ee
T h a t l v a d lif
ou r0 c m o e n e o e,
Mak o nc m r m y h art t hy h m
e e o e e o e .
8
N o t , fo rs o o t h , t hat
its re turn t o a dying wo r ld t o hi s wo rs e ,
th an dying s e l f is p o ssibl e o r pe rh aps t o b e d e si re d

, , , ,
P ERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY 1 15
Oh, w rld h lif o h tim o ,

e o , e
On wh s las t s te ps I c lim b
o e
Tr mb ling at that wh r I had st o d b f r

e e e o e o e
W h n will r t rn t h gl ry f y r p rim
e e u e o o ou e
N m o r — O ne v r m r !
o e , e o e
Ou t of nig ht
t he d ay an d
A j y has tak n fli ght ;

o e
Fr sh spring a d mme r a d wint r h ar

e , n su , n e o ,
M ve my f int h ar t wi th g ri f b u t wi th d light
o a e e , e
N o m o r — O ne v r m r !
e ,
e o e
9
T he p o we r e ve n t o l o ve is l o s t t o hi m ; an d t he o n e
ho pe he has is th at his n e e d o f pity m ay b e acc e pte d by t he
o bj e ct o f hi s s u pp li c a ti o n as a s u bs t itu t e
One wo rd is t o fte n p ro fan d o o e
F or m t o p r f an it
e o e ,
One fe e ling t o fals ly disd ain d o e e
F or th t o disdain it
ee .
One ho p is t o o l ik d s p air
e e e
F or p ru de nc t o sm th r e o e ,
And pi ty fr m th m r cl r o ee o e ea
Th n that f ro m ano th r
a e .
I c angi ve o t what me n c all l v

n o e ,
B t wil t tho u acc e pt o t

u n
T h wo rshi p t he he art lift s ab o v e

e ,
And t he H av e ns re j e ct n o t e ,
T he d e s ire o f t he m o th fo t he s tar r ,
Of t he nig ht fo t he mo r ro w r ,
T he d e v o tio n to s o m e thing af ar
F ro m t h s phe re o f o u so rr o w
e r
1°
T ho ugh w h at right t o e xpe c t anyt hing in b ar te r fo r a
l ife l e ss he art
Wh n t h lam p i sh tte r d
e e s a e
T h li g ht i t he d st li s d ad
e n
‘
u e e .
W h n t he clo d is s catte re d
e u
T h rainb w g l ry i she d
’
e o s o s .
H 2
116 FIVE CE N T URIE S OF E N GLISH VERSE
Wh n t h l t i b ro ke n
e e u e s ,
S w t t n s a e r e m m b re d
ee u e r e e not
W h n t h lip s hav s p k n
e e e o e ,
L o v d acc e nt s a
e s o o n f o rg o t re .
As m si c a d spl nd r
u n e ou
S r viv
u t t h l m p a d t he l t
e no e a n u e,
T h h ar t s c h s r nd e r
’
e e e oe e
N s ng wh n t h s piri t i m t
o o e e s u e
N s ng b t ad dirg s
o o u s e ,
Lik t h wind thr gh a r i d c ll

e e ou u ne e ,
O t h m o rnf l s rg s
r e u u u e
Th t ring t h d ad s am an s kn ll
a e e e
’
e .
11
T he m e re d icti o n has e nch antm e nt in it ; an d in that

r e sp e c t t he sp e ci m e ns I h ave o ffe r e d ar e ve ry far fr o m
m o n o p o l izing t he c harms o f the ir c l as s M any o the rs ar e .
t he ir e qu al s S o m e w hich ar e t o o l o ng t o b e se t o u t at all
.
,
fu ll y as we ll as t o o f a mi l i ar l y kn o wn t o n e e d re c alling
, ,
ar e t he ir s u p e ri o rs M ar k t he d azz l ing s e ri e s o f g l o wing

.
,
g l o ri o us i m age s d e dic ate d t o t he S k yl ar k T he who le .
is a g o l d e n st airc as e up w hich t he s o ng winds st e p by ,
st e p h e ave nw ar ds
,
1 2
As o ve r wh e l ming l y fr o m t he wings
.
o f its sist e r T he C l o u d its e l f nurs l ing o f t he s k y ar e

,
shak n t he d ws that wak e n e e
T h swe t b ds e v e ry
e e u on e,
W h n r ck d t r st th ir m th r s b r ast
e o e o e on e o e
’
e ,
As h d nc s ab o ut t h
s e a e e su n .
13
W hate ve r t he mi ns t r e l s t e mp e r o f t he m o m e n t t he music
’
e
n ve r f ai l s T he wi l d we s t wind dirge o f t he dying ye ar
.
.
1 4
,
at his inc ant at i o n be c o m e s an o rg an t o vo ic e his gl o o m

‘
.
.
W he n t he fit shifts rive r g o d d e ss e s d anc e an d c ar o l in

,
symp athy with his inst ant o f g ai e ty

Glidi g a d springing n n
S h w nt e v e r si g i ge e ,
n n ,
fl
1 18 FIVE CE N T URIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
fo r the ir p le as u r e Fr o m fir st t o l ast he has b e e n s e e king.
t o e mb o d y t o int e rp re t a visi o n a myst e r y

,
It has , , .
m atte re d n o thing t o hi m w h e the r t he t e xt we r e a aw in t he

Unive rs e o r a c l o ud in t he W e st t he sn apping o f a lu te s
,
’
ch o r ds o r t he d e at h o f A do n ais ; an o d e t o t he l ar k o r
,
18
,
a ps al m o n Inte ll ct l Be uty n o t t he l e ss pr o fo u n d th at
e u a a —
it is as l o ve l y al s o as
m i c by t h night wind s nt us e -
e
T hr tring s f s m s till instr m nt o

’
s o o e u e ,
O m nlig ht o a midni g ht s tr m !
r oo n ea
19
Me re o rdin ary l o ve rs o f p o e t ry must acce pt She lle y

fo r t hat he is b e c o nt e nt t hat he sings fo r hi ms e lf n o t ,
fo r the m H appi l y fo r th e m the y c ann o t b e in hi bite d

.
fr o m l iste ning T ho u gh the y have n o t b o ught t he pri vil e ge

.
by disc o ve ring wisd o m in Jul i an an d Mad d alo o r by e nte ring ,
int o t he inn e r m e aning o f Epipsychidi o n at l e ast th e y wi ll ,
u nd e rst and t he p o ssibi l iti e s o f Eng l ish v e r s e fr o m t he p e n
o f a m ast e r the y wi ll b e s e nsibl e o f a r aptu r e o f m e l o dy .
And the re m ay b e m o r e gre at minds— an d She lle y s with ’

,
a ll i t s fr e ak s was gr e at — h ave much t o te ll e v e n t o th o s e

,
w ho ar e n o t th e ir discip l e s .
P tic l W k f P rcy By h S h ll y d it d by H r y B xt
T he oe a or s o e ss e e e , e e a r u on
F m
or F rv l R v
an . d T ou r 1 87 6 o s. ee e s an u rn e , .
T J
1
o I vi t t i t t h Pi
an e , F r t n 65 —7 a on o e ne o es , vv . .
Li
2
W itt
n e s, m g th E g r Hill en2 86—9 3 a on e u an e an s, v v .
Th S
3
it i v P l t P r t I
e en s 15 16 d P t III
e 66—9 an , a , vv .
4
an ar , vv .
Th I d i e Sr d n Ch rl t h Fir t Sc 5
an e en a e .
5
a es e s ,
. .
Hym f P
6
n o an .
S g t z 1 2 5 6 8
on , s an AL m t
as , , , , .
9
a en .
T o Li t z 1 2 11
n e s , s an as -
.
T
12
Skyl k
o a T h Cl d ar 5 —8 .
13
e ou , vv . .
Od t t h W
1 4
e tW i d
o Ar th
e t 1 es n .
15
e u s a, s . .
Od t Li b rtye o Ozym d i e .
17
an as .
Ad i (E l gy t h D th f J h K t )
“3
on a s e on e ea o o n ea s .
Hym t I t ll ct l B ty t 3
1 °
n o n e e ua e au , s . .
J O H N KE A T S
1 7 9 5 — 1 82 1
E N DYM I ON s ur pris e d an d sho c ke d t he l inge ring o r t ho

d o xy o f l ate Ge o rgi an c ritics I t s au t ho r pr o vo ke d as
.
much anim o si t y as W o rds wo r t h an d m o r e t han Byr o n

, .
W o rd sw o rth b o r e n o r e l ati o n t o t he id o l s o f t he ir yo u th ,
Dr yde n an d Po pe B yro n an d Sc o tt al s o affe cte d t o

.
, ,
re ve re bo th R e vie w e rs simp l y did n o t un de rstand She lle y

. .
Endym i o n w as t he w o rs t o f r e be l s It had b o rr o w e d an d
.
t r ave stie d myt hs o f t he Gre e k Cl assics an d t he m e tre o f ,
Engl is h Mas t e rs Many re al f au lts ind e e d m ay be fo u nd

.
in it T he pl o t wan de rs an d pe rpe tu ally l o se s i t s e l f T he

.
, .
n arr ative o f t e n t he d e scripti o ns ar e pr o l ix an d te di o u s

, , .
T he dicti o n is tr o u bl e d with s t r ange w o r ds an d phr a se s .
T he r hym e t e n ds t o l e ad t he s e nse N o t r a r e l y t he id e as
.
ar e t hin in c o mp aris o n w i t h t he p ar ad e o f t he circ u m

st ance s m e an t t o w ai t u po n t he m Occ asi o n all y t he pr o s aic
.
w i ll o b t r u d e i t s e lf ; c o tt o n b ac ki ng s ho wing u nd e r ve l ve t
-
pi le B u t t he n t he g o lde n au tu mn al haze t he d e l ici o u s

.
,
u n c e rt ain t y w hat visi o ns o f r o m anc e wi ll n e x t c o m e an d
o fr o m an d int o h appy Dre a m l and T he age w as o n e o f

g
—
m u ddy pe rtur b ati o n strif e s o f pe o ple s ag ains t kings an d ,
kings ag ainst pe o p le s o f m o rt al s t ruggl e s be t w e e n agr ar i

,
an i s m an d fe u d al ism l a bo ur an d c api t al p o l i t ic a l e c o no my
, ,
an d an o u tw o rn F aith Im agine fo r t he fe w be l at e d
.
,
E l iz abe t hans t he jo y in t his p age an t o f O l ympi an go dd e sse s

,
h au nting t he h appy p astur e s o f Arc a di an hill s

I t is in tr u th an E l iz abe t han po e t s w o rl d T he E li z a ’
.
be t h an id e a o f po e t ry bre at he s t hr o u gho u t La ws o f .
physic al n atur e ar e suspe n de d Me n ri de o n e ag l e s wings .
’
,
walk t he se a an d s o j o urn in o ce an c ave s N o w hispe r o f

,
.
wr ang l ings o f st ate sm e n disc o nte nts an d hu nge r o f t he

, ,
s e e thing m ass e s stirs t he s e re n e s o l itu de Fi e l ds an d wo o d

,
.
l an d s ar e g o ve rn e d by n o hu m an law an d ne e d n o ne , .
T he c ar e s ar e n o t o f a kind t o b e in fl a m e d o r l ull e d by
t he l yre o f a Tyrt ae us T he auth o r o f En dym i o n had
.
d r u nk d e e p fr o m t he f o unt ains o f Si dne y Spe nse r an d , ,
Wi ll i a m B r o wn e o f Sh ake spe re t he singe r o f Ve nus an d

a —
Ad o nis o f Luc re ce an d t he S o nn e ts H e had l e arnt t o

, ,
.
m o ve in an uppe r air o f his o wn as the y in the i rs Whe re ,

.
,
in his m o de l s a tincture o f a purp o s e had inte r ve n e d

, ,
he st o pp e d sh o rt H e wo u l d h ave abh o rr e d t o e n l ist l i ke

.
,
his be l o ve d Spe nse r t he Mus e in t he s e rvice o f a m o ral

,
a ll e g o ry F o r hi m p o e try w as n o m inist e r t o d u ty as
.
,
u nd e rst o o d o utsid e N o p ainfu l re qu isiti o n o f s e l f de ni al

.
-
w as i mp o s e d up o n it by t he l aw s o f its b e ing En d ym io n .
,
with o u t a sting o f t he c o nsci e nce r e m o u l d e d fo r p o e tic u se

o n H e ll e n i c l in e s e ve n might w av e b a c k t o t he s k i e s his
,
dre a m mi stre ss H e is n o t l i ab l e t o a sh ad o w o f re pr o ach fo r

-
.
w o o ing an d winning be fo r e he w as pro pe r l y o ff with t he

,
o ld l o ve a d us k y an d m o r e t angib l e m ate
,
N mo r f dr aming — N w
o e o e o ,
Wh re shall o dw lli n g b Z
e ur e e
‘
1
F o r p o e ts in g e n e r al t he o n e i nsp ir ing m o tt o is
A thing f b e au ty i s a j y fo r e v r ;
o o e
2
fo r t he unive rs e t he e t e rn al law
, ,
That fi rst i b au ty sho ld b e fi rst i might

n e u n 3
an d fo r hims e l f
B a ty is tr th tru t b a ty that i s all

e u h —u , e u
Y kno w o
e ar th a d all y e n
n e d t kno w , n ee o .
4
T he w h o l e is i m m atur e H ad K e ats l ive d n o t imp o ss i b l y

.
,
fl
a buse d it l e ss th an in Ke ats s l ate r w o r k t he m ain cre di t
,
’
I be l ie ve t o b e d u e t o t he p o e t s sho c k at be ing c o nfro nt e d ’
by his o wn cr e ati o n au n t in g in t he b ro a d d ay o f typ e

its dishe ve ll e d an d u n ab ashe d ch arms It m ay al m o st .
b e s ai d th at in n o f a m o us Eng l ish p o e m is w ant o f m e th o d ,
m e as u re p ro p o rti o n m o re fl agrant th an in En d ymi o n

, , .
Po st an d in my o p inion pro pte r Endym i o n o n t he

, , ,
o the r h and n o qu al i t y in t he w rit e r is m o r e c o nspic u o us

,
th an c o mp l e t e n e ss o f w o rk m anship Th at st an d s o u t fro m .
t he m u l titud e o f a d mir ab l e pr o pe rti e s in t he g all e ry o f

his m aste rpie c e s Atm o sphe re l ights sh ade s p e rspe ctive
.
, , , ,
ar e all in th e ir ri ght p l ac e s I m agin ati o n always s atisfie s .

,
an d n e ve r c l o ys .
T he t e mp l e o f his p o e t b e ing thu s r e e d ifie d he d e dic at e d

-
,
-
,
t o t he g o d d e ss Be au ty w ith Me l anch o l y fo r he r chie f ,
m inistr e ss — d ainty Me l ancho l y

Sh dw e lls wi t B
e h e a —
ty B a ty that m st d i u e u u e
And J y who s h nd i v r at his li p s

o ,
e a s e e
Biddi ng adi ; d aching Pl as r igh eu an e u e n ,
T rning t o p is n whil t h b e m th si p s
u o o e e e- ou
Ay i t h v ry t m p l e f D li ght
, n e e e o e
V il d M l anch l y ha h s v r n shrin
’
e e o s er o a e,
T h gh s e n o f no n s av him who s str n o s t g

ou e e e e e u u on ue
Ca b rst J o y s g r p ag ins t hi p al ate fi

’
n u a e a s ne
H i s o l shall t st t h s ad n ss o f h
s u mi ght
a e e e er ,
And b am ng h cl o dy tro phi s h ng

e o er u e u .
5
W e have n o right t o b e as t o nish e d at his inc l in ati o n t o

t he p e nsive n e ss t he r e m o t e n e ss t he s o l it ari ne ss o f s o u l
, , ,
w hich he inte nds by Me l anch o l y Inte lle ctu all y e ve n ,
ap art fr o m di s e as e he w as fr a m e d t o t ak e l itt l e int e re st

,
in t he wo r ld int o w hich he w as b o rn H e th o ught an d fe l t .
himse l f int o an o the r t w o c e ntu ri e s e ar l i e r In t hat wo r l d

,
.
its e lf he tro u b l e d his f ancy wi t h n o ne o f t he active c are s an d

struggl e s I t s ve ry b o o k s he did n o t re ad as an antiqu ary
.
JOHN KEATS 1 23
or st u d e nt T he air o f it w hich b e bre athe d he had disti ll e d

.
fo r hi s indivi du al u se Its g arde ns w hich he p ace d he had .
himse lf e ncl o se d an d p l ante d Ove r t he wh o l e he dr e w .
an atm o sph e r e a v e i l o f s l u mb e
,
r o u s c a l m — n o t f r o m Sp ring
, ,
b u t fr o m m o r e c o mp ani o n ab l e A u t umn
S aso n f m ists a d m ll w f rui tf ln ss
e o n e o u e
Cl s b s m f ri nd f t h m t in g
o e o o -
; e o e a ur su n
C nspiring wi th him h w t l o d a d bl ss
o o o a n e
With f r it t h vin s th t r und t h thatch av s

u e e a o e -
e e r un
T b nd wi th ppl s t h m d c o tt ag t r s
’
o e a e e o ss e ee ,
A d fi ll all f r i t wi th ri p n ss t o t h c r
n u e e e o e.
W ho hath n th e ft amid t hy t r
n o t se e e o s o e
S m tim s wh v r s ks b r ad m y fi d
o e e oe e ee a o a n
T h si tti g c r l ss
ee g ran ry fl r
n a e e on a a oo ,
T hy hair s ft lift d b y t h winn wi g wind o -

e e o n
a h lf ap d f rr w s nd asl p ’
O r on a -
re u o ou ee ,
D r ws d wi th t h f m o f po ppi s whil t hy h k
o e e u e e ,
e oo
Sp r s t h n xt sw th d all it twi d fl w rs ;
a e e e a an s ne o e
A d s m t im lik
n o gl n r th d t k p
e e e a ea e ou os ee
St d y t hy l ad n h ad ac ro ss b r k
ea e e a oo
O b y a cid r p r ss wi th p ati nt l k
r e -
e , e oo ,
T ho w t h t t h l ast i g h rs by h r
u a c es e ooz n s, ou ou s .
W h r a t h s gs f Spri g Ay wh r a th y
e e re e on o n , e e re e
T hi k t f th m th h st t hy m i c t
n no o e , ou a us oo ,
W hi l b rr d cl ds bl m t h so ft dying d ay
e a e
'
ou oo e -
,
A d t o c h t h st bbl pl ai s wi th r sy h
n u ; e u e- n o ue
T h n i wailf l cho ir t h sm ll gn ts m rn
e n a u e a a ou
Am ng t h riv r s llo ws b o rn al o ft
o e e a , e
O si n ki g a t h li g ht wind liv s
r n di s s e e or e
A d f l l g r wn l m b s l d b l at f r m hi lly b rn
n u -
o a ou e o ou
H dg c rick ts si g a d w wi th t r bl s ft
e e- e n n no e e o
Th e d b r as t whis t l s f r m a g rd n c r ft
e r -
e e o a e -
o ,
A d g ath ring sw ll ws twi tt r i t h

n ki e a o e n e s es .
6
If mir t h e ve r fe igns t o insp ire him i t is n o t e asi l y ,
distin gu ish abl e fr o m s adne ss A t all e ve nts i t is t hat o f .

,
t he bygo n e p as t an e ch o fr o m
S o u ls of p o e ts de ad an d g o ne ,
7
re p o sing
lysi an l aw on E n s
Bro ws d by n b t Di s f w se on e u an
’
a n
Und rn th l arg b l b lls t nt d

e ea e ue - e e e ,
Wh r t h d aisi s a r o s s c nt d
e e e e re e- e e
Wh r t h ighting l e d th si g
e e e n a o n
N t a s ns l ss t ranc d thing
o e e e ,
e ,
B t divin m l di
u s t r th e e o ou u
Phil so phi c nu m be rs sm o o th
o
Tal s a d go ld n histo ri s
e n e e
Of h av n a d it my st ri s
e e n s e e
8
y e t s ti ll a t tim e s sighing t o o n e an o the r
Wh t E lysi m h v w kn wn
a u a e e o ,
H ppy fi ld m ssy c av rn
a e or o e ,
C ho i c r th n t h Me rm aid Tave rn 2
e a e
‘
9
Or it m ay b e m o num e nt al g aie ty ; i mpris o ne d in sc u l p

t u r e d st o n e a mid myrr h sc e nt e d f un e r al as he s
,
-
W h t l af fring d l g nd h ts ab o t t hy shap
a e -
e e e au n u e
Of d i ti s
e m rt ls
e orf b o th o a , or o ,
nI T mp e t h d l s f Ar c d y
e , or e a e o a
What m g ds a th s 2 W hat m id ns l ath

en o r o re e e
‘
a e o
W hat m d p r i t What str uggl t s c ap

a u su e o e e
W hat pi p s d tim br ls 3 What wild c tasy

e an e
‘
e s
H e ard me l o di e s ar e swe e t b t tho se unhe ard ,

u
A sw e t e r ; the r f o re y e s o ft pi p e s p l ay o
re e e , , n
N o t t o t he se nsu al e a b u t m o re e d e a d
’
r , , n r ,
Pi p e t o t he spiri t di tti e s o f n o to n e
F air y o u th b ne ath t he tre e s tho u c anst n o t l e av e

, e ,
T hy s o n g o ve r c a tho se tre e s b e b ar
, n r e n e
B o ld Lo v e r ne v e r ne ve r c anst tho u kiss

, , ,
T ho u gh wi n n i ng ne ar t h g o al— y e t d o n o t gri e v e , e
Sh c a no t f ad e tho u gh tho u has t o t t hy b liss

e n , n ,
F o e v r wil t tho u l o v e a d h b e f air

r e , n s e
W ho ar e the se c o mi g t o t h s ac ri fic e ? n e
To what g re e n al tar O my t ri o u s p ri st , s e e ,
P rhap s t h s lf sam e s g that f d p ath
e e e -
on oun a
Thr gh t h sad h art o f R th wh n sic k f r ho m

ou e e u ,
e , o e,
Sh t d i t ars amid t h ali n c rn

e s oo n e e e o
T h s m t h t o ft tim s h th e a e a -
e a
Cha m d m g i c a m t s p ning t h f o am
’
r a e se en , o e on e
Of p ril s s as i f ry l ands f rl o rn
e ou e , n ae o .
F rlo rn t he v e ry w rd i lik a b ll
o o s e e
T t ll m b ac k f r m t h
o o t o my s l e s lf
e o ee o e
Adie u t h f ncy c anno t ch t o w ll

e a ea s e
As h is f am e d t d d c i ving e lf
s e o o , e e .
Adi e adi
u t hy p l ainti v anth m f a
eu de s e e
Past t h n ar me ad ws o v r t h still str am

e e o , e e e ,
Up t h hill sid ed w t is b ri d d e p
-
e an no
’
u e e
I t he n xt v all y g l ad s n e e -
e
W a it a visi n o a w ki g dr am 2
‘
s o , r a n e
F l d i that m si c d I w k
e — s sl e p 1 1
u o a e or e
Me l ancho l y an d Be au ty h and in hand — v e ry marve l s

, ,
B u t I must ad d an o the r m ar ve l— this an e x a mp l e o f c o n

sum m at e ar t— t he Ch apm an H o m e r s o nn e t -
Mu ch hav I t ll d i t h r lms f g ld
e r av e
’
n e ea o o ,
An d m any g o dl y s t at s a d king d ms se n o e n o e
R o nd m any w st rn isl nds hav I b n

u e e a e ee
Whi ch b ards i f alty t o Ap llo h ld n e o o .
Oft f wid xpans had I b n t ld

o one e e e ee o
That d p b ro w d H m r r l d a hi d m sn
ee -
’
o e u e s s e e e
Y t di d I n v e r b re ath i t p re s r n
e e e s u e e e,
Till I h ard C hap m an s p e ak

e t l d a d b ld ou ou n o
Th n f l t I lik so m watch r f t h ski s

e e e e e o e e
W h n a e w pl an t swims int his k

e n e o en
O lik st o t C o rt z wh n wi th ag l
r e u y s e e e e e e
H s t ar d at t he P a ifi
e a d all hi m
e c c -
n s en
L k d t ach th r wi th wild s rmise

’
oo a e o e a u
S il nt p o n a p ak i D ari n
e , u e n e .
12
H ad Ke ats writt e n n o m o r e th an such a s o nne t an d such

o de s ,
he must h ave r an k e d a m o ng t he highe st in s o ng .
H e f o u n d t im e h o we ve r in his bri e f an d s o r e l y tri e d sp an

, ,
o f l ife t o w o r k o n l arg e r c anv as e s an d n e ve r w ith o ut a ,

JOHN KEATS 1 27
t riumph T he E v e o f S t Agne s Is abe ll a Lami a Hype r io n

. .
, , , ,
bre athe all fo ur o f t he s am e cr e ative s o u l E ach is

, ,
.
radi ant l y distinct A m o ng the i r m any bri ll i ant qual itie s

.
n o t t he l e ast a m azing is fo r t he p ro ximity in t he d at e s o f,
th e ir bi rth this abs o l ute varie ty

, .
Exquisite n e ss o f d e t ai l always h arm o ni o us ch ar acte rize s , ,
t he fi rst . Many a p ainte r c o ul d te stify n o t wi t h o ut a p ang , ,
ho w pr o v o c ative is t he p o e t s ch all e nge t o w o r k up t o t he

’
g l o wing fr a m e in whi ch he has se t hi s s we e t Made l ine an d ,
ho w un e qu a l t he c o mp e ti t i o n
A c ase m e nt hig h an d t ri p l e ar c h d t he re was
’
-
,
All g arl ande d wi th c arv e n imag e rie s

Of f ru i t s an d fl o we rs an d b u nche s o f kno t g rass
, ,
-
,
And di am o nde d wi th p ane s o f qu aint d e vi c e ,
Innu m rab le o f st ains an d sple ndi d dye s

e ,
As a t he tige r m o th s d e e p d amask d wing s ;

re -
’
-
’
And in t he midst m o ng tho u sand he raldrie s ,

’
,
And twilight saints a d d i m e mb la o in gs , n z n ,
A shi e lde d s cu tche o n b lu sh d wi th bl o o d o f qu e ens a d king s ’

n .
F ull o n this c ase m e nt sho ne t he wintry m o o n ,
And thre w warm gu l e s o n Mad e line s f air b re ast ’

,
As d o wn she kne l t fo r he av e n s g rac e an d b o o n ’
R o se b l o o m f e ll o n he r hands t o g e the r p re st
-
, ,
And o he r silve r c r o ss s o ft ame thyst

n ,
An d o h r hair a g l o r y lik a s aint

n e , e
S he se e m d a s pl e ndid ang e l ne wl y dre s t

’
, ,
S av e wing s fo he av e n — Po rphyr o g re w f aint ;

, r
S he kne l t s o pu re a thi g o f re e f ro m m o rt al t aint

, n , s .
S o o tre m bling i n he r s o ft an d chilly ne st

n , ,
I s o r t o f w ak f ul swo o n p e ple x d sh lay

n e , r
’
e ,
Until t he p o ppie d warm th o f sl e e p o ppr e s d s

’
H e s o o the d limb s a d s o u l f at i gu e d aw ay
r , n
F l o wn l ik e a tho u ght u n til t he m o rro w d ay

, ,
-
Blissful ly hav e n d b o th f ro m jo y a d p ain

’
n
Clasp d lik e a mi ss al wh re swart P ayn i ms p ray

’ '
Bl inde d al ike f r o m sunshine a d f ro m r ain n ,
As tho u gh a ro se sho u ld shu t an d b e a b u d ag ain , .

An o the r an d who lly di ffe re nt n o te is struc k wi t h ve ry
, , ,
di ssimi l ar but as de l ic ate l y sui t abl e acc o mp anim e nts in

, ,
t he pit e o us st o r y o f Is ab e ll a N o t th at au ght is all o we d t o .
o bsc u re t he c e nt r al figur e a l m o st t he p e e r o f Ch auc e r s

’
,
Gris e ld a she b o ws t o t he st o r m o f frate rn al ve nge anc e o n

he r humbl e l o ve r fo r l o rn t e n de r un vin dictive an d , , ,
p atie nt e xce pt fo r t he o n e he art pi e rcing cry

,
-
fo c r l t i s s aid sh
‘ ’ ’
r ue , e,
T o st e al m y B asil p o t away f ro m m 14
’
-
e .
In L ami a o n t he o the r h an d it is t he p l o t r athe r th an

, , ,
t he circumst anc e s o r t he figur e s o n w hich atte ntio n is

, ,
c o nc e ntr ate d On t he t ale m o ve s t o its c at astr o phe

.
,
myste ri o us y e t fo re s e e n ine vit abl e auste re st ate l y l i ke

, , , , ,
a gr e at m e di ae va l n o b l e in ve l ve t an d l ace o n his w ay , ,
t o T o we r Hi ll 15
.
An d fin all y t he p al ac e d o o r o f K e ats s sp l e n di d f ancy

’
,
fl i e s o p e n fo r t he go d Hyp e ri o n t o p ass w ithin

— —
H e te d b t h d f ll o f wrath
’ ’
e n t r , u e en er u
Hi s fl mi ng r o b s st am d o t b y o nd hi s he ls
’
a e re u e e ,
And g av a r o ar a if o f rthl y fi
e , s ea re,
That s c ar d away t he m k th r al H rs
e ee e e e ou
And m ad th ir do v wing s tr mb l O h flar d

e e e- e e . n e e ,
Fr m stat l y nav t o n v f r m v au l t t v a l t
o e e a e, o o u ,
Thr gh b o w rs f f ragr nt a d e nwr athe d light

ou e o a n e ,
A d di m o nd p av e d l st r s l o ng ar c ad s
n a -
u ou e ,
U til h a h d t h gr at m ain c p o l a
n e re c
’
e e u
Th r standi g fi r c b n ath h st ampt hi f t

e e, n e e e e , e s oo ,
A d f ro m t h b as m nt s d p t o t h high t w rs
n e e e ee e o e
J d his o w g ld n r gi n ; a d b f r
ar r
’
n o e e o n e o e
T h q av e ring th
e u d r th r p n had c ase d un e e eu o e ,
H is v i c l apt o t d s p i te f g dlik c u rb
e e ou , e o o e ,
T t his r s l t
o O dr ms o f d y a d ig ht
e u ea a n n
O m st r s f rms O ffi gie s f p in
‘
on ou o e o a
O s p ct r s b y i a c ld c ld g l o m
e e us n o , o o
O l ank e ar d P hant o ms o f b l ac k w e d d p ls
’
- -
e e oo
P ri e sts o f Me l an ch o l y F an e s o f t he Mu s e s o u ght t o b e v e r i
.
t ab l e Panth e o ns with ro o m fo r shrin e s o f all t he Gr ac e s

,
an d Vi r tu e s T e n de rne ss L o ving kindn e ss H e r o ism F aith

.
, , , ,
an d inn o c e nt J o y h av e a right t o m ak e th e i r h o m e th e r e ;
an d a Ch ap e l Sho u l d b e c o ns e cr at e d t o S o rr o w N o t all in .
Ke ats s i de al l o v e lin e ss is r e al T he stur dy fr e qu e nt e rs

’
.
o f t he Me r m aid m ight h av e m o c k e d at s o m e o f t he c l assic
fo rms rising fr o m hi s p e n S o m e thing in t he l andsc ap e is .
sc e n e p ainting Ru de b o t anists w o u ld sc o ff at t he f airy

-
.
f o r e sts an d g ar d e n l and o f t he e xi l e d Tit ans N o l ark

-
.
c ar o l s h e re wi th t he fr e shn e ss o f t he Ayr shire pl o u ghm an s ’

.
T he Mu s e is hid d e n t o k e e p c o mp any w ith scu l pt u r e d

fu ne ral u rns an d t he d u st th e r e in ins t e ad o f k ind ling ,
li ving h e arts .
B u t I r e p e nt Le t m e b e f o rgiv e n fo r h aving b e e n
.
t e mpt e d t o d we ll o n a s o mbr e tr u is m which afte r all is , , ,
o n l y a h al f trut h
-
Sid e by sid e with it st an d s as I gl adl y
.
,
a c kn o w l e dg e an o th e r
, th at ge nius has m anifo ld ph as e s
, .
On e p o e t n o w an d th e n m ay b e sp ar e d fr o m t he d ul l
h aunts o f m e n t o r o am e nchant e d an d e nch anting thr o ugh
, ,
mo o n lit f o r e st gl ad e s It is g o o d t o b e r e min de d fr o m
.
t im e t o tim e th at t he d u ty o f p o e try is n o t t o se w an d
spin ; th at it s fir st o b l igati o n t o b e fu l fill e d o n p ain o f b e ing
,
n o t p o e try at all is t o b e b e autif u l as a li l y o f t he fi e l d

, .
Ke ats w as b o r n in an age o f br u t e mi l it ary f o rc e Hu m ani ty .
had b e e n v u l gariz e d by p o litic al p ani c o r a mbit io n I d e as .
with n o m o n e y o r physic al p o w e r in th e m we r e d e spis e d .
His n atur e re vo lt e d in d isgu st In d e fi anc e he se t u p t he .
i m age o f B e au ty t o b e w o rshipp e d At l e ast t he s e rvic e .
carri e d m e n o u tsi d e th e ir o w n p o o r s e l v e s it f ascin at e d ,
an d r e fine d W ho o ld o r y o u ng c an r e c all t he fir s t
.
, ,
r e v e l ati o n t o hi m o f T he E v e o f St Agn e s t he N ighting al e .

,
Od e Hyp e rio n W ith o ut f e e ling how w hil e he r e ad an

, , , ,
JOH N KEATS 131
oc e an s e e m e d t o ro ll b e fo r e hi s e ye s as , t he I liad ,
a n ew
p l an e t s wa m into t he k e n o f Jo hn Ke ats
,
T he P tic l W rk f J h K t with M m ir by Ric h

oe a o s o o n ea s a e o ar d
Mo n ckt Mil
on N w E d i ti
nes . E M x 1 85 4
e on. . o on, .
1
E d ym i
n B k IV
on, oo I b id B k I
.
2
.
, oo .
3
Hyp ri e on . Od G r ci U t 5 e on a e an rn , s . .
5
Od e onM l c h ly e an o T A t m
. o u u n .
7
Lin es on t h M erm id T v
e Od a a e rn .
3
e .
Lin es o nt h M rm id T v r
e e a a e n .
1°
Od G r c ia U
e on a t z I 2 4
e n r n , s an as , , .
Od t e N ighti g l
o a t z l 6 7 8 n a e , s an as , , .
O Fir t L ki g i t Ch p m
n s oo Hmr
n n o a an s o e .
‘3
Th E e f St Ag
ve o t z 24 2 5 2 7
. n e s , s an as , , .
N
I b ll
sa e a T h P t f B il t 6 2
o r, e o o as , s . .
15
L mi
a a. Hyp ri B k I 1“
e on . oo .
C H AR LE S W O L F E
1 7 9 1 — 1 82 3
I H AD d o ubt e d w h e th e r t o ass ign a p l ac e t o W o l fe s ’
p o e ms r ath e r th an t o him Fin ally I d e ci d e d th at his

.
,
n atu r e w as t o o m u ch o f a p o e m fo r his w o r k n o t t o b e
c l ass e d by his p e rs o na l ity In his sch o o l b o y d ays at
.
Winch e ste r he w as a p o e t His l in e s o n t he raising o f

.
L az arus sh o w d istinct p o e tic insight Th e i r n o t e is t he .
f e e l ing o f Je sus fo r o th e rs gri e f ’
H e kn e w what p ains m u st p ie r c e a sist r s he art 1

’
e .
It is t he s a m e w ith his priz e p o e m o n t he D e ath o f Ab e l

N o c u ld hi li p s a d e p drawn sigh re s t rain
r o s e -
,
im
N o t fo r h se l f h i
e s g h d — he sigh d fo r C ain
’ ’
.
2
Thr o u gh o u t a bri ll i ant c ar e e r at T rinity D u b l in it w as as , ,
a p o e t th at he w a s p artic u l ar l y r e c o gniz e d An o ld air .
c o u l d n o t s o u nd in his e ars with o ut h ast e ning t o e mb o d y

its e l f in m e l o di o u s v e rs e His fe w s o ngs t he p o e m its e l f
.
,
by whic h he is i m m o rt al iz e d w e r e e m o ti o ns tr ans l at e d
,
instantl y int o l angu age His bi o gr aph e r w ho c ann o t b e

.
,
a ccus e d o f p o e tic al e nthusi asm d e scrib e s t he e ffe ct o f music

,
u p o n hi s im agin ati o n : he f e l t all its p o e try ; it t rans

p o rt e d him T he s a m e fri e nd r e c o ll e cts ho w c aptiv at e d
.
’
by a n ati o n al Sp an i sh air Viva c l R e y F e rnan d o he c o m

, ,
m e n c e d singing it o v e r an d o v e r ag ain unti l he pr o du c e d ,
a n Eng l ish s o ng ad mi r ab l y s u it e d t o t he t u n e H e had

music in his he art .
The re aft e r t he c l o s e o f his Co lle ge c ar e e r it st aye d

, , ,
t o b e me asur e d l e ss by ye ars than by m o nths o r we e k s , ,
p e rh aps by d ays an d ho u rs T he actu al b ulk o f his e n t ir e .

’
p o e tic al pr o d u cti o n is sc anty ind e e d Ap art fr o m sch o o l .
an d c o ll e g e e x e rcis e s it c o nsists o f h al f a d o zen s o ngs

,
.
.
S e ve r al ar e pr e tty an d gr ac e ful Y e t o n th e i r o wn me rits .

, ,
I c o ul d n o t c l ai m th at th e y w o uld h ave surviv e d e v e n

the ir auth o r s bri e f e xis te nc e Wh at th e n r e m ains W hy
’
.
,
b e s i d e rath e r th an a m o ng t he m e agre r e st j u st tw o o f
, , ,
t he l o v e li e st fl o w e r s in t he g ar d e n o f Engl ish v e rs e
T he e ntir e An gl o S ax o n wo r ld is f a mi l i ar with t he p o e m
-
o n t he B ur i al o f Si r Jo hn M o o r e If I give it h e re in full .
,
i t chi e fl y is fo r c o nv e ni e nc e o f c o mp aris o n with an o th e r

pie c e by W o l fe as ad m ir ab l e in a diffe re nt w ay
Not a d u r m
w as he a , n o t a f u e a o te rd n r ln
r
As hi s c o se t o t he a p a t w e hu e r m r rri d
N o t a o di es l r dis
cha g e his f a e e ho t r d r w ll s
r w
O e r t he g av e he e o u r he r e w e b u e
’
r ri d .
W ebu rie d him d arkl y at de ad o f night ,
fl
T he s o ds wi th o u r b ay o ne t s t u rning ,
B y t he st ru gg ling mo o n b e am s misty light

A
’
And t he l ante rn di mly burning .
No s l ss c o i ncl o se d his b r ast

u e e n e e ,
N o t i she e t o i shr d w w nd him

n r n ou e ou
B t h lay lik e a w arri o r t king hi r e s t

u e a s
Wi th his m arti al cl ak aro nd him o u .
Few sh r t w e r t h p ray rs w said

an d o e e e e ,
A d w sp k
n t a w o rd o f s rr w
e o e no o o
But w e st e ad f st l y g az d t h f c t hat was d a

a d e on e a e e ,
A d w b i tt rl y tho u ght o f t he m o r ro w
n e e .
W tho u ght as we ho llo w (1 his narro w b e d

e
’
And smo o the d d o wn his l o ne ly pill o w ,
That t h fo e an d t he st ra g r wo ld t re ad
e n e u o er
’
his he ad,
An d we fa aw ay o n t h b ill o w
r e .
CHARLES W OLFE 135
Lightly th y ll t lk f t h spiri t th t g n
'
’ ’
e a o e a s o e,
his c ld ash s u pb raid hi m

’
An d o er o e
B t li tt l h ll re c k i f th y le t hi m sl p o
’
u e e e ee n
I t he g rav wh r a Brit o n ha l aid him

n e e e s .
lf f
B u t ha h avy t ask wa d n
o o ur e s o e
W h n t h cl ck stru c k t h ho r fo r ti ing
e e o e u r e r
And w h rd t he dis tant a d rand o m g

e ea n un
That t h f e w as su ll nly fi ri g
e o e n .
S lo wly a d s adl y w e l aid him d o wn
fl
n ,
F ro m t he fie ld o f hi s f am e f re sh an d go ry
W e c arv e d o t a line a d w e r aise d n o t a s to ne
n , n
B u t w e l e ft him al o ne wi th his g l o ry ! 4
The w h o l e had fl ashe d o u t o f a c as u al gl anc e at a in t y

p ar agr aph in a sup e r annu at e d numb e r o f t he E dinb u rgh
Annu al R e gi ste r B y r o n wh o s e symp ath e tic e ye s it fir st
.
,
c au ght thr o ugh n o s e lf adve rtising by t he autho r acc o un te d

,
-
,
it l itt l e in fe r io r t o t he b e st which t he p r e s e nt p ro li fi c age

had br o ught f o r th T he third st anz a in p ar tic u l ar t he
—
,
s e c o n d c o pl e t d r e wfr o m him t he e xc l amatio n Pe rfe ct

u — ,
T he u npr e m e d it at e d ar t its e l f is e xc e ll e nt Obs e rv e fo r .

,
e x a mp l e , ho w t he s e v e nth st anz a l ab o urs in instinct i v e

sym pathy with t he bur de n In abs o l ute n e s s o f picto rial .
e ffe ct t he p o e m has fe w e q u als in its ki n d n o sup e ri o r , .
T he pr e cis e c o rr e sp o nd e nc e o f t he d e t ai l s w ith t he pr o s e
n arr ative which has b e e n u rg e d in d e pr eci ati o n i n fact
, ,
g r e at l y e nh a nc e s t he m e rit W o l f e s v e rsi o n i s i d ent i c al .

’
w i t h its s o u r c e e xc e pt th at a s o u l has b e e n adde d

, .
In t he l in e s T o Mary t he pr o c e ss is aft e r a m ann e r , ,
r e v e rs e d. W o lfe fo und an air o f m e l anch o l y b e auty ,
G r am ac hr e e d e fo r m e d by al i e n c o m m o np l ac e w o rd s He
’
, , .
gave it b ac k its pr o p e r sign ific an c e In to n e an d ch aract e r

'
t he s o ng w hil e m atching t he B u ri al o f Sir Jo hn Mo o re in

,
l o ve l in e ss is it wi ll I think b e r e c o gniz e d so g e ne r all y

, , , , ,
1 36 FIVE CE N TURIES OF E N GLI SH VERSE
d istinct as t o indic at e th at in W o l fe s p o e tic al c ar e e r t he
,
’
ph e n o me n o n t he acci de nt is n o t his au tho rship o f a c o u pl e

, ,
o f p ar ag o ns o f m e l o d y but his o missi o n t o ad d a sc o r e o f

,
e qu al m ar v e ls
I f I had tho u g ht tho u c o lds t hav e di e d u ,
I mi ght n o t w e p fo r th e e e
B u t I f o rg o t whe n at t hy sid e
, ,
That tho u c o ldst m o r tal b e ; u
I t n v e r thr o u gh m y mind had p as t

e
T he t im e w o ul d e e r b o e r
’ ’
e ,
An d I o the e sho u ld l o o k m y l ast

n
And tho u sho u ldst sm

,
ile n o m o r e.
An d still po n that fac I l k

u e oo ,
A d thi k t will smil ag ain ;

’
n n e
And still t h th ght I will t b r o k

e ou no o ,
That I m st l o k i v ain u o n
B t wh n I s p ak— th
u e d st t ay e ou o no s ,
W h t tho n e r l ft t nsaid
a u e
’
e
’
s u
And w I f l w ll I may
no ee , as e ,
S w t Mary tho u a t d ad
ee r e .
I f tho u wo ld t stay e as tho u a t

u s ,
’
en r ,
All c o ld a d all s r n n e e e
I s till mi ght p re s t hy sil nt h ar t s e e ,
A d wh r t hy smil s hav e b e n
n e e e e
W hil t hy c hill b l ak c rs I hav

’
e e en , e o e e,
Th m st still min
o u se e we e o n
B t t h r — I lay t h
u e e i t hy g rav ee n e,
And I am o w al n n o e
I do thi k whe re e r tho u at

not n ,
’
r ,
Tho hast f o rgo tte n m

u e
An d I p e rhap s may s o the t his he ar t

, , o
I thi n kin g t o o o f the e ;

n , ,
Y e t t he re w as ro u nd the e su c h a d aW n
,
Of li ght ne e r se e n b e f o re
’
,
As f a cy ne v e r c o u ld have drawn
n
,
An d ne v e r c an r st o re e 6
H E N RY H AR T M I L MAN
1 791 —1 8 6 8
I RE M E M BE R
h ave he ar d fr o m p e rs o ns o ld w h e n e ve n
to
I w as yo ung th at t he s e ns ati o n stir r e d by Mi l m an s s acr e d
,
’
dr a m as w as c o mp ar abl e with t hat w hich att e nd e d t he

app e ar anc e o f a n e w p o e m by B yr o n H e w as h ai l e d as .
a l iving pr o o f o f t he c o mp atib ili ty o f p o e tic g e ni u s w ith
r e l igi o n by t he o rtho d o x who we re s o o n t o b an hi m a s

a sc hism atic T he e n thusias m s u bsid e d s o o n e r th an t he
‘
ho sti l ity It p e rh aps th e y had a s o l i d fo u n d ati o n in t he

.
, ,
fact o f t he gre at br ain an d br av e h e art o f t he i r o bj e ct H e .
n e ve r wr o t e wh e th e r v e rs e o r hi st o ry w itho u t t he
, , ,
p ro mptings o f d e e p tho u ght an d a str o ng dra m atic ins tinct .
Fro m yo u th up wards he p o ss e ss e d an d di sp l aye d t ast e ,
f ancy a fi n e e ar thir st fo r kn o wl e dge an d a r e s o l u t e c o m

, , ,
b at iv e n e s s .
He l e apt int o fa m e with his N e w d igate priz e fo r t he

Ap o llo B e lvi de r e S o m e o f t he l in e s ar e n e ve r l ik e l y t o
.
b e f o rgo tt e n fo r inst anc e

H e ard y e t he arro w hu rtl e i n t he sky
H ard y e t he drago n m o nst r s d e athf l c ry
e e
’
u
I s e tt l d m aj sty o f fi e r c e disd ain

n e e ,
Pro u d o f hi m ight y t s co rnf u l o f t he sl ain

s , e ,
T h he av ly Ar c h r s t ands— n o h m an b ir th
’
e n e u ,
N o p e rishab l e d e ni z e n o f e ar th
Yo u th b l o ms imm o rtal i hi b e ardl e ss f ac e
o n s ,
A Go d in stre ngth wi th m o re than g o dlike g rac e

,
All a ll,d n n o stru ggling mu s cl e gl o ws

i vi e —
,
Thro u gh he aving v e in n o m antlin g lif b l o o d fl o ws e -

,
B t a im ate wi th d e i ty al o ne
u n ,
I d athl ss g l o ry liv e s t h b re athi n g st ne

n e e e o .
HE N RY HART MILMAN
B a te s a visi n s n i d am y sl p
e u ou s o ee n r e ee
By h l y m aid D l phi s ha nt d s te p
o on e
’
u e e ,
M id t h d i m twi li ght f t h l a r l gr o v
e o e u e e ,
T f air t w rshi p t di vin t l o v

oo o o , oo e o e .
1
B u t t he w h o l e bri e f p o e m e xc e pting t he c o nc l u si o n w ith its
fl
,
sickl y s e nti m e ntality is alm o st f au l tl e ss T he Ju d i c iu m

,
.
R e gal e c o mpo s e d in anticip ati o n o f t he visit o f t he A llie d

,
S o ve re igns t o Engl an d fo ll o we d Its rh e to ric appr o ach e s

, .
gr an de u r n o twi thstan ding th at it al s o has its aw in an

,
unge n e r o us vin d ictive ne ss t o wards a f alle n fo e A l r e ady .
he vir t u all y had c o mp l e t e d S amo r L o r d o f t he B right ,
Ci ty c o m m enc e d w h e n he w as a lad at Et o n The e pic

,
.
ab o u n d s i n vi vid dr am atic situ ati o ns fo r e x amp l e t he , ,
s o n o r o u s n arr ative o f King Ar gan t y r s sur r e n d e r t o Samo r ’

.
Its w e akn e ss is a j uve n il e inc lin ati o n t o ri o ting in ho rro rs .
An inst anc e b y n o m e ans e xc e pt io n al is t he s ac rifi c e by

, ,
Caswallo n s s av ag e a mbiti o n t o t he G o d s o f Val h all a o f

’
hi s o n l y d au gh t e r H e had l e ft he r t o gr o w u p as a wi ld
.
flo we r by D e r we n t s b l u e l ake ’
Lik a f r g tte n l t play d o al n

’
e o o u e, n o e
B y chanc c are ssing airs e -

.
2
T he gro t e sque e xtr av aganc e s th e ms e l v e s h o we ve r t e stify , ,
t o p o w e r T he w h o l e in its pr o dig al e xp e ndit u r e o f e ffe cts

.
, ,
l u rid sp l ash e s o f c o l o u r o n acr e s o f c anvas an d au d aci o u s ,
d e fian c e s o f hi s t o ry might we ll h av e b e e n m at e ri al fo r t he
,
gr o wth o f a mighty p o e t ,
.
Fr o m t he s am e s o ur c e iss u e d in f act b e sid e s a c are fu l , , ,

.
b u t l itt l e r e ad tr ans l ati o n fr o m t he S ansc rit t wo s e c u l a r

, ,
an d t hr e e re ligi o u s p l ays an d the n in p l ac e o f t he ,
p o e t a phil o s o phic hi sto ri an Of t he p l ays F a zi o is a pi e c e

, .
,
fo r t he st age an d acc o mplish e d act o rs h av e ac k n o wl e d g e d
i t s m e r its as s u ch T he s acr e d pi e c e s tho u gh in dr a m at ic

.
,
fo rm ar e e ss e nti ally p o e ms an d as such t o b e j u dge d

, , .
1 40 FIV E CE N TURIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
T he y h ave u n d e rgo n e t he pr o p e r r e fining fr o m t he n o isin e ss ,
t he vi o l e nc e t he abs u r d iti e s o f t he b o yi sh e pic

,
H al f .
a c e ntur y ago t he r e ad ing pub l ic ad mi r e d t he aw e t he pity , ,
o f Titus m e dit ating at t he h e ad o f his army o v e r d o o m e d

, ,
Je rus al e m
H w b ldl y d th i t f ro nt
o o h w m aj s t i c all y
o us o e
Lik a l x rio s vin y rd t he hill sid

e u u u e a ,
-
e
I h ng wi t h m arb l f ab ri c s lin o line ’

s u e , e er
Whil o v r all h ng s t h ri ch p rpl v

e e a e u e e e,
As c nsci s f it b ing h l ast f are w ll

o ou o s e er e
Of li g ht a d g l o ry t that f t d c i ty
n o a e .
And a , c l ds f b ttl d s t a d sm k
s o ur ou o a e u n o e
A m lt d int o i b h ld t h T e m p l
‘
re e e a r ,
e o e e,
d l n s e r ni ty
’
In un di t b d s ur an o e e
Findi ng it s lf so l mn s anct ary e a e u
I t h p r f nd o f h av n
n e o ou e e
B y H r c l s ! t h sight might alm o st wi

e u e e n
T he ff nd d m aj sty f R o m e t o m r cy
’ 3
o e e e o e .
It w as m o v d by t he pr aye r
e d e m an d— o f d e fi ant H e br e w — a
m aid e ns t o Je ho v ah t o re p e at against ins o l e nt R o m e His

j u dge m e nt up o n Egypt an d he r fur io us King
L rd f ro m t H i cl u d
T he o ou s o ,
T h L rd l k d d o wn p n t he p ro d
’
e o oo u o u
A d t h h s t drav h avil y
n e o e e
D o wn t h d p b o s m f t h s a e ee o o e e .
Wi th a q i ck a d s dd n sw ll u n u e e
P ro t h li q id ram parts f e ll ;
ne e u
Ov e r h rs a d v r ar o e, n o e c ,
Ov r v r y m a f w a
e e e n o r,
Ov r Ph ra h s c r wn f g ld
e a o
’
o o o ,
T h l d thu nd ring b ill ws r ll d

’
e ou e o o .
As t h l e v l w at rs spr ad
e e e e ,
D wn th y s a k the y s a k lik l ad
o e n , n e e ,
D w wi th t a c ry g ro an
o n ou or .
And t he m rni g that sh n o n su n o e

T is H e — t i s H e , t he S o n o f M an pp e aring
’ ’
a
rig t d At
t he h han o f On e
T h d arkn ss f who s thr e e o e one
T hat y d s raph H st b h ld wi th aw a d fe aring

su n - e e e o e o e n .
him t h r ainb w s p ring s

’
O er e o ,
An d s p re ads it m r ld wings s e e a ,
D wn t o t h gl ssy ea hi l fti st s at
o e a hi g a s s o e e o er
’
rc n .
H rk— thund rs f r m hi s thro ne lik ste l c l ad armi s mar c hing

a e o , e e -
e
T h C hri t t h C hrist c o mm ands

e t hi h m
s e us o s o e
J R d m r Lo rd w c m w c m w c m
e su s , e ee e , , e o e, e o e, e o e
6
It w as r e c o gniz e d as a t o u c h o f g e ni u s w h e n t he b e au t e o u s
m artyr in t he ver y e cst asy o f visib l e acc e pt anc e with in t he
,
c e l e sti al h all s m an oe u vr e s t o spar e he r ag e d h e athe n f ath e r

,
t he ag o ny o f s e e ing his d au ght e r s b l o o d

’
A q i c k d s dd n c ry u an u e
Of G lli as a d a p art ing i t he t hr ng

a , n n o
P l im d h f th r s c o ming F rth h sp ra g
roc a
’
er a e
’
. o s e n
A d la p d t h f r o wning he adsm an s kn s an d aid

’ ’
n c s e ee , s
I d b s ch th sl ay m fi rs t a d q i ckly
o e ee ee , e n u
T i t h t m y f athe r may t s e m y d ath

’ 7
s a no e e
Inspir ati o n in d e e d I fo r o n e still f e e l animat e s t he

, ,
e ntir e s u bst anc e o f t he p ai r o f tr ag e d i e s w hich h av e fur
n i s he d m e with my e x a mp l e s A p u b li c s atisfie d t o kn o w .
Mil man fr o m an o cc asi o n al fr agm e nt us e d as a hymn lik e ,
t he f a m o u s f u n e r al ant he m
Br th r th
o t g o ne b f r
e , o u ard t hy s ai t ly s l i s fl o wn e o e u s , an n . ou
Wh r t ars a wi p d f r m v ry y
e e e d s rr w i un kn wn
re e o e e e e , an o o s o -8
miss e s a l arg e p art o f t he e nj o ym e nt incid e nt t o s u ch ve rs e

its e lf w h e n c o nsid e r e d a midst i t s pr o p e r circ u m st anc e s as
, ,
a p l ant in its n ativ e s o i l .
If t he t hird dr a m a B e l sh azz ar is l e ss fin e 1 n t e xtur e an d , , ,
t he m e l o dy t he p at ho s ar e m o r e o f st ag e pr o p e rtie s an d
, , ,
l e ss e vid e nt l y sp o nt an e o u s I attribu t e t he d e c line m ai n l y ,
t o t he subj e ct T he c e ntr e t he piv o t o f t he po e m w as

.
, ,
HE N RY HAR T MILMAN 1 43
n e c e ss ar il y t he wri ting o n t he Pal ac e wall an d with th at -
t he r o m anc e o f t he Je wis h m ai de n B e ni n a has n o d ir e ct , ,
c o nn e xi o n T he y m o ve al o ng d iffe r e nt l in e s whi ch o n l y
.
,
c as u ally inte rs e ct N o thin g c o u l d b e m o re m anif e stl y

.
fo rc e d th an t he fin al gro u ping o f t he mo n ar ch his m o th e r , ,
a n d t he H e br e w f ami l y Wh e n t he Pr o phe t d e ciphe rs t he

.
b l az o ne d s e nt e nc e ho w gl aring again t he d e sc e nt o f t he
,
po e m b e l o w t he l e v el o f t he B ib li c al n ar rative Y e t h e re
t o o t he auth o rship i s int e rn all y c ap ab l e o f i d e ntific ati o n
“
with th at o f t he e ar l i e r d r a m as T he Je wish girl s s o li lo qu y .

’
o n t he sum mit o f t he t o w e r o f B e l is fu ll o f m e l anch o l y
h arm o ny B e l sh azz ar s acc o mp lishm e nt o f his pl e dg e t o

.
’
t he h e r ald o f hi s d o o m is m a r k e d by a S p l e ndi d m ag
n an i mi t y
l d t h H b re w f o r th a ay d
Go — ea e e , rr
’
I t h p r o d r b l t all t h c i ty hail
n e u o e, e e
d f B lshazz ar
’ 9
T h ho e n o ur o e .
W e c atch t he tr u e r o yal r ing b o th in th at an d in t he f alle n

m o n arch s far e we ll t o e mpir e an d lif e
’
.
S o m e e l e m e nt I am c o nsci o us is wanting t o l ift Mil m an s

, ,
’
v e rs e b ac k t o t he r an k whi ch m u ch in it sti ll ch alle nge s .
T he wh o l e gl o ws b u t li k e t he su n in a mist
, W e m iss t he .
r ays whi ch s ho ul d gl anc e hithe r an d t hi the r t he sp o n t a

n e o ns r e fle cti o ns b ac k fro m t he mi nds o f t he re ade rs an d ,
fr o m wi thin t he p o e try its e lf T he wr ite r s th e m e s ar e in .

’
t he ms e l ve s e xal te d an d n o b l e H e w as e qu ipp e d by n at u r e .
a n d e d uc ati o n t o d e v e l o p th e i r l o fty qu ali ti e s Out o f his .
mat e ri al s he c o nst r uct e d in t w o c as e s at l e ast b e autif u l

, ,
e d ific e s . Y e t w e ar e s e nsib l e thr o ugh o ut o f a r adi c al w ant .
He r e an d the r e it is s u pp lie d ; but in ge n e r al w e d o n o t

fe e l th at t o t he s ki lfu l bui l d e r s ar t an d t o a c e rt ain fie r y ’
appr e ci ati o n o f t he qu al iti e s o f t he situ ati o n t he auth o r ,
w as in t he h abit o f addi ng s o m e thi ng o f hi s o w n s o ul He .

d o e s n o t li k e t he gr e at singe rs pr od uc e u p o n m
,
e at all
,
e v e nts t he impr e ssi o n o f h aving p ass e d t he c o nstit u e nts o f
his p o e try t hr o ugh his inne r n atu r e an d h avi ng se t th e m in ,
t he ir pl ac e s b r e athing o f it A p e rc e ptib l e mo n o t o ny in his

.
str ains t e ll s t he s a m e t al e H e stri ke s a singl e k e y c o n

.
t in u ally th o u gh o n e o f d ignity an d p o w e r
,
A pr e d e stin e d .
p o e t m ay pr e fe r a p artic u l ar n o t e he wi ll give signs th at

he has m any at his d isp o s al W ith all th e ir f e e b l e n e ss T he
.
,
Ho urs o f Id l e n e ss in d ic at e d m o r e pr o mi s e th an t he m agn i
fi c e n t Lo rd o f t he B r ight City N e v e rth e l e ss it m ight.
,
h av e b e e n anti cip at e d th at w h at e v e r t he sho rtc o mings o f

,
S amo r at an y r at e t he s ac r e d d r a m a s w o u ld pr actic all y

,
o b l ig e t he ir a uth o r t o b e a p o e t sti ll T he p o e tic v o i d .
a ft e r th e m u n l e ss fo r
,
a fe w hymns an d tr ans l at io ns ,
d uring t wo thir d s o f a l if e time in fl icts a sh o c k as at

-
a su dd e n d ar k n e ss I c an o n l y su r m is e a m e nt al r e
.
v o l u ti o n .
A s imi l ar spir itu al ch ang e drie d up o r s e al e d t he fo u n , ,
t ains o f s o ng i n t wo o th e r m o d e rn s inge rs a s e ni o r an d ,
a j u n i o r far mo r e s u b t l e an d o f wi d e r c o mp ass if n o t o f a
, , ,
str o nge r i nt e ll ig e nc e B o th e ar l y in mi d dl e l ife turne d

.
, ,
fr o m c o nstructi o n t o an al ysis The critic al f ac ul ty in .
Co l e ridge to o k t he sh ap e o f th e o l o gic al m e t aphysics In .
Matth e w A r n o ld it w as a r ag e fo r t he c l e ar anc e o f r u bbish ; -
fo r t he b u s in e ss t o b e und e rst o o d i n a hi gh l y c o mp l i
,
m e nt ary s e ns e o f a mo ral an d l it e rary d u st d e struct o r

,
-
.
It b e c a m e in Mil m an i nqu iry int o t he b as e s o f e cc l e si astic al

hi st o ry Thro u gh o u t t hi s s e c o n d st ag e o f hi s int e ll e ct u al
.
d e ve l o pm e nt he d i d g o o d e v e n gr e at wo r k The r e w as
, , .
c r e at io n as w e ll as d e m o li ti o n H e p u ll e d d o wn th at he
.
m ight bui l d up Y e t s o m e wi ll r e gr e t with m e fo r t he s ak e

.
,
b o th o f p o e try an d o f his f a m e th at t he mo rt ar o f t he
, ,
f o un d at io ns he r e n e w e d had t o b e mix e d with t he l if e b l o o d -

J O H N K E B LE
1 7 9 2— 1 8 66
C A N ON A I N G E R an admirab l e critic o nc e c o mme nte d

, ,
t o m e o n t he c l ai m o f t he wr it e r o f a p o p u l ar hy m n t o
r e sp e ct as a p o e t : Y o u k n o w t he stan d ar d o f p o e tic ,
m e rit in hymns is n o t high Is it n e c e ss ar y t o pl e ad fo r .

’
s aint l y Ke b le s p o e tic titl e as it w e r e i n fo r ma p aup e r i s ?

’
, ,
H e w r o t e in d e e d o th e r v e rs e s o m e o f i t o f w o rth ; fo r
, , ,
e x a mp l e a d e l ightf u l appe al o f wi ld fl o w e rs t o t he l o rd o f
,
t he m an o r t o sp ar e f ro m his high f ar mi ng
S had y sp o ts a d no o ks wh r w n , e e e
Y t may fl o rish s af a d f re e
e u , e n
l
.
B u t as a wh o l e it is inc o nsi d e r ab l e
, , an d by his hy mns he
m u st vi rtually b e j u dge d W ith o u t g o in g th e re fo re o utsid e

.
, ,
T he Chri sti an Ye ar an d Lyr a I n n o c e n t iu m I am g l ad fo r ,
m y o wn s ak e t o b e ab l e fr o m th e m t o ans w er my qu e stio n
l i mit e d as it is in t he n e gative I fin d ge nuin e p o e tic
,
— .
s e nsibi l ity in a fair pr o p o rti o n o f th e i r c o nt e nts T e n de r .
n e ss symp athy j u dge me nt an d de li c acy aspir atio n s afte r

, , , ,
t he n o b l e an d sub l im e ar e th e r e Eve ry wh e re I o bs e r ve
, .
a f e e li ng fo r b e auty a sinc e r e l o ng ing t o un d e rst an d an d

,
i nt e r pr e t N atur e .
Eve ry o n e has fe l t t he s we e tn e ss o f s o m e fi v e o r six st anz as

o f t he Ev e ning H y m n in T he Christi an Y e ar Occ asi o n al .
T h o u ghts o n c hi l d r e n s t r o ub l e s in t he Lyr a I n n o c e n t iu m
’
al mo st m atch th e m W ith e qu al intuiti o n an d affe cti o n

2
.
at e n e ss Ke b l e dr aw s h appy l e ss o ns f r o m sic kn e ss t he ,
h e art s s e lf d o ubtings mo ur ni ng an d d e ath At time s n o t

’
-
, , .
,
JOHN KE B LE 1 47
o fte n he n e ars su bl imity ; as wh e n he i m ag ine s Chr is t s

,
’
Passi o n in t he G ar d e n o f G e ths e m an e 3
wh e n he fo llo w s
t he spirit o f t he Cr uc ifi e d
A t l rge amo ng t h d ad a e e
4
o r , as by t he S avio u r s si d e mus e s o n t he l o n e up l an d ab o ve
’
,
t he w at e rs o f G e nn e s ar e t .
H e is n e v e rth e l e ss m o r e at h o me w h e r e he h abit u all y

dwe l t th at is a mid sc e n e s o f n atu r al gr ac e an d b e au ty
, .
T he y m ake fo r him fitting fr a m e wo r k fo r e ve r y w o r d o f

P r o ph e t an d Evange l ist H e had sat at W o r d s wo rth s .
’
f e e t an d l e arnt t o r e giste r e ach

,
s ft to u ch invisi ble
o ,
5
by which N at u r e n e wl y b o rn at e ve ry succ e ssive s u nris e

,
.
,
wo rk s he r wo nd e rs H e c o u ld h ave wr itte n a m o n o gr aph o n

.
t h s ft g r n will w s p ring ing

e o ee o
W he r t h w t rs g ntly p ss
e e a e e a ,
E ve ry w ay h f r arms flinging er ee
O e t h m is t a d r d y g r ss
’
r e 6
o n ee a
an d v o l um e s o n t he flo we rs o f t he fi e l d
S w t n rsl ing f t h v rn l ski s
ee u s o e e a e ,
B at h d i s ft airs d f d wi t h d
’
n o , an e ew
Wh t m o r than m ag ic i y li s
a e n ou e ,
T fill t he h art s f nd vi w
’
o e o e
R e lic s d n s b w rs
y e ar e of E e
’
o e ,
As p re a f rag rant d a f ir
u , s , an s a ,
As wh n y e o w d t he s nshin ho rs
e cr n
’
u e u
Of happy wand r rs th r e e e e .
7
Mo u nt ains in p artic u l ar he l o ve d fo r th e ir
, ,
c o mp ani o nship as b e de e m e d with He ave n

, ,
Wh re i t hy fav d h nt e t rnal Vo ic
e s o ur
’
au , e e,
T he r g i n o f T hy c h i c e
e o o ,
K 2
Wh r u di tu b d by i a d e ar th t h s l
e e, n s r
’
s n n , e ou
Owns T hy ntire c ntr l e o o
t h m un t ain s s mm it d ark a d hi g h
’ ’
Ti s on e o u n ,
Wh n st rms a h rrying by
e o re u
T is mid t he st ro ng f nd at i o ns f t he e arth
’ ’
ou o ,
W he r t o rre nts hav th ir b irth

e e e .
N o s o unds f w o rldl y t il as c nding t he r

o o e e,
M a t h f ll b u rst o f p r ay e r
r e u
Lo ne N at re f ls that he may f re ly b r athe

u ee s e e ,
And r o nd s a d b n ath u u n e e
A h ard he s ac re d t ne s
re e t h fi t f l swe e p
r o e u
Of wi nds a c r ss t he s te e p o ,
Thro gh wit h d b nts— r m antic n te a d c l ar

u er
’
e o o n e ,
M e t fo a h rmi t s a
e r e
’
e r,
T he whee ling ki t e s wild so li t ary c ry

’
,
And s c ar c ly h ard o high

_
, e e s ,
T h d ashin g w at rs wh n t h ai is s till
e e e e r
F r m m ny a t rr nt rill
o a o e
T hat winds se n b n ath t h shaggy f ll un e e e e e ,
T a k d by t h b l mis t w ll
’
r c e ue e
S ch s nds a m ake de p sil nc i t he he art

u ou s e e e n
F Tho ght t o d o h p ar t
or u er .
8
F o r hi m e ach d ay m arsh al s a triumph al p ag e ant ,
d awn with its e ve ry d e wy sp ar k j e w e llin g l e af an d b l o sso m
—
, ,
t o t he gl o r y o f t he c l o u d s a b o ut t he s e tting sun To a .
c e rt ain e xte nt tho u gh in ge n e ral it m u st he c o n f e ss e d , , ,
he d o e s vio l e nc e t o hi s o wn s we e t n atur e in d o g m atizi ng t o

t he yo ung — he e v e n c o ns e nts t o vi e w t he fl u sh o f sp ringt ide ,
t he g ar l an d s o f M ay t hr o ugh a child s e ye s
’
9
, .
N o w an d th e n fo r mo m e nts he act u all y s e e ms th o ugh

, , ,
in a hymn al t o f o rg e t hym n o l o gy an d t o b e unc o nsc io u s

, ,
o f a ll but N atur e s an d Mu sic s m agi c

’ ’
T is misty all b o th sight a d s o d

’
, n un
I o nl y kn w t i f a ir a d sw t ’
o s n ee
T i wand ring o n encha te d g ro u nd

’
s e n
Wit di zzy b ro w an d t o tte ring f e e t

h °
.
1
all, fo r ve rs e as He rb e rt s Cr ashaw s V augh an s
r e li i
’ ’ ’
'
s
g o u , , , ,
H e rrick s it is t he br e ath o f life In Ke ble s it is n e ve r

’
,
.
’
m o r e th an an acc ide nt H e t he d e vo ute st o f m e n t he .

, ,
m o st e m o ti o n al t he l e ast wo rldly a N ath ani e l with o ut

, ,
g u il e o n l y by fits an d st arts b l az e s into fl am e fr o m his

,
o w n s o v e r e ign th e m e .
I f e e l him w hile he d iv e r sifi e s an d p o lish e s his r hyth m

,
'
d ri ll s his t o pics v e rifi e s his all usi o ns c o rr e cts his p u n c t u a

, ,
ti o n t o b e always o n t he w atch against hims e l f H e is

, .
g u ar ding ag ainst e xpl o si o ns o f e nthusi asm w hich wo u ld ,
h av e s we pt away his e xc e ss o f e l ab o rati o n an d t he p r o .

,
lix it y f at al t o in an y a fi n e th o ught In m o de sty an d .
shyn e ss l i k e t o H e rb e r t Cr ash aw Vaugh an he w as u nl ik e , , , ,
th e m n o t o f th o s e w ho invit e o r su ffe r t he w o rld t o c o unt

,
th e ir h e art b e ats H e has s u ng -

.
A d w ll it i f n s G d sho ld f l
e s or u our o u ee
Al n r s c r t t hr o bb i ng pray r
_
o e ou e e s so o u r e
M y r adi r s p ring t o H v
a e sp nd it z e al
e ea en , nor e s
O c l d b r id l n f this l w r ai
ou -
o n o s o o e r .
12
T he r u l e is true fo r w o rshippe rs ; n o t fo r t he p o e t w ho
wr it e s o f th e m and hims e l f It is fr o m th o s e d e e p t hr o b
’
bings s e cr e t e xc e pt fo r v e rs e th at e ss e nti al p o e t ry is
, ,
disti ll e d Po e try d e m ands t he s acrific e o f t he p rivacy o f

.
s o u l s A p o e t t o aspir e t o t he p e ak s m ust b e inc ap ab l e

.
,
i
,
o f w ith ho l ding t he b e st a n d d e ar e st in his n at u r e Ke b le .

,
if so m ad e as t o h av e d ar e d th u s t o s u ffe r his spirit t o t ak e

”
fi r e at all e v e nts d i d n o t le t it
, A lways he r e s e rve d s o m e .
t hi ng fr Om t he furn ac e H e c o nst ant l y w as p o inting o u t .
ho w Chr i sti ans he w ith t he r e st o u ght t o thin k o f E arth

, ,
an d H e av en r ath e r th an ho w he hims e l f in f act th o ught

,
.
N ot h aving fas t e ne d his s o u l t o t he st ak e he is n o t o f t he ,
inn e r circl e in p o e tr y Wh e the r had he sub mi tt e d hims e l f .

, ,
he w o u ld h aveb e e n, w ho c an t e ll ?
JOHN KE B LE 15 1
T he Chr isti Y r T h g ht i V r f t h S d y d Ho lid y

an ea . ou s n e se or e un a s an a s
t h gh t t h Y r F rty thi d d Oxf rd J h H n ry P ark r

rou ou e ea . o - r e . o : o n e e ,
1 85 3 .Lyr I ti ma Oxf rd J h H y P rk r 1 846

n n o ce n u . o o n enr a e , .
Mi c ll
s e o P m by t h R J h K b l Oxf rd a d L do
an e us oe s, e ev . o n e e. o n on n
J m P rk r 85 C 1 869
a es a e o .
, .
1
P ti t i t t h L d f t h M r f M d
e on o e f An m or Orc hio e an o o er on o e one, s,
Vi l t D ff d il C w lip
o e , a o d P rim l (Mi c ll
, o P m)s , an u a s e an e o u s oe s .
A Si t r d Fir (Lyr I t i m C hildr T r bl s )

’
1
s e , an e a n n o ce n u , en s ou e .
3
M d y b f
on E t r t 8 (Chri ti
a e o re Y r) as e , s . s an ea .
E t rE as e t 2 ve , s .
5
M r i g t 1
o n n , s .
11
Fir t S d y Aft r E pipha y t 4
s un a e n , s .
7
Fift th S d y Aft r T ri ity t z 1 —2
een un a e n , s an as
11
T w ti th Sen d y Aft r T ri ity t z a 1 3
e un a e n , s an s -
M y G rla d (Lyra I t i m C hild r Sp rt )

'
’
9
a a n s n n o ce n u , en s o s .
1° F rth S d y i Adv t t 5 (Chri ti Y r )

ou un a n en , s . s an ea .
F rth S d ay i L t t z 2 4 5
ou un n en , s an as , ,
T w ty f rth S
en d y Af t r T ri ity t 3
-
ou un a e n , s . .
J O H N H E N R Y N E WM A N
1 801 — 1 89 0
O X F OR D l o gic an d m e t aphys ics an d Engl ish Chur ch ,
l e th argy c o st l ite ratur e a gre at p o e t an d g aine d fo r it ,
a gr e at p o e m Dr N e w m an s e ar li e r pr o d u cti o ns sh o w e d
’
. .
m o r e o f pr o mis e th an p e rfo r manc e The first in t he c o lle c

.
ti o n o f 1 868 is s e p ar at e d fr o m T he Dre a m o f G e r o n t iu s ‘
d at e d Januar y 1 865 w hich cl o s e s t he v o l um e by a sp ac e

, ,
o f fo rty ye ars N at u r all y t he c o nte nts m ight b e e xp e ct e d

.
t o d iffe r w id e l y i n ch ar act e r
«
As n atu r ally it might b e
.
s u pp o s e d that t he e arli e r w o u ld h ave m o r e o f f ancy an d

e nth u si asm . On t he c o ntrary t he wr ite r is m o re s e l f
,
r e strain e d l e ss m an i fe stl y f u ll o f o ri gin al id e as at t he

, ,
c o m me nc e m e nt o f his p o e tic al c ar e e r th an at its e n d .
Whi l e as y e t unc er tain o f his the o l o gic al p o siti o n d o u bting ,
his o ld vi e w s al arm e d by t he f ascin ati o ns o f t he n e w he

, ,
c ur b e d his i m agin ati o n Wh e n he had fo u nd p e ac e at l ast

.
,
if n o t N i r van a s atisfacti o n at t he s e ns e o f fin ali ty burst

,
int o an a m azing an a m az e d e cst asy w hich tr ansm u t e d

, ,
a l ak e o f fi r e int o a b e d o f r o s e s .
N o t th at t he h u n dr e d an d f o r ty thr e e p o c in s w hich -
pr e c e de t he Dr e a m ar e with o ut distinct ch arms o f th e ir

o wn . Th e y ar e d e vo u t with a m o d e sty an d g o o d t aste
,
w hich hymn o l o gy o ft e n l ac k s Fr e qu e ntl y the ir spir it

.
ris e s so high th at t he re ade r o f th e m f e e l s a sh o c k w h e n

s u dd e n ly it s e e ms t o dr o o p an d sink Th e ir fau l t is a .
r e pr e ssi o n r athe r th an an inc ap abi l ity o f p assi o n at e n e ss

, ,
a d e t e r m in ati o n t o m ak e p o e try a pr o p e rty o f r e l igi o n an d

,
n o t r e l igi o n subj e ct m att e r o f p o e try

-
Co mp ar e th e m with.
his t e n de r B irth d ay Off e ring o n t he gr av e o f his y o ung
siste r
L v li st m k t bl ith t kind st !
o e e , ee es , es , e
L ad w s k t h h m th fi d t
e e ee e o e ou n es
Th gh t hy n m t u m t d ar
ou a e o s os e ,
G o w w ld n o t hav th h r
e ou e ee e e.
L ad a g iding b ac o b right
e ,
u e n
T t rav ll rs
o t he E e o f Li g ht
e on ve .
W l c o m ay t hy St ar b f r
e e e e o e u s,
Bri g it g ri f gl adn e ss o r s ;
n e or
’
e u
K n r g r t a d t arf ul y arning
ee e e n e e ,
While s nf l t a d W hil s r tu rning

u e , n e e
O m r g rac io s tho u ght s b iding

r o e u a ,
F v r q e lling so rr w chidi ng
e e -
u , o -
O wh n d ay li ght b l e ssing s f ail

r, e -
Transp rt f r sh a spi c f rau ght g al

o e s e- e,
Sp arks f ro m th whi ch ft hav light d ee o e e
W ary h art a d ho p b e night d

e e n e e .
I this m n m t w ld r ais o u en ou e,
Di t ant f r m t h p b li c g az
s o e u e .
F w will — kne w th ; ’
e it f w se e e e er ee
B t t h i b at i g h art s p rs the
’
u e r e n e u ue e,
A d th ir y s f nd tho ghts b e t k e n
n e e e o u o ,
Th gh t hy am b s ld m sp k n
ou n e e e o o e .
Pass strang r a d de spis it

on , e , n e
Th s will r ad a d the s will p ri z it

e e e , n e e .
2
The m e rits o f such ch arming things h av e I c an b u t ,
supp o s e b e e n s m o th e r e d u nd e r t he n e ighb o ur ing pi l e o f

,
v e rs e pr e ss e d int o s e rvic e as a v e hic l e o f r e l igi o u s musings ,
o ft e n m o m e nt o u s y e t n o t p
, o e try In o th e r c as e s t he .
infu si o n o f mi lit an t d o gm a m ay h av e d e n i e d p o pu l ar
a cc e pt anc e t o pi e c e s o th e r w is e f u ll y e ntit l e d t o it M ar k .
,
fo r e x a mp l e t he l ight t o uch in t he M o nth o f M ary

,
T h g r n g re e n g rass t h g li tt ring g r v
e ee , e e o e,
T h h av n s m aj st i c d m
’
e e e e o e,
T h y im ag f r th a te nd r r b we r
e e o e e o ,
A m re r e f l g nt h m o u e o e
JOH N HE N RY N E WM AN 15 5
T h y t ll u f th t P radis
e e s o a a e
Of v rl s ting r s t e e a e ,
And th t high Tr all fl w rs d f rui ta ee , o e an ,
T h sw t s t y t t h b t e ee e , e e es .
0 M ry p r a d b a t i f u l
a ,
u e n e u ,
T h ar t t h Q n f M y ou e ue e o a
O g arl ands w r ab t t hy hair

ur ea ou ,
A d th y will n rd c y ’
3
n e e e e a .
br ight if m o r e c o mb ative is t he Pi l gr im Que e n

, ,
Th re at a Lady all t h g ro und

e s on e ,
R ay s f t h m o rning c ircl d h r o und

o e e er .
S av th a d b ail t th G raci o s a d F air

e ee n o ee , u n ,
I t he c hill t wilight wh t w o ldst th u th re

n a u o e
H r I it d s l at sw tly s id she
e e s e o e,
’
ee a ,
T h gh I m q n a d m y nam e i Mari
ou
’
a ue e , n s e
R bb rs h v rifl d my g ard n a d st o r
o e a e e e n e,
F th y h v st l n my h ir f ro m m y b o w r
oes e a e o e e e .
Th y s id th y c ld k p H im fa b tte r than I
e a e ou ee r e ,
I a p al c all H i p l nt d d p a d r ais d high

n a e s, a e ee n e .
’
Tw s p l ac o f i hard a d c o ld a w r th y
a a a e ce , n s e e e ,
A d wh n s mm r c am e it all m l t d aw ay
n e u e , e e .
N xt w ld th y b ar t r H im H im t h S p r m
e ou e e , e u e e,
F or t h s p i c o f t h d s rt a d g ld f t h s t r am ;
e e e e e , n o o e e
A d m th y b id w and r in w d a d al n
n e e e ee s n o e,
I this g r e n m rry l and whi ch o nc w a m y w

n e e e s o n .
A m me nt h said a d t h d ad shall r vi ve
o ,
’
s e , n e e e
T h gi nt s a e f iling t h S aint s
e a ali v e
r a , e ar e
I m c ming t r s c
a o m y h m a d m y re ign o e ue o e n ,
A d P t r a d Phili p a c l o i m y t rain
’ 4
n e e n re se n .
An d he had in d ic at e d a gift fo r l o fti e r str ains ,
c o ntr o ve rsi al fo r instanc e in R e frige rium ,
Th y at r e t e ar e s
Th fi e h ee at n t all b l t a d s t ain
r as e ou o n ,
A d c o nv al s c nt t h y nj o y a b l s t
n , e e , e e e
R f r shm nt aft e r p ain e e e
Th s t o t h E d i E d n s gr t s th y li
u , e n , n e
’
o e e,
And he ar t h f u rf ld riv r as it hu rrie s by e o o e , .

The y h ar it swe e p e
fl
I dist anc d wn t h d ark a d s av ag g l e n
n e o e n e
S af f r m i t s r cky b d a d c u rr n t d p
e o o e , n e ee ,
And e ddying p o ls t ill th n ; o , e
Th y h ar a d m kly m s a f ain t o kno w

e e , n ee u e, s
H w l ng nt ir d u n sp e nt that gi ant s t r a m shall

o o u e ,
w ,
e o .
And s o o thi g s o ds n un
Bl end wi th t he ne i ghb o rin g wate rs as the y glide u
Po ste d alo g t h haunte d gard n s b nds

n e e
’
ou
Ang li c f o rms ab id e e,
E ch i g a w o rds f w atc h lawn an d gr o v e ’

o n , s o , o er ,
T h v rse s f that hym n whi ch S rap hs chant ab o v e

e e o e .
5
Y e t ag ain an d th e r e i s t he i m m o rt al P i ll ar o f t he C l o u d
b e tte r k n o wn by its st t r w r d s with w hich he

fir h e e o —
might h av e b e e n th o u ght t o r e ach hi s high w ate r m ar k as -
a po e t In hym n o l o gy in d e e d he n e ve r e xc e e de d that
.
, ,
sw e e t s ad cry fr o m h e art t o h e arts fo r l ight t o l e ad a mid

t he g l o o m fo r as a hym n it is unsu rp ass ab l e
, F ro m t he ,
.
first l in e t o t he l ast w h e n ,
t h ni ght i s g o n e e
A d wi th t he m m th s ang e l f ac e s smil
n o o e e
Whi ch I h v l v d l g sinc e a d l st awhil

a e o e on , n o e
6
it might u n l e ss fo r wh at w as t o f o ll o w h ave b e e n he ld t o
, ,
b e as p o e tic all y l o v e l y as v e rs e c an b e with o ut c e as ing t o

b e p raye r .
B u t t hirty ye ars l at e r he acc o mp l ish e d r e su l ts in p o e try

whi c h t he P ill ar o f t he Cl o u d its e lf c ann o t pr e te n d t o riv al .
Co nsi de r t he abs o rpti o n o f p assi o n int o pie ty t he e xto rti o n ,
o f t he c o ns e nt o f an int e ll e ct as s e arc hi ng as V o l t air e s t o

’
an abj u r a ti o n o f all spi ri tu al fr e e d o m t he r e nunci ati o n ,
of j o y pity b e au ty
, ,W atch t he e r e cti o n o n f o un dati o ns
.
,
thu s r e m o rs e l e ssl y l ai d o f a pi l e o f sub l i m e st f ancy The n

, .
s ay ho w w h e n an d w he r e l it e r atur e has o n l i k e l in e s e v e r
, ,
m atch e d t he Dr e am o f Ge r o n t iu s In it N e w m an c o njur e s
w t t sl p a d w I m e f h d
I en o ee n no a r re s
’
,
A tr ng r fr shm nt f I f l i m
s a e e e e or ee n e
A i xp r 11 iv lig htn s a d a ns
ne e ss e es , n se e
Of f r d m I w r at l ngt h m y s lf
ee o ,
as e e e e ,
And n r had b b f r H w still i t i

e e
’
een e o e . o s
Am I aliv o d ad I am o t d ad e r e n e ,
B t i t h b d y still
u n f I p o ss s e o or e s
A so rt f c fi d nc whi ch clings t o me o on e e, ,
Th t ach p arti cu l ar o rg an ho lds it s pl ac

a e e
As h re t f o r c o mb i ing wi th t he re t
e o e, n s
Int symm try that wr p s me r nd

o one e , a ou ,
And m ak s m ma a d s r ly I c o ld m o v e e n n u e u e,
D id I b t will i t v ry p ar t o f m u , e e e.
O I i t i r hing
r or t h wing s s us on e
Of light o li ghtning n an nw ard c rse r o o ou ,
A d w n ow a milli n mil s ap art

e e en n
’
re o e .
Y t — i this p r m pto ry s v r anc

e s e e e e e
Wr ght t i l ngthe ning m e asu r me nt s f sp ac e

ou ou n e e o ,
Which gr w a d mu l tiply by sp e d a d time o n e n
O m I t r av e rsing infini ty
r a
B y ndl ss s b divi si n hu rrying b ac k

e e u o ,
F r m finite t wards infinit simal

o o e ,
Th s dying t o f t h xp and d w rld

u ou e e e o
3
Thr o ugh o u t his j o u rne yi ng he h e ars v o ic e s his c o nvo yi ng

ang e l s
’
Oh what a he art s b d ing m l d y ,

-
u u e o
Th e n t he sulle n h o wl o f d e m o ns o utsi de t he Ju d ge me nt
,
Co urt s w arming
, ,
H ng ry a d wild t c l im th ir p r pe rty
u n , o a e o ,
And g ath r s ls fo he ll e ou r
an d ag ain t he s o ng o f
, ,
te nd e r b in gs ang lic al e e ,
L a t an d m o s t c hildlik e o f t h s o ns o f G o d
'
e s e
“
li ke t he ru shing f t he w ind o
T h s mm e r wind— am o ng t h l fty p ine s

e u e o
S w lling an d dying ch ing r und ab o t

e , e o o u ,
N w h r n o w dist nt wild a d b autif l

o e e, a , n e u
While at t e d f ro m t he b ranche s it has st ir d

'
’ ’
, sc r r ,
D e sc end e cstati c o d o urs ;

JOHN HE N RY N EWM AN 159
wit h , a ll t he ti m e ,
but t hi n an d lo w , an d f ainte r an d m o re
f aint
t he v ic e
f ri nds ar und t h b d
o of e o e e ,
W ho say t h S u b v e it wi th t he p ri st
e n e e .
9
Abs o l ute r e st d e l ight e m ancip ati o n y e t t he wh o l e

, ,
thrill e d wi th a l o nging fo r ago ny o f p ain t o b e fi t t e d by

fir e t o abi d e h e r e aft e r in t he Divin e P r e s e nc e if b u t
—
,
e r e I p l n g d amid t he av e ng i g fl m e
u e n a ,
I had o n e sig ht o f H im t o stre ngthe n me .
An d in a m o m e nt an d fo r a m o m e nt his wi sh gr ant e d
fl
, ,
— at t he c o st o f l ying b e fo r e t he T hr o n e sc o rch e d an d ,
sh rive ll e d by
t he k e e n s ancti ty ,
W hi ch wi th it s e f u e lik a gl o ry clo the s

,
enc ,
e ,
And c ircl e s ro nd t he Cr u cifie d ! u

10
It is a g ain o f m e asu r e l e ss c o nte nt so o nl y th at his o r d e al ,
b e c o mp l e t e d as he pr ays t o t he f u ll
, ,
T ak e m e away a d in t he l o we st de e p , n
T he re le t me b e ,
A d the re i n ho p e t he l o ne nig ht watc he s k e e p

n -
,
To ld o u t fo r m e .
T he re m o tio nl e ss a d happy in my pain

, n ,
Lo ne n o t f o rl o rn , ,
The re will I sing m y sad pe rp t al strain e u ,
Until t he m o rn .
The re will I sing a d s o o the my stri ck e n b re ast , n ,
Whi ch ne r c a c e ase ’
e n
T o thr o b a d pine an d l ang u ish till po sse st

, n , ,
Of i t s S o l e P e ac e .
The re will I sing my ab se nt Lo rd a d Lo v e n
Tak e me away ,
That so o ne r I may rise a d go ab o ve , n ,
And se e H im i n t he t ru th o f e ve rl asting d ay 11
.
T he wh o l e hi gh str ange argum e nt , , fo r its m e taphysic al

d e xte rity an d d e pth is wo rthy o f Lucr e tiu s h o ld ing a v e r y
,
di ffe r e nt b ri e f B u t m o st o f all le t u s b e gr ate fu l fo r

.
, ,
a gr and dithyr a mb w o rthy al s o o f t he gr e at R o m an

, ,
which au tho riz e s an inscripti o n o n t he r o ll o f B ritish

p o e ts o f t he illustri o us n a m e o f Jo hn He nry N e w m an as ,
much t o the ir h o n o ur in t he c o mp anio nshi p as t o his

Ve r se s on Va ri o us O cc asio n s (J . H . Lo n d on : B r
u n s, Oa t es
Co .
, 1 868 .
1
T r fi g r ti N 5 1
an s u a on , o . .
2
E p ip h y E anA Birthd y Off ri g N 1 4
ve : a e n , o .
5
Th M eth f M ry N 1 5 0
on o a , o . .
4
T h P ilgri m Q
e N 1 49 ue e n , o . .
5
R frig ri m N 1 1 1
e e u , o . .
5
T h Pill r f t h Cl d (L d K i d ly Light ) N
e a o e 81 J
ou ea n , o. , un e 1 6, 1 833
7
T h Dr m f G r t i
e ea J ry 1 865 N 1 66
o e on n e, an u a , o . .
8
I b id . I b id 9
.
1 °
I b id I bid 11
.
u p o n pi e c e s whic h it wo u ld b e i mp o ssib l e t o o m it with o ut
t he cr e ati o n o f a p ainf u l visib l e gap in l it e ratur e
,
.
T he S o ng o f t he S hir t is in p o ss e ssi o n o f a nich e w hi ch

c o u ld n o t o th e rwi s e b e fi lle d
Oh b t t o b r ath t h b r ath
u e e e e
Of t h c wsli p a d p rimr o se sw t
e o n ee
With t h sk y ab o ve m y h ad e e ,
And t he g rass b n ath m y f t e e ee .
F or on ly o sh rt h r ne o ou
T o f e l a I u se d t f l
e s o ee ,
B fo r I kn w t h w s f want
e e e e oe o
And t h walk that c sts a m a l

e o e
Oh b t f u sho rt h r or one ou
A r spit h w v r b ri f
e e o e e e
N b l ss d l is r f
o e e L v r Ho p e u e or o e o e ,
B t o nl y t im f
u G ri f e or e
A littl w ping w ld ase m y h rt

e ee ou e ea ,
B t i th ir b riny b d
u n e e
My t ars m st st p f v ry dr p
e u o , or e e o
Hind rs n dl a d thr ad
e ee e n e
1
A s e c o nd w o u l d st and p ai nf u ll y e mpty w it ho u t t o o cc u py ,
it he Dr e a m o f Euge n e A ra m
, t — t he w h o l e d o w n t o t he ,
abr u pt sh u d d e r ing c l o s e
Th t v ry night whil g ntl sle p

a e , e e e e
T he r chi n y lids ki d
’
u e e- ss ,
T w st rn f ac d m
o e s t
-
t f r m Lyn
e en e ou o n ,
Thr gh t h c ld a d h avy mist

ou e o n e
And E g n Aram walk d b tw n

u e e
’
e ee ,
With gyve s p o n hi wrist u s

?
Y e t an o th e r p l ac e he has p e rm an e nt l y appr o pri at e d by

hi s hau nt ing H aunt e d H o us e — mur de r h aunt e d — with i t s -
rus t y st ains,
Ob c r ly p tt d t o t h d o r a d thenc
s u e s o e e o , n e
With m zy d o b le s t o t h grat d c ase me n t

a u e e
Oh wh t a t l th y t ld f f ar inte nse
a a e e o o e ,
Of ho rr r a d am az m e nt
o n e
THOMAS HOOD 1 63
W h t hum n cr atur in t h d ad f nig ht

a a e e e e o
H d c o u rs d lik hun te d h r t h t c r l di t c I
“
a e e a e a ue s an e
H d s g ht t he d o r t h wind w i his fli g ht
a ou o , e o , n ,
Strivi g fo de ar xist nc e ?
n r e e
3
I d o n o t c l ai m o n his b e h alf a mo no po l y o f c apacity fo r

m e asuri ng ag ainst o n e an o the r t he p o we rs o f E ar th an d
He ll ; b u t I kn o w o f n o n e but B ur ns who e qu als hi m in
t he r e c o ncil i ati o n fo r t he p u rp o s e o f t he tr agic an d t he
, ,
c o mi c Mar k t he tr o o ping o f m o nste rs t o ave nge t he attac k

.
o f t he B r o c k e n f o rg e m e n u p o n H e ll s l o r d
’
Awf l c v y s f t rri bl thin g s

u o e o e e ,
Wi th f rke d t ng e s a d v no m s stin g s
o o u n e ou ,
O hagw e d b ro mst i cks a d l ath rn wi ng s

n e , o , n e e ,
A h v ring r o un d t h H t
re o e e u
S hap s that within t h f cu s b right

e , e o
Of t h F rg a lik e shad o ws
e o e ,
d b l ts re an o
B t f rth r o ff i t h
u ,
a e had s o f night, n e s e ,
C l th d wi th th ir o wn pho spho ri c light

o e e ,
A e s n i t h d ark st s p t s
r ee n e e o .
S nds th t fill t h ai wi th n is s
ou a e r o e ,
Strang a d in d s c ri b ab l v ic e s
e n e e o ,
Fr m H ag s i di ab li c al c latte r
o , n a o
C ts that spi t c rs s d p s that c hatt r

a u e , an a e e
Sc r ps f c ab li ti c al m atte r
a o a s
Owls th t s c r ch a d d o g s that y ll
a ee , n e
S k l to n ho un ds th t wi ll n v r b f att r
e e a e e e e
All t h do m sti c tri b s o f H ll

e e e e ,
S hri ki g f fl sh t o t ar a d tatte r
e n or e e n ,
B n s t shatt r o e o e ,
A d lim b s t s c atte rn o ,
And w ho i t i that m st f rnish t h l att r

s u u e e
T ho s b l l o king m k o w w ll
e ue -
o en n e
4
As I kn o w o f fe w thi ngs i n p o e try m o r e gr o t e sque l y t e rr i b l e

t h an t he burning o f S at an t o a cind e r so I fe e l t he s ingu l arity ,
o f H o o d s gif t fo r e l ic i t in g t he p o e try o f e ve ryd ay lif e

’
Ho w .
d ainty is t he p ath o s e mp l o ye d o n a c o m mo n d e at h b e d -
L 2
W e b re athi g thr o
w at c h d he r
’
n
’
t he night ,
H e b r athi g o ft a d lo w
r e n s n ,
As i he b r a t t he w av
n f li f
r e s e o e
K pt h avi g t a d f
e e n o n ro .
So il nt ly w
s m d t s p ak
e e se e
’
o e ,
S sl o wl y m o v d b t
o e a ou ,
As w had l nt h half o u p o w rs
e e er r e
T k e he li ving
o e t r ou .
Ou r ve ry ho p e s b e lie d o u r f e ars ,
Ou r f e ars o u ho p e s b e li e d r
W e t ho u ght h dying whe n she sl e pt er ,
And sl e e ping whe n she die d .
Fo r wh n t h m rn c ame di m a d ad
e e o n s ,
A d c hill wi th arl y sho w rs

n e e ,
Her q i t y lids c l se d— she had

u e e e o
A th r m rn th n r
no e o a ou s .
5
Pe rf e ct e v e ry l in e W e o we m o r e gr atitu d e fo r this inv e sti

.
t u r e o f simpl e d e at h s u c h as it is n o t b e yo nd t he l e ast o f
—
u s t o aspir e t o — wi t h a q u i e t b e au ty th an fo r dithyr a mbs ,
o v e r a C o nq u e r o r s bi e r T hat ind e e d is am o ng Ho o d s
’ ’
.
m e rits whic h he s har e s with t he princ e s o f s o ng th at

, , ,
t ho u gh he c an ris e t o t he h e ights he s e e s t he b e auty o f ,
pl ain things A chi l d s e mbr ac e o f its m o the r is as o rdi n ary

.
’
as d yi ng an d s e e ho w much it t o o sugg e sts t o hi m
L v t hy m th r littl eo
o e o e , ne
Kiss a d cl asp h n c k again

n er e
H r ft r h m y hav e a
e ea e s e a so n
Will kiss a d cl asp h n ck i v ai n er e n n .
Lo v t hy m o th r littl
e e , e on e
G a z e u p o n h r l iv i g e y e s e n ,
And mirr o r b ack he l o ve fo the e r r
H r aft e r tho u m ay st sh dde r sighs

e e
’
u
T m e t the m wh n t h y c a no t se e
o e e e n .
G az e u p o n h livi g ye s ! er n e
I t w as childi sh i gno ranc e
a ,
B u t no w t is li ttl e j
’
oy
T o kno w I m f ar th r o ff f ro m
’
he av
’
e n
Than whe n I w as a b o y .
7
Al r e ad yI h ave instanc e d e n o ugh ad mir ab l e v e rs e t o

m ak e a r e put ati o n ; an d ho w m u ch I h av e o mitte d ! B u t ,
a t all e v e nts I m u st n o t p ass by R u th as she st ands

, ,
b re ast high amid t h c o rn e ,
Cla p d by t he g o ld e n lig ht o f m o rn
’
s ,
Lik t he swe the art o f t h

e e e su n ,
W ho m any a g l o wing kiss had w on

3
or f air Ine s , w ho has

g o ne into t he W e st ,
T o d azz l e whe n t he su n i s d o wn ,
And r o b t he wo rld o f r e st ;
fl
She t o o k o u r d ay light wi th he r ,
T he smil e s t hat w e l o v e b e s t ,
Wi th m o rnin g b lu she s o he che e k n r
And p e arls u p o n he b re ast r

9
or t he all
-
su ic i e n t l o v e s o ng -
I l o v e the e — I l o v e the e
T i all that I c an s ay
’
s
I t i s m y vi i o n i n t he nig ht
s ,
My dr aming i t he d ay
e n :
T h v e r y e c ho o f m y he ar t
e ,
T he b l s ing whe n I p ray

e s
I l o v e the e — I l o v e the e
I s all that I c an say .

10
Eve r y wh e r e sti ll thr o ugh o u t t he t w o sist e r vo l um e s

, ,
t he r e ade r is sur e t o c o m e u p o n lin e s p hr as e s w hic h wi ll , ,
n o t c o ns e nt t o b e f o rg o tt e n Eve n in t hat u gl i e st o f p o e ms
.
with gr e atn e ss in t he m T he L ast M an which f ascin ate s

, ,
witho u t de li ghting th e r e is a r e d e e mi ng sp ar k o f p ath o s

,
t he c o n f e ssi o n o f l o n e l in e ss by t he s ur viv o r o f h u m an k in d
. ,
THOMAS HOOD 1 67
a h ang man w ho t o b e s o l e h e ir o f t he e arth had just

, , ,
str ung up his s o l it ary c o mpani o n a b e ggar m an ,
I f t h v ri s t w ld li ck my h nd
e e e cu r ou a ,
I c ld l v it lik a c hild !
ou o e e
11
So ag ain t he h u m o ur o f t he t al e o f Miss Ki lman se gg

, ,
l e ave s sp ac e fo r a gri m indivi d u al pitif u l n e ss

G ld still g o ld hard y llo w a d c o ld
o , , e , n
F o g o ld she had liv d

r d h di d f g ld ! e , an s e e or o
12
At an y inst ant a fig u r e s u d d e nl y wi ll start fo rth with an ,
app e al t o t he h e art at o nc e e ntir e l y n at u r al an d e nt i r e l y

,
o rigi n al t he o u tc ast o n t he riv e r b ank in gl aring Lo n do n

, , ,
with its c l o the d fe d an d sh e lte re d mi ll i o ns as

, , ,
She s to o d wi th am z m nt , a e e
H s l ss by night ; ou e e
13
t he sw ar m w ait ing fo r t he C asu al W ar d t o o p e n ; s e mp

str e ss artis an wh o l e f ami li e s
, ,
F th r m th r a d c ar f l child
a e , o e , n e u
Lo king a if it had ne v r smile d ;

o s e
14
Lyc u s t he c e nt au r th at had b e e n m an whe n t he n u s u s

, ,
e c t in g b o y ins ul ts hi s s ha m e at his b e sti al sh ap e with

p
a handf ul o f gr ass an d in ang e r at its r e j e cti o n p e l ts hi m
, , ,
with sto ne s
.
I f l t o t wh se f t e n , o a e
W t m t m o r dist r ss i hi l v th n his hat e ;

as o ee e e n s o e a
15
t he fish e rm an i n hi s st o rm t o st b o at o n t he le e sh o r e - -
Oh G d t o t hink M v r , o an e e
C m s t o n r hi H m ! o e o ea s o e
15
an d t he h a r d t ri e d p o e t hi ms e l f wit h his bi rth d ay wi sh fo r

-
,
his d au ght e r o f ,
all t h bli s that l if nd rs e s e e ea ,
N t wi th t smil o no y t f r m te ars ou e s, r e o
T strictly k pt oo e .
17
1 68 FIVE CE N TURIES or E N GLISH VERSE
N o n e has ve r m o r e e ntir e l y p o ss e ss e d t he s e cr e t o f
e
su dde n asc e nts su dd e n h e art kin d l ings In s o m e s o rt all -

.
t he S e ri o us P o e ms ar e e x a mp l e s ; but w e n e v e r c an t e ll
w h e n H o o d may n o t m o v e t o t e ar s in a pi e c e wh e r e t he
m o m e nt b e fo r e he had b e e n j e sting
Th r i o m si c i t h l if
e e s n u n e e
That s o unds with idi o t l ght r s o l ly au e e
Th re s n t a string att ne d t o mir th

e
’
o u ,
B t has it s c ho rd i Me l anc h l y
u n o .
18
D o ubtl e ss in c o mpe ns atio n afte r t he m ann e r o f p o e ts

, , ,
with r are e xc e pti o ns s u ch as Ke ats an d Gr ay he sink s

, ,
n o w an d ag ain is e cc e ntric with o u t b e ing o ri gin al t e d i o us ,
with o ut b e ing s o l e mn H e c an w e ar a s e ntim e nt thr e ad

.
b ar e as in T he L ady s Dr e a m an d T he Lay o f t he L ab o u r e r
,
’
, .
His e nd l e ss f anci e s c an c l o y tho ugh in s u ch a g ar d e n o f ,
d ainty d e vic e s as T he Pl e a o f t he Midsu m m e r F airi e s .
H e c an b e th o u gh v e ry s e l d o m m e r e l y d u ll as in T he
.
, , ,
T w o P e ac o c k s o f B e d f o nt H e c an sm o th e r H e ll e nic r o s e s
.
,
a s in H e r o an d L e and e r in a thic k e t h o w e v e r fr agr ant

, , ,
o f m e d i ae v al e mb e ll ishm e nts H e c an c all a p a mph l e t an

.
Od e as his e pis tl e t o R ae Wi l s o n an d sp o i l a ch ar ming

, ,
s o nn e t with a p o o r p u n B u t m e as u r e t he g o o d against
.
t he i ll ; an d t he f ai l u r e s ar e n o w h e r e As a b o y I h e ar d .
n o thing o f H o o d as a p o e t m u ch o f hi m as a h u m o rist , .
T he S o ng o f t he Shi rt s u rpris e d my l itt l e w o r l d wi th o u t ‘
p e rs u ad ing it th at it had t o w o rship a p o e t t he m o r e .
D u ring my und e rgr adu at e d ays I first l e arnt t o appr e ci ate

hi s p o e try ; an d I h av e r e ad an d a d mir e d it e v e r sinc e .
N o t t he l e ss w h e n r e c e nt l y I s u r v e ye d it as a w h o l e I st o o d
, ,
a m az e d T he m e l o d y t he t e nd e rn e ss an d symp athy t he
.
, , ,
f ancy I find in e xhaustib l e Ab o v e all is t he un e xp e ct e d

, .
,
n e ss Wh e n I h av e b e l i e ve d I had e xpl o re d all t he singe r s

.
’
E L l Z A B E T H B ARR E TT B R O W N I N G
1 8 0 —
6 1 86 1
OF t he k ind t he f o r e m o st wri t e r o f English p o e try but —
a p o e t e ss . Or sh all I ch anging o n e wo r d say — an d a

, ,
p o e t e ss F o r with b e au ty e v e ryw h e r e an d w o m anli n e ss

, ,
a s u biq u it o us I d o n o t pr e sum e t o d e cid e o n t he in d e

,
p e n d e n ce o n e o f t h e o th e r W o m e n w rit e.rs n o w a n d th e n -
,
l i k e G e o rg e S and an d G e o rge E li o t if n o t Curr e r B e ll , ,
h ave diss e mb l e d th e ir s e x Ei t h e r th e y h ave disd ain e d .
all o w anc e s fo r it o r t he y h av e d istr u st e d t he sup e ri o ri t y
o f t he o t he r t o pr e j u dic e Mrs B r o wni ng had n o n e o f th at

. .
aff e ct ati o n , o r appr e he nsi o n On t he c o ntr ary she m ay .

,
b e s ai d t o h av e gl o ri e d in b e ing a wo m an .
In an y c as e he r v e rs e wo u l d h av e pr o c l aim e d t he f act .
N o n e b u t a w o m an — o r p e rh aps a w o m an i m m u r e d fo r
a l a rg e p rt oa f he l if e in t w o r o o ms c o u ld h av e i m agin e d
r —
t he r e p u l s e o f a l o v e r b e l o v e d as in Insu ffici e ncy an d t he 1

, ,
m artyr s cry o f D e ni al
’
I l o v th
e n o t I d ar e n o t l o v e t he e
ee , go
I n il e nc e ; dr o p m y hand
s .
I f t ho u s e e k r o s s s e e k th m whe re the y b l w
e , e o
I g ard e n all ys n o t i d se r t s and

n -
e , n e .
Ca l if a d d ath ag re e
n e n e ,
That tho u sho u ldst st o o p t hy s o ng t o my c o m pl ain t ?

I c anno t l o v e th e I f t he w o rd is f aint
e .
,
Lo o k i n my f ac e an d se e ?
T he sp l e ndid u nr e as o n o f D u c he ss M ay t he s e lf d e v o ti o n t o ,
-
d e ath o f t he Cr u s ad e r s brid e p ag e an d t he s we e t abs ur ditie s

’
-
, ,
n o t t o b e r e ad by an m a l p rs n w i t h ut a b l ush o f
y e e o o ,
ELIZA B ETH B ARRETT B RO W N IN G 171
Lad y G e r aldin e ar e all fe minine So is t he c o n flict w ith

, .
,
its r e s u l t b e twe e n t he e g o tism o f Is o b e l s m ate rnal l o ve

,
’
a n d he r sic k c hi l d s cr aving fo r his h o m e w ith t he Ang e l s

’
.
T he gri e f o f t he d e ad bl in d b o y s m o th e r t hat she c an b e

’
,
n o m o r e his sun an d m o o n ,an d his s l av e b e tr ays t he s a m e ,
au th o r s hi p . Path o s a c o m m o n gift o f p o e ts is fo r he r
, ,
st e e p e d in he r fe mininity Into t he d umb affe cti o n o f he r

.
d o g t hi s r e ad s t he inst inct t he i mp u l se t o sh ar e his mistr e ss s

’
, ,
distre ss with o ut r e quiri ng t o c o mpr e h e n d o r j u stify it

,
And if o o t w qui ck t ars ne r o e
D r pp d u p o n his gl o ssy ars

o e e ,
O a sigh c am e d o b l
r u e,
Up h sp rang i e ag r hast
e n e ,
e,
Fawning f ndling b re athing f ast , o , ,
I a t nd e r t r b l
n e ou e .
3
In Wine o f Cypr u s n o b l e st t o m e o f all he r v e rs e I f e e l

, , , ,
it e qu all y in t he a ffe ctio n at e e n de avo ur t o b al anc e as it ,
we r e by he r o wn w asting sic kn e ss t he e arl i e r an d di ffe r e nt

,
c al ami ty o f he r age d tu to r in Gr e e k F o nd l y as she .

,
t hank s hi m fo r his gif t o f He ll e nic win e she r e c all s th e ir ,
stu di e s t o ge th e r in Attic tr age d y

An d I think o f tho s l o ng m o rning s e
Whi ch m y tho u ght g o e s far t o se e k ,
W he n b e twi xt t h f o lio s tu rning s

, e
’
,
S o l mn fl o we d t he rhythmi c G r e k
e e
Past t h pan t h m o unt ai spre ading

e e e n ,
S w pt t he sh e p s b e ll s tin kling no is
e e
’ ’
e,
Whil e a girlish v o ic e w as re ading ,
S o m e what lo w fo ai a d o is r s n .
Th n what g ld n ho rs w r f
e , o e u e e o r us
W hil w s te t g th r th r
e e a o e e e e,
H w t he whi te v sts f t h c h
o s e o e o ru
S me d to wav p a l ive ai
ee e u r
H o w t hec o thu rns tr d m aj ti c o es
D o wn t he d e e p i am bi c line s ,
And t he r lli g anap ae sti c o n
C rl d like v ap o u r o ve r shrine s
u e
As l s
Oh o u r e chy u , t he t hu
,
nd r s e ou ,
H o w hedr l d r
o v e t he b o t e b e ath
T r l d wd
h o u gh t he c o u , t o nd r s
e g e it p o e ou
I t h gnarl ed
n k b n th
e oa e ea
Oh ,
S p h c l s t h r y al
o ur o o e ,
e o ,
W h w b r t m nar c h s pl ac
o as o n o o
’
e,
And w ho m ad t h wh l w rld l y l e e o e o o a ,
L ss by ki gly p o w r than g rac

e n e e
Ou r E uri pid s t h h m an e , e u ,
With hi dr pping s f warm t ars s o o e ,
A d hi t o c h s f thing s c mm n
n s u e o o o ,
Till th y r s t t ch t h sph re s
e o e o ou e e
O urTh o c rit s o Bio n e u , ur ,
A d o u Pi nd ar s shi ni ng g o als
’
n r
Th s w r p b r rs ndyi g
e e e e cu -
ea e u n ,
Of t h win th t m ant fo s ls ’
e e a s e r ou .
And my Pl at t h di vin o o , e e ne,
If m kn w t h g ds aright
en o e o
B y th ir m ti s th y shine
e o on as e on
With a gl ri s tr ail f light o ou o
And y r n bl C hristian b ish ps

ou o e o ,
W ho m th d g randl y t h l a t G r k
ou e e s ee
T h gh t h s p ng s th ir hyss p s
ou e o e on e o
W r di t nt wi th win — t w ak
e e s e e oo e .
Fo r r st my ti c m aning
t he e — a s o
K pt Ca andr t t h g te
e ss a a e a ,
With wild y s t h visi n sho n i e e e o e n ,
A d wid no st rils s c nti g f at

n e e n e .
A d Pr m th s b o nd i p si n
n o e eu ,
u n as o
B y b r t F r c t t h b li d st n
u e o e o e n o e,
S ho w d l ks f i v c atio n
e us oo o n o
T rn d t c e an a d t h su
u e o o n e n .
174 FIVE CE N TURIES OF E N G LISH VERSE
And I i g i g l u d a d tru
am s n n o n e,
A d w et — I do
n s e t f ail ,
no .
sI i t u p n a cyp r s bo gh es ou
C lo s t t h gate a d I fli g my s o ng
e o e , n n
Ov r t he g te a d thr gh t he mail
e a n ou
Of t he w ard e n ang e ls m arshall e d st r o n g ,
Ove r t he g ate a d aft r y o u n e
And t h w rd n a g ls l t it p ss
e a e n e e a ,
B c a s th p o r b ro wn b ird al as
e u e e o , ,
S i g s i t h g ard n sw e t a d tr
n n
'
e e , e n ue .
And I b ilt my o ng o f hi gh p r no t s
u s u e e ,
N o t aft r no t he i ght o v e r h i ght

e e e, e ,
Till I strik t h ar ch o f t h In fini t e e e e,
An d I b rid g e aby sm al ag o ni s e
With str ng c l ar c lms f harmo ni s

o , e a o e ,
And s o m thing ab id s a d s m e thi g flo ats

e e , n o n ,
nI t he s ng whi c h I i g aft e r y o
o s n u.
F ar y w ll f ar w ll
e e e ,
e e
5
s u ppl i e s e the r e al tints t o a Po rtr ait

I will p aint he a I h r s se e er,
T tim s hav t h lili s bl o wn

en e e e e ,
S inc h l o k d p n t h
e s e o e u o e su n .
A d h f ac i lily c l ar
n er e s -
e ,
Lily sh p e d a d d pp d i d ty
- a , n ro e n u
T t h law o f i t s o wn b
o e ty e au .
Oval ch ks nc l r d faintly
ee e o ou e ,
Whi ch a trail f g ld n h ir o o e a
K p s f r m fadin g ff t o ai
ee o o r
An d a f r h ad f ir a d s aint l y
o e e a n ,
W hi ch t w bl y s u nde rshine o ue e e ,
Lik m e k p ray rs b f o re a shrine

e e e e .
Fac a d figu re f a child

e n o ,
Th u ght t o c alm y think a d t nd r

o o , ou , n e e ,
F t h childho o d y u w o ld l nd he r
or e o u e .
Y t c hild sim p l u d fil d
e ,
-
e, n e e ,
F ra k b di nt waiti g still
n , o e e , n
O t he t rning s o f y u r will
n u o .
ELIZA B ETH B ARRET T B ROW N I N G 1 75
po t kne w h
An d if an y e er,
H w ld si g f h wi th f lls
e ou n o er a
U d in l v e ly m adrig ls se o a .
And if an y painte r dr w h e er,
H e w o u ld p aint h r u naw are e
With a hal o ro nd t he hair u .

“
It g athe rs fl o we ring fr o m t he grav e o f Co wp e r a r e e an t a

, ,
tio n o f his d e sp ai r
Lik e a sick child that kno we th n o t his m o the r while sh ble sse s e
An d dro p s u p o n his b u rning b ro w t he c o o lne ss o f he r kisse s ,
That tu rn s his f e v e re d ye s aro und My m o the r ! whe re s m y

e
’
m o the r
As if su ch te nd r wo rds an d de e ds c o ul d o m e fro m any o the r
e c
T he f e v e r g o ne wi th l ap s o f he ar t he se s he b nding o e r him
’
, e e r e ,
H e f ac e all p al e f ro m w atchf u l l o ve t he nw e ary l o v e she b o re

r ,
u
hi m
T h s w k t h p t f ro m t he dr am hi lif s l g f v r g ave him
u o e e oe e s e
’
on e e ,
B ne ath tho s d p p ath ti c E y s whi ch cl o s d i d ath t o s av him

e e ee e e e n e e .
7
.
Happi l y t he l ight o f t he t o mb w as n o t n e e d e d t o r e ve al t o
h e rs e lf th at jo y m ay b e n e ighb o u r t o affl icti o n
I th g ht nc ho w T h c ri t s had s ng
ou o e eo u u
Of t h sw t y ars t h d r a d wishe d f
e ee e y ars , e ea n -
or e ,
W h ac h
o e i g r ci s h nd pp ars
on e n a a ou a a e
T b ar a g ift f
o e m rt als ld o y o ung or o , o r
And a I m s d it i hi nti q to ngu

s u e n s a ue e,
I aw i gr ad al visi n thro gh m y t ars

s n u o u e ,
T he swe t sad y ars t h m l nc h l y y ars

e e ,
e e a o e ,
Th s f m y o w lif who by t rns had fl ng

o e o n e, u u
A had w ac ro ss me Str ightw y I w a war

s o . a a s
’
e,
S w ping h w a m yst i c S h p di d m v
o ee , o a e o e
B hi d m a d dr w me b ackw ard by t h ha r
e n e, n e e i
And a v i c said i m ste ry whil I stro v

o e n a , e e,
G ss w wh ho lds th
ue no D th I said B t the r
o ee ea ,
’
, u , e,
T h sil v r answ r rang N t D e th b t L v

’ 8
e e e , o a ,
u o e.
If she e ve r we ari e d o f lif e it w as r e st t o t he b o dy that she ,
cr ave d n o t t o t he s o u l
,
F rie nds d e ar f rie nds whe n it shall b
, , e
That this lo w b re ath i s g ne f ro m m o e,
A d r o u nd my b ie r y e c m t w p
n o e o ee ,
L t On m st l o ving o f y o u all
e e , o ,
N t a t ar m u s t f all ’
S ay ,
h
o e o er er
H g iv e t h H is b e l o v ed s l e e p 1
e ,
9
N o t aft e r all th at r e p o s e an d a cqu ie sc e nc e o f an y s o r t

, ,
we r e t he qu aliti e s o f he r pr e di le cti o n On t he c o ntr ary .

,
he r f av o urit e m e nt al attit u d e is o n e o f s o m e t hing she

fe igns t o b e re b e lli o u s wrath She is inc e ns e d with he r .
f ath e r l an d fo r its tr e atm e nt o f t he C aptive N ap o l e o n who , ,
t ru sting t o hi no b l st f o s s e e ,
W he n e arth w a all t o o g re y fo chivalry s r ,
Die d o f th ir m e rc i s m id t h de s rt s a
e e
’
e e e
with t he wo r l d fo r its acc e pt anc e o f t he phras e Lo ve d ,
Onc e as if it w e r e p o ssib l e t o hav e l o v e d an d c e as e t o

,
’
,
l o ve !
L v strik e s b u t o n e o r L v e T ho se ne v e r l o v d
o e h u — o e
W ho dre am that t he y l o v e d Onc e

11
wi t h t he m ad fo ll y as we ll as g u i lt o f sinn e rs o f he r o wn
, ,
se x,
in e xp e cting fr o m t he ir p ar tn e rs in e vi l — c o m m o n l y
—
t e mpte rs t he l e ast fid e lity t o t he l o v e the y h av e t aint e d .
Go she cri e s t o t he p o o r w r e t ch she is c o nfe ss ing
Tho u hast cho se n t he Hu m an a d l e ft t he Divin , n e
The n at le ast hav e t he H u m an share d with the e t he ir wild b e rry

, , .
w ine
H ave the y l o ve d b ack t hy lo v a d whe n strange rs app ro ache d e, n
the e wi th b l am e ,
H av e the y c o v e re d t hy f au l t with the ir kisse s an d l o ve d the e t he ,
s am e
B u t she shru nk an d s aid ,
G o d o v e r m y he ad , ,
M st swe e p i n t he wr ath f H is j u dg e m e nt se as
u o -
,
I f H e shall d al wi th me si ning b t o nl y ind e e d t he s am e

e n , u
And n o ge ntle r than the se .

’ 12
s e al ing he r t o mb An ae r ial c o nc e rt ; an d n o t t he l e ss
f ascin ating fo r r e ade rs wi th a t aste fo r str ain s pur e l y
spiritu al th at the y ar e as l ittl e b o un d t o s atisfy t he p o pul ar
m al e e ar as wh e n an u n d e rgr ad u at e o f Oxfo rd I h e ar d o n e
, ,
de stin e d t o ru l e it r e u se t he Uni o n t o fr antic app l aus e

by j e e ring at t he l o ve l i e st o f t he l o v e l y w h o l e .
P oe ms by El i z b th B rr tt Br w i g
a e a e o n n . Th r ee vl
o s . Ch p m
a an
H ll
a , 1 864 .
1
I n su ffi ie n c cy .
5
AD il en a , st . 2 .
3
To Fl u s h, my D o g , st . 2 .
4
W in e of Cypr u s, s an t z as 9 , 1 0, 1 1 , 1 2 , 1 3 , 1 4 , 1 5 , 4 .
5
A Dr m f E xil a a o e .
A P rtr it t z 1 —6 d 1 3 —1 4
o a , s an as an .
7
C wp r G r v t z 9 —1 0
o e
’
s a e , s an as .
5
S t fr m t h P rt g
onn e s S oti e o u u e se , onne .
T h Sl p t 9
e ee , s . .
Cr w d d B ri d t 1 3
o ne an u e , s . .
L v d O c
o et 8 n e, s . .
C f i t 9
o n e ss o n s, s . .
C H A R LE S K I N G S L E Y
1 8 1 9 — 1 87 5
A N O T H E R e x a mpl e a m o ng m any o f t he c o n flict fo r

, ,
e xist e nc e o f f a c u l ti e s fitt e d fo r an al o g o u s p u rs u its N at u r e .
e quipp e d Char l e s Kingsl e y w ith t he r aw m ate ri al in ,
v arying pr o p o rti o ns o f t he f o rc e s which m ak e a p o e t

, ,
a n o v e l ist a s o ci a l r e f o rm e r a stu d e nt o f sci e nc e a t he o lo

, , ,
gi an a hist o r ian Fr o m t he first th e y c o mp e te d fo r p o ss e s

,
.
si o n o f him With t he p o we rf u l aid o f yo u th po e t ry s e iz e d

.
o n t he l e ad e rship L ate r o n with its o w n c o ns e nt m o n archy

.
, ,
w as ab o l is he d A c o m m o nwe al th in which e ach d id w h at

.
,
s e e m e d go o d in its o w n e ye s t o o k its pl ac e T he m an , .
b e ing s u ch as he w as an d his p o e t ic al gift what it w as

, ,
I d o n o t s u pp o s e th at l it e r atur e e v e n p o e try its e lf has , ,
l o st gr e atl y by t he r e vo l u ti o n His ch ar act e r w as th at o f

.
a c o mb at ant H e had a c e r t ain n u mb e r o f s o ngs in him

.
t o sing ; s o m any arr o w s o f v e rs e in his q u iv e r Fo rth

—
.
he s ho t hitting t he m ar k n o w an d ag ain
, Wh e n t he arch e r .
f o u n d his quive r e mp t y he dr e w s wo rd o r d agge r r o m anc e

, ,
e ss a y l e ct u r e
, s e r m o n — an d b attl e d as m anf u ll y as e ve r
, .
I se e n o gr o und fo r b e l i e f t hat l ik e s o m e he c e as e d ve rs ify

, ,
ing by c o mp u l sio n o f a m o r e m aste rf u l p assi o n o f his s o u l ,
o r o u t o f in d o l e nc e s ati e ty o r inc ap acity m e nt a l o r m o r al

, , , .
Simpl y t he o n e spe ci al w e apo n had d o n e its w o r k an d he

e xc hang e d i t fo r a n o th e r I am gr at e f u l in t he c ir c u m
.
st anc e s fo r t he fact H e d o e s n o t c all u p in me an id e a

.
o f inc al c u l ab l e p o ssibi l iti e s o f p o e tic al insp ir ati o n I t is .
w e ll th at he sh o u l d n o t h ave d e l u de d hims e lf into im agining

d e sce nts o f t he spir it wh e n the r e w e r e n o n e .
M 2
T he uts e t o f his p o e tic al c ar e e r w as at o nc e dis app o int ing
o
an d pr o mising His S aint s T rage dy i s str o ng in t he wr o ng’

.
pl ac e s I mys e l f am s e nsib l e o f ang e r rath e r th an symp at hy

. .
I k e e p w o nd e ring ho w m u ch m o r e o f p assmn at e r e as o n
ab l e n e ss R o b e rt B r o wn i ng fo r inst anc e might n o t h av e , ,
insti ll e d int o t he h apl e ss s l av e o f he r o wn an d he r t e ach e r s ’
f an aticism It i s a f ail u r e if a bri l liant o n e S u ch t o o

.
,
.
,
I m u st o n t he s ame gr o un d o f a n e gl e ct o f pr o p o rti o n
, ,
j u dge An dro m e d a t o b e T he pictu r e o f t he gir l w h e n he r.

,
mo e th r l e av e s h e r o n t h e r o c k — as n o m o th e r c o nc e iv ab l y
c o ul d h av e l e ft a chi ld m ake s t he he art ach e as t he p o e t

—
,
inte nd e d it sh o u ld
Watc hing t h p l f the a d i d o wn a h w di d wi th th m
e u se o e rs e , s er o n e e ,
T rl e ss du m b with maz h st d
ea ,
a e s e oo ,
h l p l ss a d h p l ss e e n o e e ,
Wid y d d wnward g zi g i v in at t h b l ack b l a k d arkn s

e e
-
e , o a n n a e n es .
1
B ut she l m o st d is app e ars in an ass e mb l ag e o f fi n e sc e n e s

a
d e scrib e d in r o lling m u s ic al h e x a m e t e rs , The b ac k gr o un d .
is t o o e ngr o ssing fo r t he acti o n an d t he ch ar act e rs T he .
a cc e ss o ri e s d aw n li t high l ands g a mb o lling s e a nymphs

-
'
-
, , ,
t he ch arms o f t he g o ld e n h air e d iv o r y l imb e d D e li v e r e r -

,
-
,
Athe n e s gr aci o us wisd o m ar e f u ll y an d me l o d io u s l y se t

’
,
fo rth ; o n l y t he fat e f u l c o mb at its e l f with t he r e scu e is , ,
dis mi ss e d in thr e e c as u al l in e s As an o spr e y o n a d o l phin .
Thu s f e ll t he b o y o n t he b e as t thu s ro ll e d u p t he b e ast in his ho rro r ,
Onc e as t he de ad ye s glare d into his ; the n his side s de ath

,
e ,
shar pe ne d ,
Stiffe ne d a d sto o d b ro wn r o ck in t he wash o f t h wande ring

n , , e
w at e r .
2
N e ithe r o f t he t w ow o r k s w as t he fr u it o f r aw yo uth Th e y .
ar e th e i r au t ho r s o n l y p o e ms o f l e ngth an d n e ith e r has

’
l ife in it A t t he s am e tim e e ach has abun d anc e o f th o u ght

.
an d f ancy an d e ach giv e s t o k e n o f s o m e thing b e tt e r .

Kings l e y s r e ad e rs ar e n e v e r w i t ho u t a c o nsci o u sn e ss o f
’
a c all t o a r ms o f t he stir o f a st o r my e m o ti o n which ha s _
s e t i m agin a t i o n at w o r k I t vibr at e s in t he O u tl aw s ’
.
d e fi anc e o f l aw s f o rbi dd ing hi m t o
h nt G o d s c att l p n G d s ai hills ’ ’
u e u o o n
in his c o nte mpt fo r t he c e rt ainty o f a n o o s e in t he e n d ;

an d in his pr a ye r t o his m o th e r t o st e al his b o d y fr o m the
gibb e t
A d wh n I am t a n a d ha git mi t h r b ri ttling o my d r ’
n e e n n , e , a ee ,
Y ll o l ave yo r b airn t o t h c o rb i c r aws t o d ng l i t h ai

e
’
n e u e e , a e n e r
B t y e ll s e nd u p m y t wa d o u c b r thre n a d y ll st al me f r ae t h
’ ’
u e e , n e e e
tr ee ,
And b ry me p o t h b r o wn b ro wn m irs wh r e I ay l o e d t b
u u n e u , e e o o e .
5
It inspi re d A Christm as C ar o l wi th its gl e a ms an d sh ad o w s ,
al i k e
I w t ighi g p ast t h C h r c h c r ss t h m rl nd dr ry
en s n e u a o e oo a ea
Oh n v r i a d w a t a d w
e e thi e rth will l v
s n n n n oe s a ea e,
An d t h b lls b t m k t h w ailing r und th y sing o c h ry

’
e e u oc e o , e s ee .
T h n ar s j yo s cl am r f r m t h wild f wl t h m r
e o e a o u ou o e o on e e e,
B ath t h st ars ac r ss t h sn w lik cl ar b lls ri ging

en e e , o e o , e e e n ,
A d a v o i c wi thi c ri d
n List n C hristm as c ar ls v n h re
e n e e o e e e
T h gh t h b e d u m b y e t
ou th ir wo rk t h stars a d s o ws a e
ou , o er
’
e e n n r
si ging n .
’
Ev e n t he d e sp air
Airl y B e ac o n has a fr e sh o f m o v e m e nt
as o f hi ll t o p air a b o u t it
-
Airly B ac n Airly B ac n e o , e o
Oh t h p l as a t sig ht t e e n o se e
S hir s a d t wns f r m Airly B ac e n o o e on ,
W hil m y l v c lim b d p t m e o e e u o e
Airly B ac oAirly B ac n ;
e n ,
e o
Oh t h happy h rs w l y e ou e a
D p i f rn o Airly B ac
ee n e n e on ,
C rti g thr gh t h s mm r s
ou n ou e u e
’
d ay
CHARLES K I N G S LE Y 1 83
Airly B c n Airly B e ac n ea o , o
Oh t h w ar y haun t fo m e e r e,
All al n o Airly B ac o n o e n e ,
With hi b by my kn s a on ee
7
I m u st ad d th o u gh o f a g u sty fr e e d o m t o o re b e ll io u s
ag ainst law an d o r d e r t o b e a c k n o wl e dg e d l at e r o n by a
Chur ch dignit ary t he t al e o f t he S wan n e c k s r e c o gnitio n

,
-
’
— ho p e l e ss e v e n fo r a m o the r — o f t he b o d y o f Ki ng H ar o l d
,
stripp e d an d gashe d an d fe atur e l e ss

, ,
Up d sp k t h S wa
an c k high
a e e n -n e ,
G t all y o r t ha s l t c r y
o o u ne e
H w I l v d hi m b s t f ll
o o e e o a ,
I wh m m his l m an c all
o en e
B tt r k w hi b dy f air
e e ne s o
Than t h m the r whi ch hi m b ar

e o e .
’
R sin g e rn a d sall o w g l d
ou e n e e,
R i g g r y w lf o ff his f d
o us n e o ee
Ove r f rankl in arl a d than , e , n e,
H ap s f m o th r nak d slai
e o e -
e n ,
R nd t h
ou d fi ld t r cing sl o w
e re e a ,
St p d that S wan n c k whit as sno w ;

oo e -
e e
N v r b l sh d o t rn d w ay
e e u e n r u e a ,
Till sh f o und him whe re h lay

e e
C li pt him i h armé s f ir n er a ,
Wrapt him i h y ll w h ir n er e o a ,
B r him f ro m t h b attl st d
o e e e- ea ,
Saw him laid in p all o f l ad e ,
To k h t o mi nst r high
o er a e ,
F o E arl H ar ld s s l t
’
“
r o ou o cr
y .
T he m e r it its e l f o f th e s e pi e c e s an d o f o th e rs th e ir ,
e q u al s
, o r all b u t e q u al s is o f a k ind t o s u gge st that
,
t he w rit e r had r e ach e d t he l i mits o f his p o w e rs H e migh t .
hav e b e e n e xp e ct e d t o p r o d uc e m o r e o f c o rr e sp o nd ing b ut ,
sc arc e l y high e r r ank A p he no m e no n as in c e rtain o th e r

, .
,
po e tic al c ar e e rs is th at fro m t he s am e pe n wi t hin b r ie f

, ,
‘
if an y p o sitive inte r val s we find issuing thre e p o e ms ide al

, , , ,
pe rfe ct Exc e pt fo r t he vari e tie s o f sad n e ss o r su ffe r in g t he y
.
,
'
ar e w ho ll y d iff e r e nt y e t e a ch is c o m p l e t e c o ns u m m at e , .
R e a d a h u ndr e d t im e s The S ands o f D e e ; an d th e r e

is n e ve r a s e ns e o f trit e ne ss T he w h o l e is o n e l o ng dr aw n .
-
m u sic al n o t so b b u t sigh
, ,
O Mary go a d c all t h c attl ho m

, n e e e,
And c all t h c attl h m e e o e,
An d c all t he c att l h m e o e
A c r ss t h S ands f D o e o ee .
’
T h w st rn wind w a wild a d d a k wi th f am
e e e s n n o ,
And all al n we nt sh o e e .
T h w st rn t id c r pt p al
e e e g t h sand e e u on e ,
And d t h s and
’
o e r an o er
’
e ,
And r o un d a d r nd t h s and n ou e ,
As fa a y c ld r s e e ou se e .
T h r lling mist c am d wn
e o d hid t h l and e o an e
And ne v r ho m c am h e e e s e .
Oh i it w d o fi h o fl ating hair
s ee , r s , r o
A t r ss o f g ld n h ir e o e a ,
A dro wn ed m aid n s hair e

’
A b o v t h n ts at e e e se a
W a n v r s lm n y t t h t sh
s e e a s o f ir o e a on e a
Am o g t h s tak s D n e e on ee .
’
Th y r w d h i ac r ss t h r lling f m
e o e er n o e o oa ,
T h c r l c rawli g f m e ue n oa ,
T h c r l h ng ry f m e ue u oa ,
T h g rav b sid t h s a ;
o er e e e e e
B t s till t he b at m n h ar h c ll t h c ttl
u o e e er a e a e ho m e
A c r ss t h S and f D o e s o ee .
9
I c ann o t pr e t e n d that t he s e c o nd T he Thr e e Fishe rs , ,
vi e s w i t h th at in abs o l u t e b e au ty I t d o e s n o t c arry .
a b o u t i t t he s am e atm o sph e r e t he s am e s e ns ati o n o f ,
u nd e fin e d p o ssibi l i t i e s t he s a m e abs e n ce o f a n in t nti n

y , e o
in t he p o e t t o p o int a m o r al t o d o m o r e than t e ll a s t o ry , .
Stripp e d an d sc o urge d , s he j c l t s in
e a u a e , ho rr o r an d
sh am e at t he r e c o ll e cti o n , to he r h u sb an d
An d y e t n o rthq ak c am t swall w m
ea u e e o o e
W il
h e all t he c r t ar nd a d wall a d r fsou ou ,
n s, n oo ,
A d ll t h
n a art h d ai w r f ll f y s
e e an r e e u o e e ,
E y s y s whi c h s c r ch d m y lim b s lik b rning fl am

e , e e ,
o e e u e,
Until m y b rain se m d b rsting f r m m y b r w e e u o o
And y e t o e arthq ak c am And th n I kn w

n u e e e e
This b o dy was t y o u rs al n b t G d s no o e, u o
’
H i l an— H n d d i t
s o a d aft r t h t
e ee e n e a
T h w rs t w
e c m a d a y t o rt r m o r
o as o e, n n u e e
A ch ng — a light ni g
a e e n
eve n crucifixio n its e lf — fo r th at w as by he r bri d e gr o o m s ’
sid e
c rawl e d t o y o I u,
An d kisse d y o u r b l e e ding f e t a d c all e d al o d e , n u
Y o u he ard m Y o u kno w all e I am at p e a c e .
Pe ac e p e ac a still a d b right as i s t he m o o n
,
e, s n
Upo n y o u r limb s c am o m e at y o r smil , e n u e,
And ke pt me happy wh n the y dragg d me b ack ,

e e
F ro m that l a t kiss a d sp re ad m e o n t he c r o ss
s , n ,
And b o u d m y wrists
n an d anc l s D o n o t si gh
e —
I p ray e d an d b o r it
,
a d sin c the y raise d m u p
e n e e ,
My e y s hav e ne v r l e ft yo u r f ac e m y o wn my o wn
e e , , ,
N r will t ill d e ath c o m e s

o ,
Her one d e sir e he r pr aye r t o G o d is th at st re ngth m ay

, , ,
b e sp ar e d t he gibb e t e d pr e ach e r t o cry fr o m t he v e ry

“
cr o ss :
W rds which may w ak t h d ad
o e e e
a eg s to co m e ,
she pr e dicts t he y w o u l d k n o w
, his wo rth
And c r wn him m arty r
o d hi nam will ri g an s e n
Thr gh all t h sh r s f arth a d ll t he tars

ou e o e o e , n a s
Wh y a sparkling thr gh th ir t rs t
o se e es re ou e ea o se e
H i t r i m ph— Pre ac h r ! Mar ty r — Ah —

s u a d m e n e ?
CHARLES KI N GSLEY 1 87
t y m u st c o u ple my p o o r am wi th hi
I f he n e s,
L t t h m t e ll all t he tru th— s ay ho w I l o v d hi m

e e e ,
A d t ri e d t o d amn hi m by that l o v
n Oh Lo rd e
R e t rni g g o o d fo e vil a d wa t his

u n r n s
T he p ay m e nt I d e se rv e d fo s u c h a s i r n
T o ha g he re o m y c r s a d l o o k at him
n n o s, n ,
Until w e k e e l b f o r T hy thr o ne i he av e
n e e n n
11
Engl ish p o e try fr o m Chau c e r t o T e nnys o n has b e e n

, ,
rich in e x ampl e s o f wife l y w o m an l y p ati e nc e d e v o tio n , , ,
s e lf sacr ifi c e B u t m any an d n o b l e as the y ar e I thi n k

-
.
, ,
Sant a Mau r a o u ght t o r an k a m o ng t he b e st I val u e t he .
rh aps o d y n o t t he l e ss high l y fo r t he h u m an e l e m e nt o f
h e r o w o rship b l e nd e d w ith t he m o r e p u r e l y c e l e sti al e x al t a
-
ti o n I o n l y h o p e that t he au st e r e pr e ach e r o f t he G o sp e l
.
,
e v e n as i m agin e d by Kings l e y m e rit e d it all , .
I had tho u ght an d have n o t d ar e d t o se t b e sid e t he

, ,
Thr e e t he Od e ad mirab l e in its e lf t o t he N o rth E ast

, ,
-
Wind As simpl e singing in its e x u l t ant g e ne ro us ins o

.
, ,
l e nc e it d e s e rv e s all h o n o ur
,
Wh t a ft So u t h W st e r
’
s t he so o e
T i t he l adi e s b re e z e
’ ’
s ,
Bri gi g ho me the ir tru e lo ve s

n n -
O t o f all t he s e as
u
B u t t he b l ac k N o rt h E ast e r -
,
Thro u gh t he sno w sto rm h rl d -

u e ,
D ri v s u E nglish h arts o f o ak
e o r e
S e award ro un d t he wo rld .
C o m as c am e o u r f ath rs
e ,
e ,
H ralde d by the e
e ,
C o nq ri g f ro m t he astward
ue n e ,
Lo rds by l and a d se a n .
C o m e a d stro ng wi thi un n s
Stir t h Vik ing s bl d e

’
oo
Braci g b r ai a d si w ;
n n n ne
Bl w tho u w ind o f G o d !
o ,
12
I f e e l h o w e ve r a spir itu al w ant in t he br av e b l u st e ring
, , ,
br e e z e whic h s huts ag ainst it t he r e gi o n o f i m m o rt al gr ie f

,
o r b l iss w he r e th o s e o th e r str ains ar e e ntit l e d t o h av e th e ir

,
d we ll ing .
T he Thr e e ar e l o v e l y c o nc e pti o ns an d w e sh o u l d h a v e t o
r ans ac k a l ibr ary o f p o e try b e fo r e di sc o v e ring s u p e ri o rs in

th e ir o wn c l ass I d o n o t s u pp o s e n e ve rth e l e ss th at gr e at
.
, ,
n e s s c o u l d j u stl y b e attrib u t e d t o th e ir w rite r as a p o e t .
F o r th at a m an s b e st p o e tic al w o r k o ught t o s u gge st th a t

’
it is supr e m e in qu al ity b e c au s e it fl o w s fr o m a fo unt ain o f

inspir ati o n in hims e l f w hich is p e re n ni all y f u ll an d d e e p .
It is imp o ssib l e t o qu e sti o n Kings l e y s inspiratio n an y ’
mo r e th an his g e ni u s It is p e r missib l e t o b e l ie ve t h at
.
he he ld it at t he g e n e r a l s e r vic e o f t he wi d e cir c l e o f his

l if e s wo r k His r o m anc e s his histo ri e s an d e ss ays ar e
’
.
,
c o l o ur e d by it e ve n his s e r m o ns an d it e l e vat e s th e m
all . N e v e r w as t he r e a n atur e an int e ll ig e nc e m o re , ,
ge ne r o u sl y c u l tiv at e d m o r e symp ath e tic m o r e p e rvio u s t o

, ,
all t he inf o r ming in fl u e nc e s t o t he e ntir e spirit o f its r ac e , , ,
r an k an d age thr o ugh o ut whi ch m o r e c o nst antl y br e ath e d

, ,
an ind e p e nd e nt e l e m e nt t he p o e tic B u t inspi r ati o n t o ,

.
c o nstit u t e distinctiv e l y a p o e t an d n o t a m e r e o cc asio n al ,
singe r insists u p o n e xc lu sive ne ss in t he v o c ati o n It

, .
p u nish e s dis o b e di e nc e by r e l e g ating t he o ffe nd e r t o a m ix e d

gr a d e ; an d dis o b e die nc e w as thu s p u nis he d he r e H o w .
b e it o f thi s at l e ast I h av e n o d o u bt — wh ate v e r Kingsl e y s

,
’
pe rs o n al statu s a m o ng p o e ts — that h o we v e r j e al o u s t he ,
p rincipl e o n which a p o e tic al anth o l o gy m ay b e fr ame d ,
v e rs e s o f his ar e s u r e t o b e n u mb e re d in it .
A d md n d ro e a an t r P m by Ch l
O he oe s, ar e s K in gsle y R e ct o r
,
o f
Ev r l y
e L ds e . on on : J hn W P rk r S
o . a e on, 1 85 8 . Al so C ll ct
o e ed
E d iti M c m ill
on . a an , 1 87 2 .
1
A dr m d n o e a, v v . 1 06—1 1 .
2
b
I id .
, vv . 39 1 - 3 .
RA L P H W A LD O E ME R S O N
1 803— 1 882
E M E R S ON in t he o pini o n o f his o w n g e n e r ati o n r an ke d

n e xt t o C ar l yl e as a t hink e r As a think e r he sti ll i s h e ld
.
,
a n d j u st l y, t o b e pr o f o u nd T he l a rg e r p art in bu lk o f
.
his l it e r ary l ife w as d e v o t e d t o t he c o mp o siti o n o f e ss ays

a n d l e ctur e s . T o a gr e at n u mb e r e v e n o f his a d mir e rs he
is u nk n o w n as a p o e t Y e t I s ho u ld b e much s u rpris e d t o
.
l e arn th at he d i d n o t v al u e hims e l f as a p o e t chi e fl y If .
so , fall ibl e as ar e au th o rs o n t he pr o p o rti o n at e v al u e o f

th e ir w o r k s I b e l i e v e he w o u l d in his pr e fe r e nc e h av e
,
’
j u dge d w is e l y H e might b e pr o b ab l y has al r e ad y b e e n

.
, ,
r e p l ac e d as a phi l o s o ph e r he c o u l d sc arc e l y b e as a p o e t .
Lit e r atu r e w o u l d l e ss e asi ly d o w ith o u t W o o dn o t e s F o r e ,
r u nne rs B acchu s S aad i M o n ad n o c th an histo ric al an d

, , , ,
critic al sci e nc e with o u t R e pr e s e ntativ e M e n o r N atu r e .
D e l ib e r at e l y he v o we d hims e l f t o p o e try w ith a f u ll ,
s e ns e o f t he o b l ig ati o ns e v e n t he divinity o f t he c al ling

, ,
.
H e b e c a m e a v o ic e w ith a m e ss ag e fr o m t h e highe r P o we rs .
T he p o e t m u st b e mut e u nti l th e y uns e al his m o uth th e y

had o p e n e d an d had shu t th e y must r e o p e n
,
Y t a g ht m y li p s a s ing l s p c h
e u e ee ,
A d a th and sil nc s
1
n ous e e .
H e n e e d n o t s ai l t he s e as o r s e arch hu m an ity fo r s ag e s
,
t o i n struct him At t he d e stin e d m o m e nt a T e ach e r is

.
at h and
B h ld h w tch s t t he d o r
e o e a e a o
B h ld hi shad w t h fl r
e o s o on e oo
S k t b y nd t hy c tt g w ll
ee no e o o a e a
R d e m rs tha t a yi ld the all

'
e e e c n e e
RALP H W ALDO EMERSO N 19 1
Whil e th sitt st t t hy d r ou e a oo
O t he d s rt s y ll w fl r
’ '
n e e e o oo ,
List i g t t h gray hair d c r n s

en n o e -
e o e ,
F lish g o ssi ps anci nt dr n s

oo , e o e ,
S adi
a th y rise i stat r
, se e e n u e
T t h h i ght f mi g hty N at r
o e e o u e,
A d t he s e c r t s tands re v al d
n e e e
F ra dul nt Tim i v ain c nc al d

u e e n o e e ,
Th t b l s d g ds i s rvil m sks
a e se o n e e a
Pli d fo th t hy ho s h ld t a ks
e r ee u e o s
?
Le t him d w e ll al o n e n o t min d in g t he r e pr o ach o f

,
f o lding his ar ms b e si d e t he wo o dland br o o k

T h r w a n v r my t ry
e e s e e s e
B t t i fig r d i t h fl w rs
’
u s u e n e o e
W a n v r se c r t hist r y
s e e e o
B t b irds t ll i t i t h b w rs
u e n e o e .
3
T he p in e tr e e sings t o hi m
-
Sp k t t hy sp ch my b u g hs m ng
ea no ee o a o
P t ff t hy y rs w sh i t h b r z
u o ea , a n e ee e
My h rs a p c f l c nt ri s
ou re ea e u e u e .
Talk n m o r wi th f ee b l t o ngu ;
o e e e
N m r t h f o l o f s p ac a d t im
o o e e o e n e,
C m w av with m n b l r rhy m
o e e e e a o e e .
O ly t hy Am ri c ns
n e a
C an r d t hy lin a m t t hy gl anc
ea e , c n ee e,
B t t h r n s that I r he ars
u e u e e e
Und rstands t he univ rs ;

e e e
T h l e s t b r ath m y b
e a ghs whi c h t ss d
e ou o e
Bring s ag ain t h P nt c st e e e o ,
T e ve ry s u l re so un din g c l ar
o o e
I n a v i c o f so l mn ch r
o e e ee ,
Am I t thin no Ar t th s t hin e e no e e e
And th y r ply F r v r min

e e , o e e e
C o m l r wi th m t h f t al s ng
e ea n e e a o
Whi ch knits t h w o rld i m si c str ng e n u o ,
C m lift thi y s t l fty rhy m s

o e ne e e o o e ,
Of thi g s wi th thing s o f t im e s wi th tim e s

n , ,
Prim v al chim s f e a d shad e o su n n e,
Of s o d d ch ma a d m aid
un an e o, n n ,
Th l d r fl cte d i t h fl o d
e an e e n e o ,
B d y wi th sh d w still p rs d
o a o u ue .
F N t r b t s i p r f ct tun
or a u e ea n e e e,
A d r nd wi th rhym h
n ou v ry r n
s e er e e u e
Wh th r h wo rk i l and
e e s a e n o r se ,
O hid r d rgro nd h al ch my
e un e u er e .
Tho c nst n t wav t hy staff i ai

u a o e n r,
O d ip t hy p addl i t he l ak e
r e n
B t i t c arv s t h b o w f b a ty t h r
u e e o e u e e,
A d t h ri pp l i rhy m s t h
n e f r ak es n e e e ar o s e .
T h w d i wi r f
e oo than th s se ar ou
Th w d e d w v oo ac h th r kn w
an a e e o e o .
N t nr l at d
o u naffi d e e , u e ,
B t t
u ac h t h ght d thin g alli d
o e ou an e ,
I p rf ct N t r s v ry p ar t
’
s e e a u e e e ,
R t d i t h mighty H ar t
oo e n e e .
’ 4
Spirit vo ic e s th o ugh w h e nc e he n e ve r d isc o v e rs ar e

, ,
c o ntinu ally s o unding in his e ar t o d ir e ct him o n his w ay ,
L ng I f llo w d h ppy g id s
o o e a u e ,
I c u ld n v r r ch th ir id s
o e e ea e s e
Th ir st p i f rth a d
e e t h d ay
s o , n , e re e ,
Br ks p th ir l ag r a d away
ea u e e ue , n .
F l w rs th y str w — I c atch t h s c nt
o e e e , e e
O tr f sil v r ins tr m nt
one o e u e
Le av s t h wind m l di s tr ac
e on e e o ou e
Y t I c ld n v r e t h ir f a c
e ou e e s e e e .
I m t m any t r v ll rs
e a e e ,
W h t h r ad had s r l y k pt
o e o u e e
Th y aw t m y fin e re v lle rs
e s n o e ,
Th s had c ro ss d th m whil the y sle pt

e e e e e .
S m tim s th ir stro ng sp e d th y slack e n

o e e e e e ,
T h gh t h y a
ou t v rt ak n ;
e re n o o e e
I sl p th ir j b il ant t r p i s n ar
n ee e u oo e ,
I t f l v i c s v rh ar ;
un e u o e o e e
I t m ay b e i w d o wast n oo r e,
At un aw ar t i c o m e a d p ast
’
es s n .
m u s t l e arn t o o b e y ; mindfu l always t h at he is b u t a
minist e r e x e cuting An o the r s b e h e st It is t he lo t o f all ’
.
gr e at s o u l s
T h hand that r nd d P t r s d m
’
e ou e e e o e,
And g r in d t h isl s f Christian R m e

o e e a e o o ,
Wro ght i a ad s inc ri ty ;

u n s e
H im s lf f ro m G o d h c o u ld t f r
e e no ee
eH b ild d b tt r than h kn w
u e e e e e
Th i o s t o n t o b a ty g r w
‘
e c o n sc u s e e u e .
T h p ssiv Mast r l nt his h nd

e a e e e a
T o t h v s t s u l th t him p l nn d
’
e a o a o er a e
And t h m p w r th t r ar d t h shrin
e sa e o e a e e e e
eB str de t h tri b s that kne l t wi thin

o e e .
E v r t he fi ry P nt c s t
e e e e o
Girds with fl am t h c o ntl ss ho st

one e e u e ,
Tranc s t h h ar t thr gh chanting ch irs

e e e ou o ,
nA d thr o gh t h p ri st t h mind insp ir s

u e e e e .
“
N o t th at t o hi m ch o s e n th o u gh he b e m o r e th an h al f
, ,
tr u ths ar e disc l o s e d Exist e nc e c o nstantl y is ask ing ri d d le s

.
b e yo n d hu m an p o we r o f gue ssing T he Sp hi nx inte rr o g ate d .

,
r e fe rs man t o hims e lf
I
Tho art t h un answe r d q e sti n
u e e u o
C u ldst o t hy p r p r y se e o e e e,
Always i t aske th ask th , e
An d ach nswe r i a li e a s e .
1 0
In t he in e vit ab l e d ar k n e ss he will s e e k inspir ati o n fr o m

L o v e fr o m t he Lo v e Ce l e sti al ab o v e all ; b u t al s o fr o m ,
D ae m o nic th at n o t b l ind b u t
—
, ,
radi nt sharp st sight d g d

a , e -
e o ,
Wh y s pi r c e o se e e e
T h U iv rs e n e e,
P ath fi d r o ad bu ild r -
n er, -
e ,
M diat r r yal g iv r e o , o -
e .
11
Eve n he m ay v e ntu r e a m o ng t he sh ad o w s an d unc e rt ain t y

o f co m mo n Initi al L o v e n o t c o mpl aining o v e r much o f
RA LP H W ALDO EMERSO N 195
re b uffs ; fo r he c an c o mfo rt hi ms e lf w ith t he sur e tr u st

t hat
Wh n half g ds g e -
o o ,
T he g o ds arriv e .
12
B u t t he g u i d ing st ar o f hi s c ar e e r is s e rvic e t o t he Univ e rs e

t o t he p e rf e ct w ho l e
All a ne d d by ac h o
re e e e ne
N o thing i f air o r g o d al ne
s o o .
I th ght t he s p rr w s n t f ro m h av n
’
ou a o o e e e ,
S itting t d w a t h ald r b u g h
a n on e e o
I b r u ght hi m h m i his n s t at v n
o o e, n e , e e
H e si g s t h s o ng b t it c he rs
n e t w , u e no no ,
F o I d id
r t b ring h me t h ri v r
no d sk y o e e an
H e sang t m y a —th y s g t o m y y
o e r, e an e e .
13
T he supr e m e busine ss o f t he Po e t S o u l thus is t o striv e t o -
c o mpr e he n d t he wo r king o f t he W o r ld S o ul H e must n o t -

.
b e sh o c k e d at w h at m ay s e e m t o b e t he d e ity s piti l e ssn e ss

’
H s rv e th t h se r vant
e e e ,
T h b r av e h l o v s am ain
e e e
H kills t h c ri ppl a d t h s i k
e e e n e c ,
A d s traig ht b g ins ag ain

n e
F g ds d light i g ds
or o e n o ,
A d thr s t t h w k sid
n u e ea a e
T him w h s e m s t h ir c hari ti s
o o e e e ,
Th ir arms fly p n wid e o e e .
14
He wi ll ne ithe r qu arr e l with his d ist rib u ti o n o f p o v e rty t o

o n e an d w e al th t o an o th e r d o o m e d s o o n t o b e a dd e d
t o hi s l and a l u m p o f m o u ld t he m o re
,
n o r f o rg e t his b o unty in
Spr adi g May s le afle ss blo o ms i a d am p no o k

e n
’
n ,
T o p l e ase t h d e se rt an d t he sl u gg ish b r o k
e o
1“
in e nd o wi ng with w armth an d b ri ghtn e ss an d h o n e ye d ,
s hr u bs an d vi n e s t he bur l y h u mb l e b e e
,
-
N 2
I s ct l v r f t h s
n e o e o e un ,
J y o f t hy d o mini o n
o
S ilo r o f t he at mo sph re
a e
S wimm r thro gh t h wav e s e u e
V yag e r o f li ght a d e o
o n n n
E pi c r an f J ne
u e o u
17
in c o mmi ssi o n in g t o gl o rify all thi s e arth

,
of o urs , t he
b e n e fi c e n t Spirit o f B e au ty
Gu st f m illio n p aint d f o rms

e o e ,
Whi ch i t rn t hy gl ry w rms
n u o a
T he f r ail t l af t h m esy b a rk e , e e ss ,
T he ac o rn s r i b w s
’ ’
p t h a o a cu , e n r c,
T h swi nging s p id r s sil v r line

’
e e e ,
T he r by o f t h d o p o f win
u e r e,
T h shining p bb l
e f t h p o nd e e o e ,
Tho i ib t wi th a b o nd
u n sc r es ,
n I t hy m o m nt ar y p l y e a ,
W o ld b a kr pt natu r t o re p ay
u n u e .
H appy he r e an d the r e a m an w ho has l e arnt

, , to e nj o y
t he f e ast pr e p ar e d fo r hi m
And s ch I k w a f r st se r
u ne , o e e ,
A mi str l f t h nat ral y r

n e o e u ea ,
A l v r tru who kn w by h rt
o e e, e ea
E ch j y t h m o
a otai d al s im p arte un n e
I t s m d that nat r c o u ld
ee e t r i u e no a se
A p l t i a y s e c r t p l ac e
an n n e ,
I q aking b o g o sno wy hill

n u , n ,
B n ath t h gr ass that shad s t he rill

e e e e ,
B t he w o ld c o m i t h v ry ho r
u u e n e e u
I t o p ne d i it vir gi b o w r
e n s n e ,
As if a s b am sh w d t h plac
un e o e e e,
And t ll it s l ng d sc nde d r ac e
e o -
e e .
Wh t o th rs did at dist anc h ar

a e e e ,
A d g ss d wi thin t he thi c k t s g l o o m
’
n ue e e ,
W a sho w d t thi phil o so ph r

s e o s e ,
And at hi s b iddi ng se e m e d t o c o me .
Th y c l u r d t h h ri z n r o nd ;
e o o e e o o u
St rs fl m d a d f ad d a th y b ad
a a e n e s e e
All ch h rk d f th ir s nd
e o es ea en e or e ou ,
Th y m d t h w dlands gl ad o mad
e a e e oo r .
I t ouch this fl w r f silk n l f o e o e ea ,
Whi ch nc c hild h o d kn w
o e our o e
I t s ft l av
s o w d m wi th a g ri f
e es oun e e
W ho b l am v r g re w
se a s ne e .
H rk t y pin warbl r
ea en o on e- e
S i gi g l ft i t h t r
n n a o n e ee
H r t th O tr v ll r
ea es ou, a e e ,
W h t h s i g th t m
a e n e o e
G o l l y m a it s i t h
, one n ,
’
a
T h y l v d th f r m th ir b irth
e o e ee o e
T h ir h d w r p r a d p r th ir f ai th
e an s e e u e, n u e e ,
Th r e s ch he ar ts
e ar e n o r th u on ea .
You c n t nl c k y r h art
a no u o ou e ,
Th k y i g e wi th th m
e s on e e
Th e il t rg n l d t cha t s
s en o a ou es n
Th m t r s r q i m
’ ’ 2“
e as e e u e .
B u t t he fi r e an d fl a m e o f f ancy he r e s e rv e d fo r e xp l o r a
ti o ns o f t he Inc o mpre he nsibl e In t he m aj e stic hymn o r .
,
tr e atis e in w hich he s e e ms d e t e rmin e d t o pr o ve by e xpl ain

,
ing it th at G o d he ad as i m agin e d in his sche m e o f B e ing

, , ,
is in e xpl ic ab l e he f all s int o an e cst asy

,
Thi v lt whi ch gl ws imm nse wi th light

s au o e
I th i
s wh r h l d g s f
e nn night e e e o e or a .
W h t k ch Tr v ll r if t h b w rs
a ree s su a e e e o e
W hi ch b l m d f d lik m d o w fl we rs
oo an a e e ea o
A b ch o f f rag r t lili s b
un an e e,
O t h s t ars f t r i ty
r e o e e n
Alik t hi m t h b tt r t h w r
e o e e e , e o se ,
T h g l wi g
e g l th
o ntc a t c r an e , e ou s o se .
Th m t t him by c t ri s
ou e es en u e ,
A d 1
n h p a e lik e t he b re z e
0 e ss s e
Th k t i g l b a d g l xy
o u se e
’
s n o e n a a ,
H hid e i p r t r an p ar cy
e s n u e s en
RALP H W ALDO EMERSO N 199
sk st i f tains a d i fi Th ou a e n o un n n r e s,
H i th ss nc th t in q ir s e s e e e e a u e .
H i t h ax is f t h st r e s e o e a ,
H i t h s parkl f t h s p ar e s e e o e ,
H i t h h rt f v r y c r t r e s e ea o e e ea u e,
H i s t h m aning f c h f at r e e e o ea e u e
An d hi mind i t h sk y s s e ,
Th n ll it h lds m r de e p m o r hig h a a o o e , e
?1
Th o ught as it flo w s fr o m him t u rns int o r e d ho t st e a m

, ,
-
.
T he he a t is n o o cc asi o n al accid e nt ; it is an inh e r e nt

pr o p e rty P hi l o s o phy in suc h g u is e m ay we ll cl ai m fo r
.
its e lf t he pr e r o g ativ e s an d ho n o u rs o f p o e tic inspir ati o n ;

an d n o n e w ho st u dy E m e rs o n s v e rs e will r e fus e th e m t o
’
it an d hi m .
T h W rk e f R l ph W l d E m r
o s o Fiv v l ( l i L tt r a a o e so n . e o s . vo . v : e e s,
S ci l Ai m P m ) B t
o a s, H ght Miffli oe C 1 882 Al
s . os on : ou on, n c .
, . so
T h C m pl t W rk
e o f R lph W ld
e e Em r Tw v l o ( l i s o a a o e so n . o o s . vo .
,
Th P m ) e oeL d G B ll S
s . 1 87 9 on on : . e o n s, .
1
M r p e l i p 4 7 1 (1 87 9
o s, v o .
, .
1
S d i l i p 3 9 (1 882
aa , vo . v, .
3
T h Ap l gy e l i p 4 66 (1 87 9
o o , vo .
, .
W d too l i pp 1 3 4—5 (1 882

no e s, v o . v, .
5
Frr o e l i pp 68—9
u n n e r s, v o . v, .
5
B cch a l i p 118 u s, v o . v, .
7
M rli e l i p 116
n , vo . v, .
I b id
11
l i p 1 14
.
, vo . v, .
7
T h Pr bl m e l i pp 1 4—1 5
o e , vo . v, .
1“
T h Sphi x e l i p 11 n , vo . v, .
11
I i ti l D m i c
n a d C l ti l L v
, ae l i pp 1 04 5 on , an e es a o e , vo . v. .
-
G iv ll t L v e a l i p 45 1 o o e, vo . v, .
E ch d Al l
a l i p 12
an , vo . v, .
1‘
T h W rld S l p 2 7
e o -
ou , .
Th H m t y e pp 7 0 1 a a re a, .
-
T h Rh d r
1 “
e p 58 o o a, .
17
T h H m bl b e p 59 u e - ee, .
1“
Od t B ty pp 80—1
e o e au , .
W
1 “
d t i pp 1 2 7 —8
oo no e s, v, .
Dirg p 1 88—9 (1 882

1 “
e, .
”1
W d t ii p 1 4 0
oo no e s, , .
E D G AR A L L A N P O E
1 8 1 1 — 1 84 9
T HE Y ar e all d re a ms if m anufactu r e d dre ams

,
— T he
R ave n Le n o r e T he B e ll s Ann ab e l Le e E u l alie Ulalu me

, , , , , ,
Dr e a m l an d T he City ii i t he Se a A Dr e a m wi thi n a Dr e a m
, , ,
F o r Ann i e B rid al B all ad I sr afe l T o H e l e n

, , W e se e
, .
things happ e ning b e ing d o n e b e ing s u ff e r e d W e h e ar

, , .
w o r d s W e sp e ak the m Th o ugh w e ar e t he r e on l y b e c au s e
. .
w e ar e s u bj e ct o r o bj e ct w e k n o w w e hav e n o thing in
,
re al ity t o d o with t he w h o l e W e ar e c o nscio us th at it is

.
an i ll u si o n fr o m which w e ar e sur e t o w ak e up if o nc e w e « ,
c an sh ak e o u rs e l v e s Thr o u gh o u t t he e ntir e r ange o f p o e try

.
n o thi ng l ik e it is t o b e f o u nd ; n o t Christ ab e l : Ku b la
Khan m ay c o mp ar e tho u gh chi e fl y by w ay o f c ontr ast o f
,
t he sp o nt an e ity in it with t he artific e in P o e In pr o s e .
s o me o f D e Q u inc e y s visi o ns might st and in t he s a m e l in e

’
we r e th e y n o t p e rva d e d by a p al p ab l e r e as o n ab l e n e ss .
P o e s in a s e ns e h ave n e ith e r tho u ght n o r f e e l ing an d in

’
a s e ns e th e y ar e n o thing e l s e S o m e w h e r e s eve r al ye ars

.
,
ago a wr it e r s u pp o s e d M an t o p o ss e ss o r b e p o s se ss e d b
, y
,
.
,
t wo so u l s o n e i m m o rt al a h e av e n l y sp ar k
, t he o th e r at
an y r at e n o t he av e n l y an d c e rt ain l y m o rt al
, c ap ab l e o f ,
dyin g with t he fl e sh Th at is t he s o rt o f s o u l which an i m ate s

.
P o e s v e rs e if n o t hi ms e lf
’
, .
T he gr ac e an d m e l o d y o f m o st o f hi s fe w p o e ms ar e
indispu t ab l e an d all b u t i mp o ssib l e t o an al ys e an d d e fin e
, .
T he ch arm is as inscr u t ab l e In T he R av e n wav e aft e r

.
w av e o f s o l e mn m yste ry k e e ps ro ll ing u p The re is t he .
o p e ning sc e n e
Wre tch s y l v d h f h w al th a d hat d h f h p rid
e .
e o e er or er e n e er or er e,
A d w h n sh f ll i f e b l h l th y b l ss e d h
n e e e that h di d
n e e ea e e er, s e e
H w h ll t h rit al t h n b r d— t h r q i m h w b e s ng
o s a e u , e , e ea e e u e o u ,
By y — b y y rs t h
ou vil y b y y o rs t h sl and r s t ngu
— ou ,
e e e e u , e e ou o e ,
Th t d id t d ath t h in c nc that di d a d di d o y g
a o e e no e e e , n e s o un
3
Not that e ithe r is o the rwis e th an c l e ar an d si mp l e by

t he sid e o f U lalu m e ! A m az e o f f ant astic int e nti o n all y ,
dishe ve ll e d r o m anc e that y e t o f an abs u r d pr e p o ste r o u s ,
b e auty sm e lling str o ng o f t he l amp by t he l ight o f whi ch

,
d o u bt l e ss it w as c o njur e d up o n t he ,
ni ght i t h l n s m O ct o b r n e o e o e e
Of m y m o s t imm m o ri l y r e a ea
thr u gh an all y Ti tani c o e
Of cyp re ss I r o am d wi t h m y S l, e ou ,
Of cyp r s wi t h Psyc h m y S o l
es , e, u .
T h s we r d ays wh m y h ar t w as v l c a i c
e e e en e o n
As t he s c o ri a c riv e rs that r o ll ,
As t he l avas that re stle ssl y ro ll

Th ir s l phu ro u s cu rre nts d wn Y aa k
e u o ne
I t he l t i m at c lim e s o f t h p o l
n u e e e,
T hat g ro an as th y r o ll d wn M u t Y aa k e o o n ne
I t h r e alms o f t he b o re al p o l e
n e
4
R e l ativ e l y t he lay o f T he B e ll s is simpl e an d s an e a s ,
th e y s o u nd the ir app e al s o f tri u mph dism ay ange r an d , , ,
l a m e nt ati o n ti ll w e f e e l as it w e r e t he t o we r r o c k ing u n de r
, , ,
o u r fe e t B ut e ve n t he r e t he r e ad e r is p u zz l e d by t he
.
gr atu it o us cru e l ty o f t he ringe rs o f t he chi m e s — that

T h p p l — ah t h p o pl e eo e ,
e e e
Th y that dw ll p i t h st pl e e u n e ee e,
Al l l a on e ,
T lli g t lli g t ll i g e n , o n , o n ,
I that m ffl d m o n t o n n u e o e,
F l g l ry i ro ll i g
ee a o n so n
O t h h m an h ar t a st o n n e u e e .
5
EDGAR ALL AN P OE 2 03
Ann ab e l Le e its e lf w hich b e sid e s b e ing b e witchingl y , ,
s we e t i s r ati o n al still c o ntains an e nigm a if o n e n e e di ng

, , ,
n o D ani e l fo r its s o l u ti o n
I t w a m any a d m ny a y ar ago
s n a e ,
I a ki g d m by t h
n a n o e se ,
T hat m aid n th r liv d who m y o m ay kn w

a e e e e u o
B y t h am f A b l L e n e o nna e ee
A d t his m aid n h liv d wi th

n th r tho u ght
e s e e no o e
Than t l v d b l v d by m o o e an e o e e .
I w a a c hild a d h w
s c hild , n s e as a ,
I this king d o m by t h
n e se a
B t w l o v d wi t h a l v t ha t w a m r t h n l v
u e e o e s o e a o e ,
I d m y An nab l L
an e ee
With l v th t t h winged s raphs f h v n

a o e a e e o ea e
C vt dh a dm o e e er n e .
T h a g ls
e t half
n e h ppy i h av
, n o so a n e en ,
W nt nvying h a d m
e e er n e
Y es th t w t h r —
a all m kn w
as e e a so n as en o ,
I thi ki g d m by t h s
n s n o e ea
That t h wi d c m t f t h cl d by night
e n a e ou o e ou
fl
C hilli g d killi g m y An b l L
n an n n a e ee .
“
And l ast far fr o m l e ast F o r Anni e On t he f ac e o f i t

, ,
a ridd l e — o r it w o u l d n o t b e E dg ar Al l an P o e s — i t is l i k e
’
An n ab e l Le e s o o n gu e ss e d
, o n l y t he ans w e r is as d i i c u lt ,
a s t he qu e sti o n B u t t he th e m e is gr and l y au d aci o u s

.
,
a l m o st s u b l im e ; j u st an e cst asy o f l if e s un e xp l ain e d ’

,
p e r haps in e xp l ic ab l e p e rh aps u nr e al u nr e as o n ab l e d e sp ai r
, , ,
b e c o m e if n o t b l iss a tr anqu i l tr anc e thr o u gh t he e mbr ac e

, , ,
o f D e ath by L o v e
Thank H av n t h c risi e e e s,
T h d ang r i p as t e e s ,
A d t h l i g ri g ill ss n e n e n ne
I v r at l s t s o e a
A d t h f v r c ll d l ivi g
‘
n e e e a e n
I c q r d t la t s on ue e a s .
And I r st so c m p o s dly
e o e
N o w i my b d n e ,
That a y b ho ld rn e e
Mi ght f ancy me d ad e
Mi ght st rt at b h lding me
a e o ,
Thinking m e d e ad .
An d , 0 t o rtu re s
o f all
That t o rtu re t he wo rst

H as ab ate d— t he t e rri b l e
To rtu re o f thi rst
F o r t he nap hthaline riv e r
Of P assi o n acc u rs t
I hav e dru n k o f a wat e r
That qu e nche s all thirst
And , ah n ve r le t it e
B f o li shl y s aid
e o
That m y ro o m it i gl o o my s
And narr w my b e d o
F orm a ne v r sl pt n e e
I ndi ff r nt b d
a e e e
And t sl p y m st slu m b e r
, o ee , ou u
I j st s c h a b e d
n u u .
And o I li happily
s e ,
B thi g i m any
a n n
A dr am o f t h t r th
e e u
A d t h b a ty o f Anni
n e e u e
D ro wn d i a b the n a
Of t h t r ss s f Anni
e e e o e .
She te nd e rl y kisse d me ,
She f o ndl y c ar sse d e ,
A d the n I f ll g e tl y
n e n
T o sl p o he r b r as t
ee n e
D e e pl y t o sl e p e
F ro m t he he ave n o f he r b re ast .
to one t he m e .I find b e t we e n it an d fo r inst anc e T he , ,
R av e n a y e t m o r e intim at e an al o gy ; a r e l ati o nship o f

,
o n e t o t he o th e r as its c o nv e rs e Thus in T he R av e n t he
.
, ,
r e ad e r is c o ntinu all y le d o n t o e xp e ct an e v e nt o f i mp o rt
w hi ch n e v e r h app e ns ; in F o r Anni e t he v e ry o r din ary ,
id e a w hich w e s u pp o s e d w e w e r e c o nt e mpl ating d e v e l o ps

int o a m o nstr o sity o f f ancy at o nc e sp e ctr al m at e ri al an d , ,
b e au tif u l Co ntr aste d as ar e t he r e s u l ts I b e li e ve t he ar t

.
,
t o b e virtu all y i d e ntic al . T he e ffe ct P o e d e sir e d t o c o mp ass

by a p o e m w o u l d s e e m t o h av e b e e n th at o f a singl e l o ng
p u l s ating sho c k st arting o n e d o e s n o t kn o w w he nc e It
,
.
w as a p o int o f pri d e wi th hi m b o th th at he sh o u ld b e ab l e
,
t o t e ll hi ms e lf he had acc o mp l ish e d hi s o bj e ct in c o nf o rmity

wi th rigi d ru l e s an d th at hi s r e ad e rs sh o u ld n e v e r gu e ss
,
the m .
H e hi ms e lf p ar ad e d i n print t he abs e nc e o f sp o nt an e o u s
insp ir ati o n fr o m his c o mp o s it io n o f T he R av e n It was he .
,
has t o ld t he w o r ld t he pr o d uct o f a m e chanic al o p e r at io n

,
he had cunning l y d e vis e d . H e w ho had b o ast e d th at wi th

hi m p o e try w as n o t a p u rp o s e b u t a p assi o n ,
d e t ail s
e l ab o r at e l y ho w an d why he intr o d u c e d b e au ty w ith it s ,
hi gh e st e xpr e ssi o n s ad n e ss an d d e ath ; a r e fr ain wi th

, , ,
a bir d — b y ch o ic e a r a v e n — t o r e p e at it in u nc o nsci o u s
,
unis o n wi th t he thr o bbings o f d e sp air in de ad Le n o r e s ’
l o v e r an d b e n e ath all a sugge stiv e un de rcurr e nt o f

, ,
f u rthe r m e aning — d e lib e r ate l y c o nfin ing t he w ho l e wi thi n

a fe w mo r e th an o n e hundr e d li n e s
8
.
T he e xp l an ati o n at t he tim e t as k e d t he c ap acity o f

p o pu l ar b e li e f m o r e e v e n th an h e w e ir d n e ss o f t he p o e m
hypn o tiz e d c o m m o n u n d e rst an di ngs A n atur al c o nj e ctu r e
.
w as t hat P o e e ithe r d e c e iv e d hims e lf int o m e asuring b ac k

s t e p by st e p gr o un d hi s f ancy had alr e ad y t ak e n in i t s
st ri d e o r simpl y w as d iv e r t ing hims e lf wi th an e xp e ri me nt

,
EDGAR ALL AN P OE 2 07
on pu b l ic cr e d u l i t y R e all y ho we ve r w hat wo u l d have

.
, ,
b e e n an al t o ge the r u nl ik e l y my st ifi c at io n if i mp u te d t o
an o th e r p o e t c e as e s t o b e w h o ll y incr e d ib l e wit h r e sp e ct t o
,
hi m T he ir o n rigo u r with w hich in T he R av e n t he thr e a d

.
— c hain r athe r — o f t he c e nt ral id e a is str e tch e d stiff an d

t au t fav o urs in d e e d t he sugge sti o n o f artific e r athe r
than an u npr e m e d it at e d fl ight o f i m agin ati o n At all .
eve nts n o p o e t b u t hi ms e lf c o ul d h av e t r i e d t o p e rs u ad e
his r e ad e rs t o t hi n k th e y s me l t in his inspir at io n t he s aw
d u st an d o il o f t he w o rk sh o p .
Al th o u gh n o c ri t i c n o t e v e n P o e hi ms e lf has att e mpt e d

, ,
t o app l y t he e xt re m e m e ch anic al th e o ry t o o the rs o f his

p o e ms it c anno t b e d e ni e d that in g e n e r al th e y ar e li ab l e
,
t o t he ch arg e o f an e xc e ss o f ar t N o n e br e ath e o f simp l e

.
n atur e Eve n t he e l e g anc e o f t he l in e s t o He l e n with he r

.
N ai ad airs which bring ad m ire rs

ho m e
T o t h g l o ry t hat w as G r c
e ee e,
And t h grand r that wa R me

e eu s o ,
9
is b u t d umb scul ptur e tho ugh o f ivo ry an d g o ld Tho ugh

, .
a sp o nt an e o u s sp ar k — a l uri d o n e — fr o m t he s o u l k ind l e s
t he d e ad m an s app e al t o his l o v e F o r Anni e its ru sh o f

’
,
fi r e is c o nstr ain e d it has had t o fl a m e al o ng a l in e r u l e d

fo r n o t by it
, N e v e r w as v e rs e o f s u ch app ar e nt an d s o
, .
,
li t t l e r e al fr e e do m as all o f Po e s ; o r c o ns e qu e nt l y so ’
fl
, , ,
a rtistic w hich is l e ss s atisfyi ng ; so p u r e o f l o o s e t ain t

,
wi th l e ss o f w ho l e s o m e fr e s hn e ss N o h e al thf ul br e e z e .
b l o w s fr o m o ff its D e a d Se a s u rf ac e N o singing birds fl y .
o v e r it ; t ho u gh its e lf in its e b b an d o w m ake s s o ng

, , ,
h arm o ny f airy m u sic Wh ate ve r he wr o te fr o m hi s

, .
,
pr e c o ci o u s an d l ib e rtin e n o t i dl e yo uth t o t he d e li rio u s

, ,
e n d in t he B al tim o r e h o spit al p o ss e ss e s t he s a m e q u ali ti e s

,
o f unf ai lin g gr ac e an d t o n e B ut t he w h o l e is like a r e ve ri e

.
b e twe e n s l e e p an d waki ng always f ascin ating n e v e r , ,
r e stf u l with an atm o sphe r e ab o u t it as o f a s e p u l chral

,
v au l t .
W kor s of g r All P
Ed a an o e, e dJ H . . . In gr am . F rv l
ou o s . 1 87 4—5 . Al so
P ti c l
oe a W rk d J m
o s, e . a es H yan n a . Lo n d o n :Ch rl a es G r ffi in , 1 85 2 .
1
T he R v t za 1
a en , s an s , 7, 1 8 .
2
Le n o r e , st . 1 .
3
b
I id .
, st . 2 .
4
Ulalu m e , st . 2 .
5
T heB ll t 4 e A blL
s, s . . nna e e e , s an t za s 1 , 2, 4 .
7
F orA i t z l 3 6 8 1 1 12 13 14 15
n n e , s an as , , , , , , , , .
3
Phil phy f C m p iti (W rk ) l ii pp
o so o o os on o s , vo .
, . 2 62 —70 .
T H l (P m wri tt i Y th) t 2
9
o e en oe s en n ou , s . .
v o c ati o n ; m o r e m o d e st an d r e v e r e nti al ; y e t in a s e ns e al s o
m o r e e x acting His n atu r e inc o rp o r at e d as m u ch as it
.
c o u l d o f o th e r p o e tic s o u l s S o m e thing w as e xtr act e d he r e

.
,
s o m e thing the re Ev e ry c o nstitu e nt in t he n e w cr e ati o n

.
w as g e n ui n e wi t h c ha r act e r istics o f its o w n b u t c o mpr e ss e d

, ,
t o m e e t t he d e m an d s o f t he r e st E ach w as k e pt m all e ab l e
.
t o r e c e iv e a st a mp fr o m t he b o rr o wing s e l f Th at s e lf w as .
tho u ghtfu l witho u t b e ing a thinke r gi ve n t o l e arning n o t ,
t o r e s e arch sym p athe tic all y inqu isi t ive n o t phi l o s o phic ,
a cc u st o m e d t o l o o k t o a p ri nt e d p a g e t o p u t f ancy in
m o ti o n Fr o m t he v ast st o r e o f his r e ading Lo ngf e ll o w

.
s e l e cte d instinctive l y w h at e v e r he c o u l d assimi l at e an d fe e l .
In his p o e ms w e h av e t he fr u it o f hi s st u di e s an d th e ir
e ss e nc e has b e c o m e hi s Th e r e t he e xpl an ati o n is o f t he
.
ang e r , t he bitt e r c o nt e mpt w hic h hi s s u cc e ssiv e e arl i e r

,
v o lu m e s stirr e d in div e rs critics at t he tim e s o f the i r

a pp e ar anc e Th e y we r e irrit at e d by c atching an d l o sing
.
h o l d c o ntinu all y o f c l u e s t o s o u rc e s fr o m w hich he had

d r awn Th e y r age d at t he s e l f c o mp l ac e ncy as th e y
.
-
,
r e g ard e d it wi th which he pr o p o u nd e d d isc o ve ri e s by

,
i llu stri o u s pr e d e c e ss o rs as n o ve l ti e s o f his o w n Th e y d id .
n o t c ar e t o u nd e rst and th at his p o e try c a m e fin all y fr o m
hi s h e art whe nc e s o e v e r its e l e m e nts mi ght h av e b e e n

,
d e riv e d ; t h at w h at t o t he m w e r e tr u isms w e r e fo r him

ve ry t r uths F o r hi s p u b l ic th e y w e r e tr u ths t o o an d
.
,
l iving tr u ths H e w as abs o l u te l y sinc e r e w h e n he pr e ach e d

.
ve n e r ab l e m o r al iti e s li k e t he P s al m o f Lif e an d Exc e l si o r

, ,
a s a n e w G o sp e l T he u nd o ubting c o nfid e nc e with w hic h

.
he pr o c l aim e d it if it r ais e d u p sc o ff e rs by t he d o z e n
, ,
br o u ght hi m discipl e s by t he t e n t ho u s and .
T he j e e rs c o ming fr o m t he int e ll e ctu al c l ass in t he O l d

,
Co u ntry m u st I am afr aid h av e c au s e d ache s b e yo nd t he

, , ,
p o w e r o f appl au s e by t he m u l titu d e t o h e al A ll hi s wo r k .
HE N RY W ADS W ORTH LON G F E LL OW 211
ind ic at e s a d e l ic at e s e nsitive o rganism It w as an acci de nt

, .
th at his e ar l y p o pu l arity w as l arge l y d u e t o s o m e s o u ndi ng

pl atitu d e s Pl atit u d e s ar e n o t n e c e ss ari l y cri mi n al Lite r a
. .
t u r e is p ave d with the m Ofte n the y hav e b e e n with o u r .
gr e at e st t he nursing m o th e rs o f r o yal s u blimi t ie s In

-
.
L o ngf e ll o w s v e rs e th e y ar e n ai ve an d grac e f u l b u t it
’
w as his mi sf o rtun e th at th e y w o n hi m a d m ir ati o n whi ch , ,
fo r p o e ts t o b e all o we d t o b e ar it in c o mf o rt o ught t o f all , ,
a h al o fr o m ab o v e an d n o t st e a m r ankl y u fr m b l w H
, , p o e o e .
e nd ur e d t he c o ns e qu e nt o b l o q u y h o w e v e r w o un d ing with , ,
unc o mpl aining digni ty H e di d n o t li k e f a m o us English

.
,
c o nte mp o r ari e s t u rn u p o n his ass ai l ants an d r e n d the m

, .
T he e xc e ll e nc e o f s o m e o f hi s wo r k w as n e v e r d e ni e d ,
an d is indisp u t ab l e His tr ans l ati o ns e sp e ci all y fr o m t he

.
,
G e rm an an d Sp an i sh ar e f ull o f b e au ty Th at o f Co pl as
, .
d e M an r i q u e s Od e o n hi s f at h e r R o d r ig o s d e ath is gr av e
’ ’
an d n o b l e. Oth e rs fr o m M ii lle r Uhl and S alis e nh anc e t he , , ,
m e rits o f t he o rigin al s T ak e fo r e x a mpl e s W hi the r t he

.
, ,
St at u e o ve r t he Cath e dr al D o o r t he l e ge nd o f t he Cr o ssb ill , ,
an d t he l o v e l y S o ng o f t he Si l e nt L and
Int o S il nt Land
t he e
Ah w ho shall l e ad u s t hi the r
C lo u ds in t he v ning sky m re darkly g ath r
e e o e ,
An d hatte re d wr c ks li t hi c k r
s t he st r and e e e on .
W ho l ads u s wi th a g e nt l e hand
e
Thi the r O thi the r, ,
Int o t h S il nt Land ?
e e
Into t h S il nt L nde e a
To y o y b o un dl ss r g i ns
u, e e e o
Of ll p rf ctio n
a e T nde r mo ing visio ns
e e rn -
Of b e a t e o u s s o u l s T he F tu r ple d g an d b and ’
u u e s e
W h i Lif s b att l fi rm d t h s t and

’
o n e e o ,
S hall b e ar H pe s t d r bl sso ms o
’
en e o
Into t he S il t La d en n
212 FIVE C E N TURIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
0 L d
L ndan 0 a
F ll t h b r k n h rt d
or a e o e - ea e
T h mild t h r ald by
e f at all tt d
es e o ur e o e ,
B ck e d wi th inv rt d to r ch d th t and
o n s , an e e o s
T l d o with a g ntl hand

ea us e e
Int t h l and f t h g r at D p ar t d
o e o e e e e ,
I t t h S il nt Land
n o e e
1
Gr ad u ally t he sn e e ring e v e n at his o rigin al v e rs e w e nt

o u t o f f as hi o n as v o l u m e aft e r v o l u m e d e m o nstr at e d an
,
u nmist ak ab l e p o e t Evange l in e had b e e n a r e v e l ati o n t o

.
m any an d s u r e l y f ancy r ar e l y has cr e at e d a s w e e t e r
m aid e n e qu al al i k e t o jo y an d t e ars
,
F ir w h t b h ld that m aid n f s v nt n s mm rs
a as s e o e o , e o e e ee u e
B t
u a c l stial b rightn ss— m o r th r al b a ty
e e e a e e e e e u
Sh n
o e on h f c er d circl d h f rm wh n ft r c o nf ssi n
a e an en e er o ,
e , a e e o ,
H m w rd s r n l y h walk d w i th G d s b n di cti n p o n h
o e a e e e s e e o
’
e e o u er .
W h h h d p a d it s m d l ik t h c a i g f xq isit m si c
en s e a sse , ee e e e e s n o e u e u
?
Pu rists c o u l d bring n o gr av e r r e pr o ach th an t he h e x a

m e t e rs Hi awatha n o t withst anding its h e nd e c asyll ab l e s
.
, ,
c o nv e rt e d o t he rs M ar k P attis o n w ho o bj e ct e d t o Lo ng
.
,
f e ll o w fo r his ind u l ge nc e in tr u isms w as o b l ig e d t o pr ais e ,
t he c o mp aris o n o f t he a dv e nt o f j o st l ing h u m an d is ast e rs

t o t he g ath e ring o f a sw a r m o f v u l t u r e s
N v r t p s t h s aring v l t r
e e s oo e o u u e
O hi q rry i t he dn s rt ua n e se ,
O t h si c k nwo und d b i n
e or e so ,
B t n th r v l t r u awatchi g o e u u e , n
Fr m hi s high a ri l l k t
o e a oo ou
-
,
S s t h d wnw rd pl g
ee d f ll ws
e o a un e , an o o
A d a third p rs s t h s c nd
n u ue e e o ,
C mi g f r m t h invi ibl th r
o n o e s e e e ,
First a sp ck a d th v lt r e ,
n en a u u e,
Till t h ai i d rk with pi i e r s a n o n s.
3
T he w o nd e r t o m e is as I r e c all t he fight o n t he p o e t s ,
’
b e half ho w an y o pp o si t i o n s ho u ld h ave s u rvive d t he sti ll

,
T he st ar o f t h nc nq e r d will e u o u e ,
H ris s i m y b r as t
e e n e ,
fl
S rn a drs l t
e e e, d st illn e o u e , an ,
A d c alm a d s lf p o s ss d
n ,
n e -
se e
7
in T he R e ap e r an d t he F l o w e rs
My Lo rd has n e d o f th s w t s gay e e e o ere ,
’
T h R ap e r s id a d smil d
e e a , n e
D ar t o k ns o f t h a rt h a th y
e e e e re e ,
W h r h wa nc a child
e e e s o e .
Th y shall all b l o m i fi ld o f light

e o n e s ,
Transpl ante d by my c ar e,
And s int s u p n th ir g arm nts whi te

a o e e ,
The s s ac re d bl o sso ms w e ar
e
3
o r in Bl in d B ar t im e u s s i mp o rtun at e p e titi o n wi th it s
’
,
m u sic al Gr e e k The y o n l y k n o w an d ar e c o nte nt t o kn o w

9
.
, ,
th at s u ch str ains c al m tro u b l e d n e rve s an d t o uch t he h e art , .
Eve n p e rs o ns w ho h abit u all y re qu ir e o f p o e try t hat

it sh all stim u l at e an d infl a m e h av e o cc as io n al mo o d s ,
incl inin g th e m t o l ist e n t o ge nt l e r m u sic :
N t f r o m t h g r and o ld m ast e rs
o e ,
N o t f r o m t he b ards s b l im e u ,
Wh se distant f t t p s e c h
o oo s e o
Thr o gh t he c o rrid o rs o f Tim

u e .
F orlik strains f m art ial m si c

, e o u ,
Th ir mi ghty tho u ghts s gg st

e u e
Lif s e ndl ss t il a d e nd av r ;
e
’
e o n e ou
And t o night I l o ng f r re st
-
o .
R ad f r o m s m e hu m b l r p t
e o e oe ,
Wh se s o ng s gu she d f r o m hi he art
o s ,
As sho we rs f r o m t h c l ds f s mm e r e ou o u ,
Or t ars f ro m t h
e y lids start e e e
And t h night shall b fi lle d with musi c

e e ,
A d t he c ar s that inf st t h d ay
n e e e ,
S hall f o ld th ir t nts lik t h Ar ab s e e , e e ,
A d as sil e ntl y s te al aw ay
n .
1 0
HE N RY W ADS W OR TH LO NGFELLO W 21 5
N o w h e r e m ay t he t ho u ght , t he f e e ling its e l f ris e fro m ,
unk no wn d e pths b u t t he singe r had b e e n in spi r itu al c o m

n io n ship w ith gr e at m in d s o f t he p ast an d t he pr e s e nt ;
p a
an d a c o nsci o u sn e ss d im s u spici o u s an d h e sitatin g at, , ,
first c a m e at l e ngth t o p e rvad e e ac h sid e o f t he Atl antic

,
th at hi s l e ss e r instr u m e nt b e ats tim e in unis o n with t he ir s .
N e v e r in d e e d w as th e r e a m o r e gr at e f u l a m o r e e n t hu si
, , ,
as t ic symp at hy t ha n his H e r e j o ic e d t o dw e ll up o n gr an d .
d e e ds as we ll as u p o n grand t h o ughts Hi s f ancy h au nte d .
t he sc e n e s o f m e m o r ab l e acti o ns an d t he h o m e s o f t h e ir ,
d o e rs F o r m any o f u s it is imp o ssib l e t o visit citi e s wh e r e

.
he has b e e n wi tho u t tr acing hi s f o o tst e ps by a gr a ci o u s

l ight the y h av e l e ft b e hi n d the m W e fin d hi m in N u r e m .
b e rg atte nd in g u p o n t he i ll u stri o us in s o ng an d ar t
H r wh n Ar t was still r li g i n wi th a sim pl e r ve r nt he art
e e, e e o , , e e ,
Li v d d l ab o re d Al b r cht D ii
e an u t h E v ang li s t o f Art e re r , e e
H nc i sile nc a d i s rro w to ilin g still wi th b sy h nd

e e n e n n o , u a ,
Like mig rant h w nd r d s ki g f t h B e tt r L nd

an e e a e e , ee n or e e a .
E mi g i t i t h in s c ri pt i o n
r av s t h t o m b s to n wh r h li s
e on e e e e e e
D ad h i t b u t d p r t d fo t h artist ne v r di s
e — e as no
— e e r e e e .
F air r s ms t h an c i nt city a d t he s n shine s ms m r f ir

e ee e e , n u ee o e a ,
T hat h nc e has tr d i t p av m nt that he nc ha b r athe d it

e o o s e e , o e s e s
11
ai r !
His v e rs e b e au t ifi e s W u r t z b u r g s minste r t o we rs with t he ’
m e m o ry o f W al te r v o n d e r Vo ge lwe id t he Minn e singe r ,
an d his b e qu e st t o hi s t e ach e rs in t he ar t o f s o ng
Th s t h b ard f l v d part d u e o o e e e
A d f l filling hi d sir n ,
u s e e ,
O hi t m b t h b irds w r f as te d
n s o e e e e
By t he c hildr n f t h cho ir e o e .
Th r th y sa g th ir m rr y c aro ls
e e e n e e ,
S a g t h ir l d o v ry s id n e au s n e e e
And t he am th ir v i c s tte r d n e e o e u e
W as t h nam o f V ge lw id e e o e .
Tim e l ng ffac d t h inscri pti ns
has o e e e o
O t h c l ist r s f n r l s t n s
’
n e o e u e a o e ,
And traditi n o nly t lls o e us
W h r r e p o se t he p o e t s b n s
e e
’
o e .
B ut r nd t h v ast C ath dral

a ou e e ,
B y sw t cho s mul ti pli d ee e e e ,
Still t h birds r p at t he l g nd
e e e e e ,
And t h nam f V g lwe id e e o o e .

12
If I we re e ve r as d o ubtl e ss I sh all n e v e r b e in t he Pal ac e

, ,
o f P al e r mo m o d e rn as i t is I sh o u l d e xp e ct
, ,
thro gh t he o p n windo w l d a d cl ar u e , ou n e ,
T h ar t h m nks c hant i t h C hap l

o e e ar
o n e e ne ,
Ab v t h stir a d t m l t f t h str t
o e e n u u o e ee
H ha p t d wn t he mig hty f r m th ir s t
e s u o o e ea ,
And has x lt d the m f lo w d g r e

e a e o e e
1“
F o r th o us an d s o f t r av e ll e rs sinc e L o ngf e ll o w h av e , ,
As t he v ning shad s d s c nd d
e e e e e e ,
L w a d l o u d a d sw t l y b l nd d
o n n ee e e ,
L w at tim s a d l
o d t tim s e n ou a e ,
And cha g ing lik a p o t s rhym e s

n e e
’
R ng t h b a t if l wild c him s
u e e u u e
F r m t h b lf ry i t h m rk t
o e e n e a e
Of t h anc i nt t wn f Br g s
e e o o u e .
Th e y st ill h ave h e ar d b l e n ding with th e ir dre ams , ,
tho s m agi c n mb rs e u e ,
As th y l u d p ro cl aim e d t h fli ght
e o e
And sto l n march f t h night e es o e
Till th ir c hi m s i sw t c llisi n
e e n ee o o
Mi gl d wi th ac h w and ri g visi o n
n e e e n ,
Mi gl d wi th t h f r tun t lling
n e e o e- e
G i p y b ands f dr ams a d f anci s

s - o e n e ,
W hi ch amid t h wast xp anse s e e e
Of t h s il nt l and o f t ranc s
e e e
H v the ir s o li tary dw lli g

a e e n .
“
P e cul iar an d e x o tic as fo r tw e nti e th c e ntury Eu ro p e

, , ,
-
,
An d n ow a fl
c h as may ask
A drau ght fro m t he no b le B acharach c ask
ago n
An d I will b e g o ne tho gh I kno w f ll w e ll

fo r
,
su
u u
,
T he c e ll ar s a c he e rf ll e r p l ac e than t he c e ll
’ “
u .
The d e v o ti o n t o hi s ar t of t he Fri ar in t he Scrip to rium as ,
he c l o s e s w o r k at dusk , an d gaz e s fr o m his wind o w m ake s ,
a d e l ightfu l c o ntr ast
Ho w sw t t he ee fair t he s c enair is Ho w e
I wish I had as l o v e l y a g re e n
T o p ain t m y l ands c ape s an d m y l e av e s
H o w t he sw all o ws twi tt e r u nd e r t he e av e s
The re n o w the re i s o n e in he r ne st
, ,
I c an j u st c atch a g lim p se o f he r he ad a d b re ast n ,
An d will sk e tc h he r t hu s in he r q ie t no o k u ,
F o r t he m arg in o f m y G o s p e l b o o k .
17
And l astl y t he e cst asy o f Mo nk F e li x — t au ght by t he

, , ,
l aps e o f a hu n d r e d ye ars in as m any m o m e nts o f a bir d s ’
s ng h t n o thi ng wi th G o d is i mp o ssibl e is s o m e thing

o , t a —
t o d re am o f
On e m o rning all al n , o e,
O t o f hi c nv nt o f g ray s t n
u s o e o e,
Into t h f o re st ld r d ark r g ray e r

e , o e ,
e , ,
H i li p s m vi n g a if i p ray r
s o s n e ,
H i h ad su nk n p o n hi b re as t
s e e u s ,
As i a dr am f r st
n e o e ,
Walk e d t h M nk F lix Al l ab t e o e . ou
T h b r ad sw t s nshi n e l y wi tho t
e o , ee u a u ,
Filli g t h su mm r ai ;
n e e r
A d wi thin t he w o dl
n ds as h tro d o an e ,
T h t wili g ht w as lik t h Tr c e f G o d
e e e u o
Wi th w rldly w o e a d c aro n e
Und r him lay t h g ld n m ss

e e o e o
And ab ve him t h b ghs o f h ml o ck tre s

o e ou e -
e
W av d a d m ad t he sig f t h C r ss
e , n e n o e o ,
A d whi sp e r d th ir B ne di c i t e s
n e e e .
HE N RY W ADS W ORTH LO N GFELLO W 219
H e he e d d o t b t p nd e re d e n , u o
On t he v l m i hi h nd, o u e n s a
A v o l m o f S int A g stin
u e a u u e,
W h r in h r ad f t he un s n
e e e e o ee
Spl nd rs o f G d s g re at t wn
e ou o
’
o
I t he nkn o wn l nd
n u a ,
And wi th hi y s c st d wn
, s e e a o
I h mili ty h s id
n u , e a
I b li v O G d
e e e, o ,
What h r in I hav r d e e e ea ,
B t al s
u ,
I do at nd e rst and no u
And 10 h h ard e e
T he s dd n sing ing f a b ird

u e o ,
A sn w whi te b ird that f r m a cl o u d

o -
, o
D r pp d d wn
o e o ,
An d am o ng t he b ranc h s b ro wn e
S at s i g i g n n
So sw t a d c l ar a d l o d
ee , n e , n u ,
I t s m d a t h sand h p t i g ring ing

ee e ou ar s r n s .
And t h M nk F l ix cl s d his b k
e o e o e oo ,
A d l ng l o g
n o , n ,
Wi th r pt r s l o k a u ou o ,
H list n d t t h s ng
e e e o e o ,
An d hardly b r the d o s tirre d ea r ,
Until he aw as i a visi n s , n o ,
T h l nd E ly si an
e a ,
An d i t h h av e nl y c i ty he ard
n e e
An g lic f t e ee
fl
F all t h g ld n fl gging o f t he stre e t
on e o e a .
And he wo uld f in a
H av c a ght t h wo ndro u s b ird

e u e ,
B t s t r v i v ain
u o e n
F o it r w away aw ay e , ,
Fa v r hi ll a d d ll
r o e n e ,
And i st ad f it s sw e t singing
n e o e
H h ard t he Co nv nt b e ll
e e e
S dd enly i t h sil nc e rin gin g

u n e e
F o t he s e rvi c e o f no nd ay
r o .
A d he r t r ac e d
n e
H i s p athway h m e w ard s adl y a d i haste o n n .

“
If m any pr o du cti o ns o f Lo ngfe ll o w s l at e r ye ars di d
t he
’
n o t o ft e n ris e t o t he l e v e l o f t hi s y e t t hings o f b e au t y w e r e ,
int e rsp e rs e d an d alre ady he had p e rm an e nt l y tri u mph e d

o v e r pr e j u dic e an d f a stidi o u sn e ss H ad he b e e n o n e t o .
b o ast he mi ght h av e c l aim e d th at Engl ish l it e r at u r e c o u l d

,
m o r e e asi l y d isp e ns e wi th s e ve r al o f his bri ll i ant c o nte mp o

r ari e s th an wi th hi m N e ve rth e l e ss I c ann o t but susp e ct
— .
,
c ann o t b u t f e ar th at t he singe r o f t he w o fu l an d s we e t ,
tr age dy o f Gr an d P r é o f t he In d i an E dd a— as vari o us as -
,
i t is h arm o ni o us — o f t he fr ank n e ss o f t he bright Purit an

m aid e n o f t he G o l d e n Le g e nd its e l f m ay s o m e t i m e s h av e
, ,
sigh e d t o hims e lf as his br u sh l ai d o n his si l ve ry m o o n ,

-
l ight o r e v e ning aft e rgl o w may h av e b e e n t e mpt e d t o

,
—
e nvy t he st o rmy p assi o n at e n e ss o f m e mb e rs o f his cr aft
b o th in t he N e w W o rl d an d t he O l d — m ay h av e c o mpl ain e d
o f his Mu s e th at she w as p l a cid l y c o nt e nt t o r e fl e ct t he
r adi anc e o f o th e r l u m in ari e s inst e ad o f burning with fir e

of he r o wn .
T he rk f H ry W d w rth L gf ll w C m
P t ic loe a pl t
W o s o en a s o on e o . o e e
E d iti L d
on G rg R tl d g S
. on1 865 on : eo e ou e e o n s, .
1
S g f t h S il t L d Fr m t h G rm f S li
on o e en an . o e e an o a s .
7
E v g li P rt I
an e n e, a .
3
Th S g f Hi w t h XI X T h G h t
e on o a a a, , e os s .
4
F t t p fA g l
oo s e A Gl m f S hi
s o n e s .
5
ea o un s ne .
T h B id g e T h Light f St r
r e .
7
e o a s .
5
Th R p r
. d t h Fl w r
e ea e an e o e s .
9
Bli d B t im n ar eus .
1 °
Th D y i D t z 5 6 7 10 1 1
e a s o n e , s an as , , , , .
11
N r m b rg u e W lt r e V g lw id .
17
a e von o e e .
1“
Ki g R b rt f Sic ily
n T h B l fry f Br g
o e C rill o . e e o u es : a on
1“
T h B l g r d City
e T h G ld L g d i
e e a ue e . e o en e en , v .
17
I bid . I bid ii 1“
.
, .
he mo unt e d t he p u l pit His p o e ms t he s e rio us as m u ch
.
,
a s t he b u r l e squ e an d s atiric al t he Gh o st S e e r an d H u ng e r
-
, ,
an d C o ld e q u all y wi th t he B igl o w P ap e rs ar e p art o f t he

, ,
hist o ry o f t he p e ri o d an d its th o u ght Ju st ly t o appr e c iat e .
e ith e r s o rt his r e a d e r must in m m o ry o r in f ancy d e sc e n d

, e , ,
int o t he fi e ld an d i m agi ne hi ms e lf a c o mb at ant

,
.
A ne c e ss ary r e s u l t is s o m e ris k o f c o nfusing in t he p o e try

m att e r an d spirit T he e the r e al is ap t t o ge t ch ain e d t o
.
an inc i d e nt antiqu at e d o r d e ad Wh e n t he s u bj e ct m att e r

.
-
is phi l o s o phy it is phi lo s o phy b l o wn r e d ho t with d isp u t a

,
-
ti o n T he s o ng which at t he tim e it w as s u ng w as its e l f

.
,
t he c o m m e nt n o w its e lf w ants c o m m e ntari e s

, N o t e v e ry .
b o dy is ab l e an d c o m p ar ativ e l y fe w ar e at p ains t o r e ad
, ,
b e twe e n t he li n e s The n t o o t he p o e t s im p e t u o us fl u e ncy

.
’
a d d s t o t he t u rm o i l His f ancy e x u l ting in t he ch anc e s o f

.
a fi e ry c o n fli ct wh e th e r t o e n d in a vict o ry o r a r o u t
, ,
w o u ld b u rst int o a r u s h o f v e rs e On it sp e d d is d ai ni ng .
,
t o b e st aye d w hi l e th e r e w as a p u b l ic sti ll p assi o n at e

e n o u gh t o s u pp l y r e a d e rs As I t u rn p age aft e r p age it
.
,
is t ant al izing t o f e e l th at a l iving id e a a b u rnin g th o u ght
fl
, ,
is g asping fo r br e ath b e n e ath a cin d e r pi l e o f n e w sp ap e r -
w r angl ings o r o f fr e e fi ght s in C o ngr e ss T o its l o ve rs

,
-
.
p o e try is s e lf su ffi c in g a b e ing with a c o mpl e te l if e o f its

-
,
o wn ,
n e ith e r a c o n agr at i o n n o r a sc affo ld ing Th e y ar e
, .
n o b e tt e r p l e as e d w h e n t he b ard ab an d o ns p a rty st rif e ,
an d t ak e s as his l e gitim at e an d n o rm al v o c ati o n t o

, ,
phi l o s o phy .R e ad e rs o f Lo we ll ar e ge n e r all y b e twe e n

Scylla an d Ch arybdis Th e y ar e o ffe r e d th e ir ch o ic e o f
.
vit al s o ci al an d m e t aphysic al pr o b l e ms t o gu e ss o n e m o r e ,
i ntric at e t h an an o t he r H e n e v e r s at d o w n t o wri t e a l in e
.
with o u t a driving s e ns e o f a m e ss age t o d e l ive r n o w d o w n ,
u p o n e art h an d n o w al o ft a m o ng t he st a rs
, His pu b l ic .
is e xp e cte d t o f o ll o w an d d e ciphe r t he wh o l e Wis d o m .

,
JAMES RUSSELL LO W ELL 2 23
ge n e r o us in dign ati o n ph o spho ric wi t c riticism c o nstr uctiv e

, , ,
as w e ll as d e structiv e l ightnings o p e n ing He av e n as th e y

,
stri k e t he e art h ar e all th e r e T he pity is th at t o o o fte n

, .
e ith e r t he thi n k e r has o v e r l ai d t he p o e t o r t he inspir ati o n ,
is p l aying ab o u t a d e a d the m e It is as wh e n a c anv as has .
r o tte d u n d e r a maste rpi e c e o f ar t .
T he p o e t h o we v e r is th e r e alw ays th o ugh it m ay b e

, , , , ,
in t he b ac kgr o un d it is t he r e ad e rs I am afr aid w ho ar e , ,
l i k e l y t o b e in d e fau l t T he g e n e r al p u b l ic n e ithe r inte r e sts

.
its e lf in byg o n e p artis anships n o r has sp ar e inte l lige nc e ,
fo r di al e ctics Eve n an e n t hu si ast fo r p o e try d o e s n o t

.
e xp e ct t o h av e t o k e e p t he fi r e o n his h e arth al ight with
t he as he s o f y e st e rd ay o r st e a m c o al N o n e c o u ld p e rc e iv e
,
.
m o r e cl e arly ho w he miss e d p o pu l arity fo r his grave r ve rs e ,
o r b e ar t he le ss m o r e ch e e rf u ll y th an Lo w e ll hi ms e l f ,
wh stri ving Parnassu s t o c lim b

o
’
s
Wi th a wh l b al f isms ti d t o g the r wi th rhy m

o e e o e e e
1
an d , visiting Ch artr e s ,
f e e d my e y e to ,
An d gi v e t o F ancy o e c l ar ho lid ay n e ,
Sc ar c e aw t h minste r fo t he tho ghts it stirre d

s e r u
T he p ainte d wind o ws f r aking g l o o m wi th g l o w , e ,
D sking t he s nshine whi c h the y se e m t o c he e r

u u ,
Me e t sy mb o l o f t he se nse s an d t he so u l ,
An d the who l pil e g rim wi th t he N o rt hm an s t ho u g ht

’
e ,
Of l if an d d e a th a d d o o m l if e s e qu al fe ?
’
e , n ,
e
Wh e n t he p o e t in him has c l e ar p o ss e ssi o n o f t he fie l d ,
t he s a dd e r an d m o r e p e nsiv e ph as e s o f h u m an e xp e r i e nc e
still ar e tho s e t o which he t u rns by pr e fe re nc e H e m o u rns .
t he d e at h o f an i nf ant so n
A ch r b w h h d l st hi w ay
e u o a o s
A d w nd r d hi t h r
n a hi st y e e e , so s a
Wi th s w as sh rt a d tw s m st m t
u o , n
’
a o ee
That h sho ld b o d l v r i arth s c lo d

e u e n e e n e
’
,
N dt p or n ee a d c l ans his f t o au se n e e ee
T s t and b f r hi G d
o e o e s o
Oh b l t w rd E v rm o r
—
, es o e e
3
T he c o ntr ast b e t w e e n u niv e rs al l au ghing b u sy n at u r e an d ,
t he s u dd e n p aus e an d m u t e n e ss o f d e ath s u rp ris e s an d ,
b e wi ld e rs hi m
T he b h ms o
ee ar nd t h bl ss m d vin
u n ou e o o e e
W hirs t h light h mming b ird t h c ri c k t chirp s

e u -
e e
T h l c t s shrill al ar m s t i g s t h
’
e o us a u n e e r
H rd by t h c ck sh ts l stily f r m f arm t o f arm

a , e o ou u o ,
H i s c h r y b r t h rs t lling f t h
ee un o e , e o e s ,
Answ r till f w y t h j y nc di s
e ,
ar a a e o a e e
W en v r kn w b f r ho w G d had fill d
e e e e o e o e
T h s mm r ai wi th happy l iving s un ds
e u e r o
All ro nd s ms u v r pl s f life
us ee an o e u o ,
And y t t h o e d ar he r t li s c ld a d still
e e n e a e o n .
4
H e g az e s d o wn w hi l e he sh u d d e rs at t he abyss y e t de e p e r
, , ,
th an t he gr av e which s e p ar at e s t he n e ar e st an d d e ar e st
,
fr o m t he d ark e n e d min d
T h r th sitte st o w a d th n tho m e an st
e e ou n n e u e
T h d o st t lk wi th wh t w c anno t
ou a a e se e ,
L k t t wi th a y
oo es a d btf l
us n e e so ou u ,
I t d th p t
o v ry far f ro m th
u us e ee
Th r th u sitt st w wo ld f in b e nigh th
e e o e e u a ee ,
B t w kn w th t i t a n v r b
u e o a c n e e e .
Strange it is that in this o p e n b rightne ss , ,
T ho u sho ldst sit i su ch a narr o w c e ll

u n
Stra g e it is that tho u sho u lde st b e o l o ne so m e

n s
Wh r tho se a e who l o ve the e all so we ll

e e r
N o t s o m u c h o f t he e i s l e ft am o g s
‘
n u
sA t he hu m u tliv i g t he hu she d b ll o n e .
5
A k in t o t he attr acti o n — wit h m o r e sti ll in it o f t he

a ttr a cti o n o f r e p u l si o n — which dr a ws hi m t o t he c o nt e m
xt m o rni g so m e thin g he avily
Ne n
Ag ain st t he o p e nin g d o o r d id we igh ,
And the re fro m sin a d so rr o w f re e

, n ,
A wo m a o n t he t hre sho ld lay n .
wh m t h h art f m sh ts t
Fo r , o e e o an u ou ,
S m tim s t h h ar t f G d t ak s i
o e e e e o o e n ,
And f nce s th m ll r nd ab t
e e a ou ou
Wi th sil nc mid t h w rld l o d d ie e

’
e o
’
s u n .
7
B u t fo r s o u ll e ss gr e e d fo r t he irr e d e e m ab l y l o st b o ndsm e n
,
o f g o l d w h o m he m e e ts in t he n o isy Ci ty s str e e ts his cr e e d

’
, ,
sp ar e s n o t a g l im m e r
T h y p ss m by like sh d ws c r wd
e a e c ro wds a o , o s on ,
D im g h s t s o f m that h v r t a d f o
o en , o e o n r ,
H gging th ir b di s r d th m lik thin shro ds

u e o e o un e ,
—
e u
Wh r in t h ir s l s w r b rie d l g g
e e e ou e e u on a o .
Lo the y wan d e r ro u nd t he w o rld t he ir g rav

ho w , e,
Who s e v e r g api g m aw by s ch is fe d
e n u ,
Gibb e ri g at livin g me a d idly rav

n n , n e,
o nl y t r u ly li v b t y a e d ad
’
W e , , e, u e r e .
Al as po o r f e l t he ano inte d y e m ay trac

e s, e e
A d e ad s o u l s e pit aph in e v ry f ac
’
e e
H appi l y he p o ss e ss e d an d fr o m tim e t o t im e u s e d t he , ,
gift o f simpl e sw e e tn e ss as w e ll a s t ho s e o f pr e ach e r an d ,
j u dge R e ad e rs if the y pl e as e m ay su n the ms e l ve s in p u r e

.
, ,
ch arm s e e k ing n o t hi ng fu rth e r T he d e afn e ss t o divin e

, .
singing unti l t he m instr e l has d e p art e d b ac k t o his n ativ e

,
H e av e n w as n e v e r m o r e pr e t t i l y m o r al iz e d th an in t he
,
b all a d o f t he e xi l e o f Ph o e b u s Ap o ll o fr o m O l ymp u s t o t he
sh e e p fo ld s o f King A d m e tu s
-
M g r nt e d that hi p ch w a wis
en a s s ee s e,
B t wh n a g l nc th y c u , g ht e a e e au
Of hi lim grac d w m an s y s
s s
'
e an o
’
e e ,
Th y l gh d a d c alle d him g d f n ght

e au e , n oo - o r- au .
JAM ES RUSSELL LO WELL 22 7
Yet fte r he w as d e ad a d go n e
a n ,
And e his m e mo ry d i m
’
en ,
E ar th se e m e d m o re sw e e t t o li v e u p o n ,
Mo re ful l o f l o ve b e c au se o f him , .
And d ay by d ay mo re ho l y g r w e
E a c h s p o t whe r he had t r o d e ,
Till afte r p o e ts o nly kne w-
The ir fi st b o rn b ro the r as a g d
r - o .
“
As his p e n w an d e rs ab o ut t he gl ad e s t he f o r e st b e c o m e s ,
a w o o dl and e nc hant e d
T he g re at Au g s t no o n li g ht u ,
Thro u gh myr iad rifts slante d ,
Le af a d b o le thi ckl y s pri kl

n n e
Wi th fli cke rin g g o ld
fl
The re i warm A gu st gle am i g
n u n ,
Wi th q u ick sile nt b ighte n i n gs , r ,
F ro m m ad o w l ands r o aming
e -
,
T h fi e y t winkl e s
e r -
H i s fi t fu l he a t li g htni g -
n s .
T he li ttl f o u nt twinkl e s
e
I t s sil v e r s aint s b lls

’
-
e ,
That n o spri te ill b o di g -

n
M ay m ake his ab o d e i n
T he se inno c e nt d lls e .
10
H e dr e a ms bright dr e a ms as he w atch e s t he d e spis e d ,
d an de l i o n fringing in b li t h e s o m e M ay t he d u sty r o a d wi t h
, ,
h arm l e ss g o l d
Th n think I o f d e p shad o ws t he g rass
e e on ,
Of m e ad o ws w he re i s t he c attl g r az e
n un e ,
Whe r as t h b r e z e s pass
e, e e ,
T h g le ami g ru she s l an a th u sand way s

e n e o
Of l av e s t hat sl u m b r in a c l o u d y m ass
e e ,
rO whi te n in t he win d o f w a te rs b l ue
That f ro m t he di tanc sparkl e thro u gh s e
S o m wo o dland gap a d o f a sky ab o v

e , n e ,
Wh e re o e whi te cl o d like a tray l m b d o th m o v

n u , s a , e .
He ave n an d e arth s e e m t o m e e t in hi s t al e o f t he Ch rist

P 2
fl
l ik e Y u sso u f s d e al ing w ith t he o u tc ast w h o m he w as
’
,
he l ping wi th h o rs e an d m o n e y t o e e t he a v e ng e rs o f
bl o o d
O S he ik I c anno t l e av e t he e so
,
I will re p ay t he e all t his t ho u has t d o n e
Unto that I b rahim w ho l w t hy so s e n
T ak e thri c e t he g ld s aid Y u sso u f fo r wi th th o ,

’
, ee
I t o t h d e se rt n v e r t o re t rn
n e , e u ,
My o e b l ac k tho g ht shall rid away f ro m m

n u e e
First b rn fo who m by d ay a d night I y e arn

-
o ,
r n ,
B al a c d a d j st a e all o f G o d s d e cre e s
n e n u r
’
T ho u a t av g e d m y fi st b o rn sl e e p in p e ac e
r en ,
r - 12
R e a d e r l i k e p o e t w i ll b e h au nt e d by t he pict u r e o f t he
, ,
m aid e n att e nd e d h o m e fr o m a d anc e an d l e ft at he r d o o r ,
h o l ding a c and l e t o l igh t he r c av al i e r as he driv e s aw ay ,
d o w n t he r ainy d ar k ave nu e ,
T he v isio n o f s c ar c e a m o m e nt ,
A d hardl y m ark d at t h t im
n e e e,
I t c o m e s nb idd n t o ha nt m
u e u e,
Lik e a sc rap f b allad rhy m o -

e .
H ad she b a ty W ll n o t what the y c all so

e u e ,
Y o u m ay find a tho u s and as f air

A d y e t t h r e s h r f a c e i n m y m e m o ry
’
n e e
Wi th o sp e ci al cl aim t o b e the r
n e .
As I sit so me tim s i t he twilight e n ,
A d c all b ac k t lif i t h c als

n o e n e o
Old f ac e s a d h p s a d f a c i s n o e n n e
L o g b ri d— g o o d r e t t o t h ir s u l
n u e s e o s
H f ac hin o t i t he e m b e rs
er e s es u n
I e h ho lding t h li g ht
s e er e ,
A d he ar t he c ru ch f t he g rav l
n n o e ,
A d t he swe p o f t h rai t hat ig ht

n e e n n .
T is a f ac e t hat c a n v r g ro w o ld e r
’
n e e ,
That n ve r c an p art wi th i t s gl e am
e ,
T is a g rac i o s p o s s sio n f o re v e r
’
u es
F o i s it n o t all a dre am ?
r
13
Pap e rs fo r w h o m L o ngfe ll o w is as a c o mp at ri o t w ho e v e n
, ,
ar e f a mi l i ar with t he n a m e s o f Whitti e r an d B ryant w o u l d ,
b e a m az e d t o h e a r o f Ja m e s Russ e ll Lo w e ll as a m ong t he
fl
w o r ld s p o e t s — Y e t he is
’
.
T he Po tic l W rk f J m R ll L w ll H h ld
e a o s o a es u ss e o e . o u se o t
E d i io n .
B t
o s on :H ght M if i C 1 882
ou on, n c .
, .
A F ble f Critic
1
a or T h C ath d r l s .
7
e e a .
Th
3
di (E rli r P m )
r en o a a e oe s .
O t h D ath f
n e Fri d Child (Mi c ll
e o P m)
a en
’
s s e an e o u s oe s .
T h D rk
5
e d Mi d (U d r t h W ill w )
a en e n n e e o s .
H g r a d C ld (Mi c ll
5
un e n P m) o s e an e o u s oe s .
T h F rl r (E rl i r P m )
7
e o o n a e oe s .
T h Str t (S
8
e t) ee o nn e s .
Th S h p h rd f K i g A d m t
e e e(Mi c ll o P m) n e us s e an e o u s oe s .
Th F
1 °
t i f Y th (U d r t h W ill w )
e o un a n o ou n e e o s .
11
T th D
o d li e(M i c ll
an P m) e on s e an e o u s oe s .
17
Y us f (U d r t h W ill w )
so u n e e o s .
A E mb r P i ct r
n e u e
11
I t h T wil ight
n e
E D W AR D F I T Z G E RA L D
1 809 — 1 883
IT is at o nc e e asy an d h ard t o acc o unt fo r t he Fi t z Ge r ald

Cu l t T he fe rv o u r o f m any b e l i e v e rs in t he go sp e l pr o
.
po u nd e d acc o rding t o Ed ward F it z Ge r ald by t he Pe rsi an

, ,
’
astr o n o m e r p o e t is int e ll igib l e e n o u gh

-
,
T he f ait h is t hat o f
.
Epicur u s witho u t t he inc u bus o f a phi l o s o phi c al syst e m .
N o n e c o u l d b e simp l e r o r m o r e ch e e rf u ll y pr a ctis e d :
, Live
y o u r l if e o n e arth a s if e a rth , n o t y o u w e r e e,t e rn al as if
t he r e we r e n e ithe r He ave n n o r He ll Live fo r t he d ay.
,
wi t ho u t c o nc e rn fo r t he m o rr o w o r if th e r e b e a m o rr o w
, ,
a n y m o r e fo r th at th an fo r y e st e r d ay Pl ay if y o u c an
.
,
find n o b e tte r dive rsi o n wi t h w h at e ve r th e o ri e s o r d o gm as

, ,
r e li gi o u s o r o the rwis e y o u p l e as e N e ve r at all e v e nts

,
.
, ,
allo w th e m t o c o l o ur o r c l o ud y o ur fl e e ting m o m e nts Yo u r .
activ e busin e ss i s t o t ak e ad v ant age o f t he p l e asur e s o f
t he b o dy w hi l e y o u h av e a b o dy
, . Esp e ci all y e nj o y m u sic ,
an d dri n king ; if in a g ard e n o f r o s e s w ith a f air c o m p ani o n

, ,
s o m u ch t he b e tt e r Th e r e in lie s all yo ur d u ty whi c h is o n l y

.
,
t o yo u rs e lf N e v e r was a m o r e u ne the r e all y agr e e ab l e cr e e d

’
.
pre ach e d B ut m any o f F it z Ge r ald s r e ad e rs w ho ab ho r

.
’
O m ar Kh ayyam s phi l o s o phy e nthu si astic all y appr e ci ate t he

’
v e rs e an d i t is m u ch l e ss diffic u l t t o e xpl ain acc e pt anc e o f

t he o n e th an w hy t he o th e r s atisfie s t o t he p o int o f r aptur e .
Fi t z Ge r ald int e rp o l at e d int o t he l ab o ri o us in d o l e nc e he

l o v e d a b ar e m o dic u m o f p o e tic al wo r k Of t he p ie c e s .
dir e ctl y o rigin al t he m o st i mp o r t ant is B r e d fi e ld H all T he .
d e scriptio n o f t he h o m e o f s u cc e ssive sq u ir e s o f his r ac e is

d e l ici o u s l y simpl e
Lo , an ngli h mansi n f nd d
E s o ou e
I thn ld r J am s s r ign
e e e e
’
e ,
Q aint a d state ly a d s rr nd d
u n ,
n u ou e
Wi th a p asto ral d m ain o .
With w ll t imb d l aw e -
d g ard ns er
’
n an e ,
And wi th m any pl asant m d a e ea ,
S kirt d by t h l fty c v rts

e e o o e
W he r t h har a d p h sant fe d
e e e n ea e .
Fl k d i t i wi t h g o dly s t b l s
’
an s o a e ,
d by c o v al t r s
’
S h lt e er e ee
S it lift s i t h
o st g ab l ss on e e
T ward t h dist nt G rman s as

o e a e e
W h r it nc di
e e o d t h sm k e sc e r n
’
e o e
Of ld o a b att l s fa aw ay
se -
e r
S aw vi ct o ri o s N l o n s t p m as t s
’
u e s o
Ancho ri g i H ll sle y B ayn n o e .
B t what v r s t o rm mi ght ri o t
u e e ,
C nno n a a d tr m p t ring
a re r, n u e ,
Still ami d th s m e ad ws q ie t e e o u
D id t h y arl y vi o l t s p ring
e e e
Still H av n s starry hand su sp nd d

e e
’
e e
That light b al anc o f t h d w e e e ,
That ch nig ht o arth de sc nd e d

ea n e e ,
And ach m ning ro s an w

e or e e
And t h anci nt h s sto o d r aring

e e ou e e
U di t b d h
n s ur chi mn y s high
’
er e ,
A d h gil d e d v an s till v ring

n er e s ee
T ward ach q art r f t h k y

o e u e o e s
W hil lik wav t w v s cc e e din g

e e e o a e u
Thr gh t he w rld o f j y a d strif e

ou o o n ,
H s h ld aft r h s h ld sp din g
ou e o e ou e o ee
H and d t h t o r ch f lif
e on e o e .
H r t h y l iv d a d h r t h y g r t d
e e e e , n e e e ee e ,
Maids d m atr s s ns a d sir s

an on , o n e ,
W d ri g i it walks s at d
an e n n s , or e e
R nd it h spit ab l fi r s
ou s o e e
pl ays an d o f thr e e Gr e e k trage d ie s O e dip u s at Th e b e s
, , , ,
an d in Attic a an d Ag a m e mn o n H e ad d e d o n e o f Vi rgi l s
’
.
,
g ard e n an d r e n d e rings o f O m ar Khayyam s Rub aiyat an d

,
’
,
Jai mi s S al a m an an d A hj al A ll t e stify t o unsp aring p ains

’
.
an d an e xtr ao r d in ary gift in hi m fo r im agining hims e lf int o
his au th o r At tim e s w e might al m o st say th at he w as t he

.
au th o r as in t he t al e by t he Argiv e Ch o rus in t he Agam e m
n on ,
t ak e n fr o m A e schyl u s o f t he u se by F at e o f t he ,
’
p assi o ns o f G o d s an d M e n t o acc o mp l ish its dr e ad d e c re e s .
Th at m agnific e nt Od e l aid a sp e ll u p o n m e wh e n l o ng ago

I c a m e up o n i t an d t he ch ar m w o r k s sti ll
S o n o l at sard ni c F ate
o r e o
Wi th M a ag ainst hims lf c o nspir s n e e
P ts o n t h m ask o f his d ir s
u e es e
Up t h s te p s f Time l at
e o e e
Le ads him b li de d wi th hi s p rid n e,
A d g athe ring as he g s al ng
n oe o
T h f l f hi s i cid
fl
e ue o s u e
Until having t o p t t he py r e
Whi ch D stiny p rmi ts o high r e e n e ,
Am bitio n s ts hims lf fi ; e e on re
I o
n ag ct i o l ik t h c rim
n ra n e e e
C nspi cu o s thr u gh t h wo rld a d tim e

o u o e n ,
D o wn amidst hi s b raz e n walls

T h acc m l ate d Id l f alls
e u u o
T shap e l ss ash s ; D mi g d
o e e e o
U d r t he vu l g ar ho o f d wn tro d
n e o -
W h s n c k he t r o d
o e e t ye on no an e
T w e p hi f all
o e r li p t o i ghs , no s
F hi m a p r ay r ;
or if th r w r e or, e e e e,
N G o d t o li te n o r pl y
o s , r e .
The chi ld r e n h av e t o p ay fo r t he sin o f t he f ath e r an d s ir e ,
fo r t he g u i l t o f so n
Th s wi th ld P i m wi th hi r yal lin
u o r a , s o e,
Kindre d a d p pl y e t h v ry t o we r
n eo e a, e e s
Th y e hd i b il t by m as nry divi
cr o u c
’
n , u o ne
?
EDW ARD FITZGERALD 235
Th e n at t he th o u ght o f t he h o m e d e s o l at e d by He l e n s
,
’
fli ght t he st at e l y app ro v al o f t he f at e f u l d o o m up o n c r i m e
,
an d its ab e tt o rs b e c o m e s a fl o o d o f s o r r o wing sym p athy
with t he inj u r e d
Lik a dr am thro u gh sl e p she glid d
e e e e
Thro gh t h sil nt ci ty g ate
fl
u e e ,
B y a g il ty H rm s g id d u e e u e
O t h f at he d f t f T h ft
’
n e e r ee o e
L aving b tw n th s h l ft
e e ee o e s e e
And th se sh d t o light d disc rd

o e e e o ,
Un xting ish bl H te
e u a e a
Le aving him who m l ast h sh ld e s e ou ,
M ne la s b rav e a d g o d
e u n o ,
Sc r c b li ving i t h m t t d
a e e e n e u er
’
R m r in t h wo rse than t t d
u ou , e u er
’
Om n f t h w ail i g maid ns
e o e n e ,
Of t h shak n ho ary h ad
e e e
Of d se rt d b o ard a d b e d
e e n .
F o t h p hant o m o f t h l o s t
r e e e on
H t him i t h wo nte d plac s

aun s n e e
H all a d C ham b r whi ch h pac s

n e , e e
Hi th r Thi th r lis te i ng lo o king

e ,
e , n , ,
Phanto m l ik him lf l n ; -
e se a o e
Till h c o m s t l o ath t h f ac e s
e e o e e
Of t h m arb l m te C l ssi
e e u o o ,
G d lik F rms a d hal f di vin

o -
e o , n -
e,
F und rs f t h R y l l in
o e o e o a e,
W ho wi th all d q i t
’
alt e un r u e
Wi tn ss all a d m k
e si gn n a e no .
B t t h sil nc e o f t h c ham b rs
u e e e e ,
An d t he shak n h ary he ad e o ,
A d th v o i
n o f t h m o rning
e ce s j
e u
Wo me n a d o f o c an wailin g
fl
fl
, n e ,
Ove r whi ch wi th nav ailing u
Arms h re ac h s as t o h il e e , a
T h p hant o m f a flyi g s il
e o n a
All b t an w r Fl e d u d d s e ,
e e
F als ! d i h o d w r than d ad
e s on ur
’
o se e
N ight at l ast he dr e a ms an d She
Onc e m o re in m o re than b ridal b e au ty stands
B t e v e r a s h r ach s f o r th hi s hands
u ,
e e e ,
S li p s f ro m th m b ac k into t h vi wl ss d p
e e e e ee ,
On t ho se s o ft sile nt w ing s t hat w alk t h w ay s e l p

of s ee .
“
T he R u b ai yat h o we v e r is t h at by whic h Fi t z G e r ald l iv e s

, , ,
an d wi ll l iv e .It w e h av e t o s e arc h in o rd e r t o disc o v e r t he

s e cr e t o f t he p o e t s f a m e T he first f e e l ing w h e n r e ad e rs h av e
’
.
,
l e is u r e t o r e vi e w i mpr e ssi o ns is o f s u rpris e at t he in d i ff e r ,
e nc e t o t he que s t i o n o f t he tr ans l at o r s fid e l ity It is ’

.
a m att e r o f c o mp l e t e u nimp o rt anc e t o u s w h e th e r it b e
fl
a tr ans l ati o n at all At t he s a m e tim e all o f u s h o w e v e r
.
,
a bs o l u t e l y ign o r ant o f P e rsi an ar e c o nfi d e nt th a t if it b e , , ,
it is p e rf e ct in spiri t d ivin e l y d o n e a pl ane t e qu al t o

, ,
’
t he sun w hi ch c ast it as T e nnys o n m u ch t o o at t e ri n gly

’
, ,
at an y r at e t o O m a r sums it u p W e ar e t o o e nt i r e l y
4
, .
d o min at e d by a c o nsci o u sn e ss o f f o rc e c o mpr e h e ns iv e n e ss , ,
wi ll s u ffici e ncy t o b e disp o s e d t o qu e sti o n F it z Ge r ald s

, ,
’
right t o d e al as with his o wn .
T he m e r e l angu ag e in its e l astic str e ngth as o f st e e l

, ,
s e e m s t o h av e b e e n cr e at e d t o m ak e a w e ap o n o f an agn o s
t i c i s m indisting ui sh ab l e fr o m d o gm atism Ev e ry fr e sh .
artic l e in t he indict m e nt a g ainst o n e o r an o th e r o f t he
s e ve nty t w o e m u l o u s r e ligio ns o f t he w o r ld c u ts w ith t he

—
ke e nn e ss o f S u l t an S al a din s s w o r d F it z Ge r ald th o ugh ’

.
,
no f o ll o we r in hi s o w n m o st si mp l e r e gim e n o f O m ar
Kha yyam s phi l o s o phy o f t he s e ns e s w as r e s o l v e d t o d o his
’
,
t e n e ts j u stic e H e is scr u p u l o u s t o m ars hal t he m in all

.
the ir h e t e r o d o xic al e ffr o nt e ry with a c hall e nge t o o rth o d o xy ,
in an y p o sitiv e f o r m t o d o b e tt e r T he v igo u r wi th w hich .
t he g au n tl e t is h u r l e d is tr e m e n d o u s : an d t he d e fi anc e
’
is se t o ff w ith t he u t mo st c har m s o f r hy t h m T he t e x t u r e .
is a m o d e l o f p o e t ic j o in e ry Ev e ryw h e r e in e v e ry d e t ai l .
, ,
An d this re vi vi g H e rb who se te nde r g re e n
n
Fl e dg e s t he Rive r Lip o whi ch w l an -

n e e
Ah l e an p o i t li ght l y fo w ho kn o w s
u n r
F ro m what o nc e l o v ly Lip it sprin g s unse e n e
Ah m y B l o ved fi ll t he Cu p t hat c l ars

,
e ,
e
T D ay o f p ast R e g re t s a d F u tu re F ars
o -
n e
T o m o rr o w
-
W hy T o m o r o w I may b ,
-
r e
Mys lf wi th Ye ste rd ay s S e v n tho u sand Y e ars

e
’ ’
.
F o s o m e w e l o v e d t he l o v li e st a d t he b e st
r , e n
That f ro m his Vi t ag e ro lling Tim e hath p re st

n ,
H av dru k th ir C p a R o und o t w o b e fo r
e n e u r e,
And o n e by o n e c r p t sil nt ly t o re st e e .
An d w e that o w m ak e m e rry in t he R o o m
,
n
Th y le ft a d S u mm e r dre sse s in e w b l o o m
e ,
n n ,
Ou rse lve s mu st w e b e e ath t he C o u ch o f E ar th n
D e sc e nd— o u rs lv e s t o m ake a C o u ch— fo who m

e r
5
T he S ag e d e c l ar e s he had str u ggl e d ag ainst t he c o nvi cti o n

o f t he m o rt ali ty o f e v e ryt hi ng e art hl y
Myse lf whe n yo g d id e ag rly fr qu e nt un e e
D ct o r an d S aint an d he ard g re at arg m e nt

o ,
u
A b o t it a d ab o t b u t e v e rm o re
u n u
C am e o u t by t h s am e d o o r whe re i I we t
e n n .
With the m t he se e d o f Wisdo m d id I so w ,
An d wi th mi o wn hand wro u g ht t o m ak
ne i t g ro w e
An d t his w as all t he H arv e s t t hat I r ap d

’
e
I c am lik W a te r a d lik e Win d I go

’
e e , n .
H e had ask e d fo r e v i d e n ce w he t he r o f t he s e ns e s o r sp iritu a l , , ,
a g ainst t he tr agi c c o nc l u si o n an d in v a in
Stra g e is it n o t that o f t he myriads w ho

n ,
B e f o re u s pass d t he do o r o f D arkne ss thr o u g h

’
,
No t o re tu rn s t o te ll u s o f t he R ad
ne o ,
W hi ch t o disc o v e r w m t trav l t o o e us e .
7
W e ar e n o t hing he c o nc l u d e s at l ast b u t Sh ap e s o f Cl a y
, , ,
a n d r e as o n as w o u l d th e y in th e ir P o tt e ry if e n d o w e d with ,
sp e e ch
EDW ARD FITZGERALD 239
S aid o n e am o ng the m S u re l y n o t i v ain n
My s b st anc o f t he c o mm o n E ar th w as ta e n
’
u e
An d t o this Fi g re m o ul d e d t o b e b r o k e u , ,
O t ram pl e d b ac k t o shap e l e ss E art h ag ain

’
r .
T h n said a S c o nd N r a pe vish B y
e e e e
’
e o
W ld b r ak t h B wl f r m whi ch he dra k i
ou e e o o n n jo y
And H that wi th H i h nd t he V s l m ad
e s a e se e
Will re ly o t i aft r Wrath d st r y

su n n e e o .
’
Aft r a m me ntary il nc sp ak
e o s e e e
S m V ss l o f m re g ai l y Mak
o e e e a o un n e
Th y sn r at me f l a i g all awry
e ee or e n n
W hat d id t he H and th n f t h P tt e r sh k e o e o a e
W h re at s m e f t h l q ac i s Lo t
o e on e o e o u ou
I t hi k a S ufi p i pk i — w xin g ho t
n n a
All t is f P t a d P tte r T ll m th n
h — o e n o e e e ,
W h i t he P tte r p ray a d w ho t h P t 1 3
‘
o s o , , n e o
T he br e adt h an d gr asp o f t h o u ght t he Pr o te an gr ac e o f ,
t he h arm o ny h av e th e ir s e v e r al s har e s in t he f a sc in ati o n

,
t he h andf u l o f v e rs e e x e rts B u t s u c h m e r its d o n o t .
s o l ve t he pr o bl e m o f its asto ni shi n g d e gr e e th o u gh t he f u ll ,
ans w e r wi ll inc l u d e t he ir cc o p e r ati o n as ag e nts It is t he -

.
p e rso n al ity o f t he Man a r e al M an w hi ch e xpl ains t he , ,
e xtr ao r d in ar y r an k t he p o e m has ass e rt e d fo r its e l f in

l ite ratu r e an d u nfo r t u n ate l y tho u gh I am p e rs u ad e d with
, , , , ,
o u t Fi t z G e r a ld s int e nti o n p a r tl y in s o ci e ty its e lf A po e t s

’ ’
.
,
o w n c ha r ac t e r is alw ays a m ai n c o nditi o n o f t he p l ac e t o
b e assign e d t o hi m an d h e r e w e find a ge n ui n e E d w a rd
F it z Ge r ald e ve ryw he r e e xc e pt o n t he ti tl e p age , It is -

.
a m an l y , a d e q u at e pr e s e nc e al w ays R e al as we r e t he .
v e r si fi e r s w e signify u nd e r t he n a m e o f O m a r Kh a yyam ,
t he y d o n o t e qual Fit z G e r ald in r e al n e ss fo r u s H e is n o t .
t he l e ss r e al t o us t hat in his l if e tim e t he o n e q u ali ty he

m an ag e d fo r t he m o st p art t o hi d e w as his int e lle ctu al
a sc e nd ancy H e mo v e d in t he n arr o w e st o f o rbits n o t
.
,
disd aining intim acy wi t h hi s p o s t hu m o u s f ath e r in law t he - -

,
Qu ak e r b ank e r an d hymn w rite r w o rthy B e rn ard B art o n

, ,
-
, .
A lways he car e d l e ss fo r a d mir ati o n th an fo r affe cti o n ,
whic h he priz e d w hi l e he s e e m e d t o s l ight, F e w e ve n o f .
hi s f a mi l i ars p e r haps n o t T e nnys o n hims e l f n o t w it hst an d

, ,
ing t he d e dic ati o n c o u l d h av e g u e ss e d th at he w as s e c u r e

,
o f i m m o rt al i t y o n P a rn ass u s H e n e v e r fr e tt e d at t he
.
n o n r e c o gniti o n o f his g e ni u s
-
.
F o r t he w o r l d n o m an o f l e tt e rs c o u ld h av e b e e n mo r e
o bscur e Of t he b u lk o f his d o ings in l it e r atu r e it r e m ains
.
s e r e n e l y u nc o nsci o us sti ll His an o nym o u s v e rsi o n o f

.
O m ar s r e put e d m u sings its e lf it r e f u s e d t o t ak e at his

’
,
o w n fin al v a l u ati o n o f a p e nny pi e c e A qu art e r o f a c e ntury .
aft e r t he o ri gin al p u b l ic a ti o n in 1 85 9 t he Encyc l o p ae d i a ,
B rit annic a in a l ist o f e diti o ns o f t he R u b aiyat r e f e rs t o

, ,
his as j u st a p o rti o n o f t he s a m e r e n d e r e d in Engli sh v e rs e

by E Fitzge r al d
. T he c o ld n e ss o f l it e r ary o pini o n w hi l e ,
he l iv e d str u c k hi s s e ns e o f h u m o u r r ath e r th an o f r e s e nt
,
m e nt It n e ve r o ccu rr e d t o hi m t o c o mpl ain His int e r e st

. .
w as in his w o r k fo r t he tim e b e ing — as muc h in a p l o dd ing
v e rific ati o n o f t he Fi e l d o f N as e by as in t he inspir e d ,
int e rpr e t ati o n o f a go l d e n E ast e rn lay

.
1“
S o l o ng as he
f e l t he had d o n e his p art th o r o u ghl y an d t o t he b e st o f his ,
p o w e rs he w as s o v e r e ign l y c o nt e n t
, .
S o l iv e d O l d Fitz a n d so he d i e d t o h av e t he
minu te st hal f l e g e nd ary scr apings o f hi s ch ar act e r lit up
,
-
,
in t he gr av e w ith a b l az e o f r e no wn N o r with o u t r e as o n .
,
a s I sinc e r e l y thin k tho ugh I h av e b e e n e xp o sing mys e l f ,
I k no w t o c o n d e mn ati o n ali k e fo r e x agge r at e d p rais e

, , ,
o f t he v e rs e by p e rs o ns n e v e r t o uch e d wi th t he r aptur e o f
,
t he Eng l ish e d Rub aiyat a s m e r e h ar m o ny an d by v o t ari e s ,

C O V E N T RY P A T M O R E
1 82 3 — 1 8 9 6
As I r e a d Co v e ntry Pa t m o r e I w o n d e r if the r e b e n o t
,
a s e cr e t r e l igi o n a m o ng e d u c at e d w o m e n M an w o u l d h av e
.
n o right t o b e s u rp ris e d if th e y k e pt in th e i r b o u d o irs th e i r ,
sch o o l r o o m d e s k s the ir w ar d r o b e s al o ng wi th Jan e Eyre

, ,
an d T he Ch risti an Y e a r c o pi e s o f T he Ang e l in t he H o us e
, ,
an d Vict o ri e s o f L o v e B e f o r e the y go d o w n in t he m o r n ing

.
,
w hi l e the y d r e ss fo r di nn e r afte r o r b e f o r e the ir e ve ning

,
pr aye r the y might we ll find ti m e fo r a fe w v e rs e s if n o t

, ,
fo r a b o o k M ay the r e n o t b e l a di e s c l u bs at w hich he is
’
.
r e gu l ar l y st u di e d Gi rto n Ext e nsi o n l e ctu r e s at w hi ch he

,
is e xp o u nd e d ? Whe n m e n pr ais e the ir Mi l t o n W o r d s ,
w o rth B r o wning T e nnys o n d o the y n e v e r h e ar P at mo r e s

, , ,
’
n am e w hisp e r e d by f e mi nin e l ips ? Tru e th at he is s e l d o m

m e nti o n e d o p e n l y an d n o w l e ss o ft e n t han thirty ye ars
,
ago . It m ay m e r e l y b e an o the r pr o o f o f t he a d age th at half

o f u s k n o w n o thing o f t he w a in w hi ch t he o th e r h al f l iv e
y .
I fin d it h ar d t o cr e d i t th at t he o n e r e al p o e t w ho pr o c l aim e d
t he right divi n e o f w o m e n t o b e a d o r e d n o l e ss aft e r th an
b e f o r e m ar ri age an d m o r e so as wiv e s an d m o th e rs th an as
,
b rid e s has c e as e d t o b e h abitu all y r e v e r e d by th e ir se x

, .
Po e t e ss e s d o n o t c o unt b e si d e s th at th e y r ar e l y ar e g e nu in e
,
w o m an l o v e rs Unti l Co v e ntry P atm o r e p o e ts had b e e n

-
.
w o nt t o e n d the ir wo rs hi p as s o o n as t he Al t ar st e ps we r e
r e ac he d As he b o asts it w as re s e r ve d fo r him l as t o f all
.
, , ,
t o sing t he first o f th e me s .
COVE N TRY P ATMORE 2 43
He tr ac e s it in a s e ri e s o f s o ft s we e t idyll s ve ry fu ll y -
,
fr o m t he w o o ingt o t he w e dding ring an d t he nc e in o u tl in e -

, , ,
r athe r shad o w y thro ugh h appy ye ars o f nupti al an d

,
p ar e nt al l o ve T he husb an d l o ve r pr ays t o b e inspir e d as

.
-
chr o nicl e r
Tho Primal L v who g a t t wi gs
u, o e, r n es n
And v o i c s t t he w o dl and birds

e o o ,
G rant m t h p o w r o f s aying thing s

e e e
T sim pl a d t o o sw e t fo w rds
oo e n e r o .
1
His ve rs e s u ffici e ntl y pr o ve s that his p e titi o n w as grant e d .
With char ming d e lic acy he d e sc rib e s t he d isc o ve ry in ,
H n ri a Chu rchill pl aying

o o —
T h W dding Mar ch o f M nd lss hn

e e — e e o
2
of t he gi r l wh o m he had k n o wn as a chi l d six ye ars b e fo r e

t he r e v e l ati o n t o hi ms e lf o f hi s p assi o n thr o u gh a p assing
t r e m o r at t he tho u ght o f a p o ssibl e rival an d its e l e v ating
e ffe c t
W hat ve r i he sight I d s m
e n r
’
ee
I d r e ally b I d n v r b l nd
’ ’
e e e e
Wi th my d li ght in h dr am e er a e
Tw ld c hang h ch k t c m pr h nd
’
ou e er ee o o e e .
“
a ffe cti o n to b e u nre t u rn e d ,

he w o ul d be
If fate Lo v e s de ar amb itio n ma ’

r,
And le ad his b re ast wi th ho pe le ss p ain ,
An d se e m t o b l o t o u t u n an d st ar s ,
Lo v l o st o w o is c o un tle ss g ain
e, r n ,
H i s o rro w b o ast s a s e c r t b liss

s e
W hi ch so rro w o f itse lf b e gu il
An d Lo v e in te ars t o o no b le i s
F o p i ty s av e o f Lo v e in smil e s
r , .
4
Fo r him it e nve l o ps t he unive rs e spr e ading , in t he e ye s

Q 2
o f t hes l e e p le ss watch e r unc e r t ain as y e t o f t he issue o f hi s
,
suit a gri m p allo r at d awn o ve r

,
T h l ands c ap all m ad shar p a d c l ar

e e, e n e
B y stilln ss s a f ac by d e ath e ,
a e .
“
A l itt le l at e r t he b l e ss e d answe r has b e e n give n an d t he

s am e l an d sc ap e is t r an sfigu r e d
’
Twas wh n t he sp o sal tim f May
e u e o
H ang s ll t h h dg wi th b rid l wr aths

a e e e a e ,
An d ai s o sw e t t h b s m g y
’
r s e e o o a
Give s thanks fo e v ry b r th it b re athe s r e ea
That I i wh m t h sw t tim wr ght

, n o e ee e ou ,
Lay t t h d wi thi n a l n l y g l ad
’
s re c o e e,
Ab a d d t d li c i s th ght
’
n on o e ou ou
B eneath t h s ftly twi k ling had e o n s e .
T h l av e s all s tirri g mi mi k d w ll
’
e e ,
n ,
c e
A n ighb o ring r sh o f riv rs c o ld

e u u e ,
And a t h , o shad w f ll
s e su n r o e ,
S o the s w re g r n a d tho s w re g ld
e e ee n e e o
I di m r c e ss s hy ac inths d o p d
’
n e e ro ,
And b r adths o f p rimr se lit t he ai

e o r,
Whi ch wand ri g thr gh t he w o dl and st o p d

, e n ou o ,
o
’
And gat h d p e rf m s h re a d th r er
’
u e e n e e
Up n t h sp ray t he s qui rr l swu ng

o e e ,
And c ar l ss s o ngste rs ix o se ve e , s r en ,
S ang l fty so gs t he l av s amo ng

o n e e ,
F it f th ir l y liste n r H v
or e on e , ea en .
“
If t he r e c o u l d b e a dr awb ac k t o t he wo o e r s o wn e cst asy ’

,
i t w as c au s e d by its c o mpl e t e n e ss
She answ e ring wn d t hat she lo d t
’ ’
, c v oo .
T he av o wal o v e r w h e l m e d t he vi ct o r wi th c o mp assi o n e v e n ,
sh a m e at his l a dy p ar a m o unt s abdic ati o n o f he r thr o n e

,
’
B y that c ns nti g sc ar d d ho k d o e n e an s c
’
S ch chang c am
u h mi n a d m o d e e o er
’
er e n o
T hat I f l t tart l d a d half m o k d

e s e n c
’
A t winning what I had t w o d no o

’
.
o f all, he r bri d e gr o o m fir st b e c o m e s b e au t ifi e d fo r him by
,
m at e rnity as with p e nit e nt asto nishm e nt he avo w s

,
W h n t h w m ad Mo th r smil e d
e e ne - e e ,
Sh m d he rs l f l ittle child
e se e e e a ,
Dw lli g at l arg b y o nd t h law

e n e e e
B y whi ch till th n I j dg d a d saw
fl
,
e ,
u e n ,
And that f o nd gl w whi ch h f l t stir o , s e e
F it s ff s d m y h art fo h
or , u u e e r er
T who m f r o m t h w k b ab a d t h nc
o , e ea e, n e e
T m o i u t inno c n c
e , an n en e e,
H appy r p arative f l if , e o e,
C am a d h w as ind d m y wif
e, n s e ee e ,
As the r l o v ely with l o v h lay

e, e, s e .
“
It is a f u rthe r st age wh e n he disc o ve rs Jan e in t he c o m ,
p a n i o n shi p o f H o n o ri a— t h e o bj e ct o f his e a r l y i d o l atry

tr ansfo rm e d into a Divinity h e rs e lf On e st e p sti ll o nwar d .
an d w if e s m o th e r s g o dd e ss s l o v e th at had n e v e r tir e d
’ ’ ’
, , ,
o r f aint e d turns b ac k t he c u rr e nt o f tim e

, d e vo tio n an d , ,
p assi o n t o t he ste ps o f t he m arri age Al tar its e l f an d in

, ,
t he d e ad w o m an s w ritt e n l e g acy o f t ri umph

’
D th whi c h tak s m f r m hi Sid

ea , e e o s e ,
S h ws m e i v ry d d hi b rid !
o , n e ee , s e
10
A l as f o nd w r e tch !
,
W e p ass fr o m g e nt l e fl u e ncy in Vict o ri e s o f Lo v e t o

t he str ang e st o f wi ld l abyri nths o f f ancy mi n i st e ring t o
t he o l o gy in T he Unkn o w n Er o s P at m o r e s e ntr e aty w as
, .
’
far fr o m gr ant e d if he w e r e s e ri o u s in b e s e e ching Ur an ia

t o inspir e hi m wi th
C h ts a o f a l n ly thr sh s thr at
an s o e u
’
o
At l at st e e ve,
That d e s i ach c alm n t o n e o e
B o th jo y a d g ri v n e e
N te s f w
o d s t r ng a d fi
e an o n ne,
Gil t wi th swe t d y s d e clin e a

’
e,
A d s d wi th p r mis
n a f di ff r nt o e o a e e su n .
COVE N TRY P ATMORE 247
B ut in c o mp e ns atio n t he who l e is f ul l o f gran d sp asms

, ,
o f t ragic e m o ti o n p o ssibl y o f all e go ri e s as e l ab o r ate as in ,
T he P urp l e Is l an d ; c e rt ain l y o f e nigm as w hi ch I c o u l d

‘
, ,
n o t wi sh t o b e a tho u ght a thr o b p l ain e r I am c o nte nt , , .
with t he b e au ty if fe ve r e d w hi ch is in d isput abl e

, , .
Wh at a cry o f pr o t e sting u n avai ling anguish is t he ,
D e p arture
I t was n o t lik e y o u r g re at an d g rac i o s w ay s u
D o y o u t hat hav e no g ht o the r t o l am e nt

,
u ,
N v e r m y Lo v e re p e nt
e , ,
Of ho w that Ju l y aft e rno o n

, ,
Y o u we nt ,
Wi th su dde n uni te lligibl e phrase , n ,
An d fr ight e n d
’
ey e ,
Up n yo r j r y o f so m any d ay
o u ou ne s,
Wi tho u t a i gl e kiss o r a go o d by
s n , e
I kn w in d e d t hat y o u w e re p arting s o n
e e o
And o w sat wi thin t he lo w su s r y s

s e e, n
’
a ,
Y o u whis p ri g t o m fo y o u r v o i c e was w ak
e n e, r e ,
Y r harro wing praise

ou .
We ll it w as w ll
, e ,
T o h ar y o u s u c h thi g s s p ak
e n e ,
An d I c u ld t ll o e
W hat m ad e yo r y s a g ro wing glo o m o f lo v u e e e ,
As a warm S u th wind so mb re s a March g ro v

o -
e .
An d it w as l ik e y r g r at a d g raci o s w ay s ou e n u
T o t rn y o r t alk o d ail y thi g s m y D e ar

u u n n , ,
Lifting t he l u mino s p ath ti c l ash u , e
T o l t t he l a ght e r fl ash
e u ,
W hilst I dre w ne ar ,
B c au se y o u spo k e so lo w t hat I c o ld sc arc e ly he ar

e u .
B u t all at o nc e t o l av m at t h l ast e e e e ,
Mo r e at t he wo nd r th n t h l o ss aghast e a e ,
With h ddl e d unint lligi bl e phras

u , e e,
And f ighte n d y r
’
e e ,
A d go y o u r j o u rne y o f all d ay s
n
With o t o e kiss o a g o o d by
n n ,
r e ,
A d t he o nl y l o v l ss l o o k t he l k wi th w hi c h y o u p ass d
’
n e e oo
’
Twas all nlik y o u r g r at a d g racio s ways
u e e n u
?“
If aught c o uld b e as p athe tic all y affe ctio n at e l y crue l as ,
w hat — tho u gh it m ay h ave an inn e r an d m e t aphysic all y

the o l o gic al m e aning r e a d s l i ke a wife s pl o t t o sp ar e he r
— ’
hu sb an d t he ago ny o f a f ar e we ll o n t he b rink o f an o p e n
gr ave it is his c harge that t he m e rcy had b e e n tr e as o n t o
,
l o ve His w ak e fu l nights ar e h ar ass e d by r e c o ll e ctio ns o f

.
his L o ve s pr e s e ntim e nts ; by t he bitt e r th o ught th at he

’
o u ght t o have r e c o gniz e d in th e m a w arn i ng h o we ve r ,
us e l e ss o f t he i mp e n ding b l o w
,
I f I w re d d y d so m tim e s say Po o r Child ’ ’ ‘

e ea , ou e ,
T h d ar l i p s qiv d as t he y s p ak
’
e e u er e,
An d t h t ars b rak e e e
F ro m y s whi ch o t t g ri v e m b rightly smil d

e e , n o e e, e .
And di d y u thin k wh n y o s c rie d a d smil d

o , e u o n e ,
H w I i l o n l y ni ght s sho ld li aw ak
o , n e , u e e,
A d f th s wo rds y o r f ll av e ng rs m ak
n o o e u u e e
P r C hild po r Child
oo , o
1“
T he n , w he n he f all s as l e e p c o m e s t o he ight e n b l ack e n , , , ,
t he gri e f o f b e r e av e m e nt a r e c u rr e nt nightm ar e i n w hi ch , ,
I the e i m o rt al so rr o w s till pu rsu

, n , e
Thro so rdid stre e ts a d lane s

’
n
And ho u s s b r o wn a d b ar e n e
A d m any a hagg ard s t air

n
O chro s wi th ancie nt stain s

u
B u t v e r at t he l as t m y w ay I w i
e , , n
T o whe re wi th p e rf e ct l y s ad p at i e nc e n u r t
, s
B y so rry c o mf o rt o f assu re d wo rst ,
I n g ain d i n f re tte d c he e k an d li p s that p ine

’
r ,
On p all e t p o o r
Tho u ly e st stri ck n sick ,
e ,
B e yo nd l o ve s cu re ’
B y all t he wo rld s ne gle ct b u t chi e fly mine ’

,
.
And y e t an o the r d r e am— d re am o n dr e am — b y t he o p e n

w in d o w o u tsid e w hi ch c l imb e d an o d o r o u s az al e a
,
Fo r , t ab l drawn b e sid e hi s h ad
on a e e ,
H had p t wi thi hi s r e ac h
e u ,
n ,
A b o x o f c o u te rs a d a e d v e i d sto n
n ,
n r -
n
’
e,
A pi c o f gl ass ab rad d by t he b e ach

e e , e ,
A d i x o r s v e n she ll
n s e s,
A b o ttl wi th b l e b e llse u ,
And t w o Fre nch c o pp r c o ins r ang e d the re wi th c are fu l ar t e , ,
T o c m f rt his s ad h art
o o e .
S o w he n that ni ght I p r ay d
’
T o G o d I w pt a d s aid , e , n
Ah w he n at l ast w e li wi t h t r anc e d b re ath

, e ,
N o t v e x ing t he e i d e ath n ,
A d T he n r m e m b re s t o f what t o y s
n e e
W e m ad e o u r j o y s ,
H o w w akl y u nd e rs t o o d
e ,
T hy g re at c o mm and e d g o o d .
Th n f athe rly n o t l e s
e , s
Than I wh m Tho hast m o u ld d f ro m t he cl ay

o u e ,
Tho l t l ave T hy wr ath a d say

u
’
e , n ,
I will b e s o rry fo the ir c hild ishne ss 1“

”
r .
T he s u cc e ssi o n o f t he e ntir e v o l um e t o T he Ange l in t he

, q
H o u s e with i t s u i e t l impid gr ac e al m o st gai e ty an d t o
, , ,
t he al m o st t a m e n e ss o f Vict o ri e s o f L o v e is a m o ng t he ,
c u ri o siti e s o f p o e t ic al l it e r atu r e I c an disc o v e r n o l it e r ary .
affinity b e tw e e n t his an d e ith e r o f t he e ar l i e r w o r k s Di d .
n o t t he hi st o ry o f p o e try f u rnish m any e x a mp l e s o f e x o tic
gr o wths in e st ab l ishe d r e pu t ati o ns it w o ul d b e h ard t o ,
u nd e rst and t he phe n o m e n o n A bright r e as o n ab l e n e ss .

,
a m u sing i t s e lf w ith p assi o n is t he distinctiv e n o te o f ,
Co v e ntry P at m o r e s pr e vi o u s l o v e dr a m as His typ e o f

’
-
.
wo m anho o d n e ve r l o s e s he r b al anc e is s u c h
—
,
v n at it b righte t pl ay e e s s ,
That h mirth wa lik t h s shin i t h cl o si g o f t h d ay

er s e e un e n e n e .
17
In gri e f an d a dv e rsity he r e m o ti o ns w o u ld h av e b e e n as
discr e e tl y o rd e r e d ; an d in w e al an d w o e t he he r o must
COVEN T RY P ATMORE 25 1
h ave m atch e d he r N o t t o sp e ak o f Jan e an d Fr e d e ri ck

.
,
n o b e ings c o u l d b e im agin e d l e ss l i k e l y th an H o n o ri a an d
F e l ix Vau g han t o t o ss t o an d fr o t he thu nd e rb o l ts o f Ero s .
Obvi o u s l y it is v ain t o att e mpt t o l ink t he t w o s e ts o f

sto ri e s an d the ir ch ar act e rs Any c l u e s se e ming t o l ea d in
.
t h at d ir e cti o n s o o n bre ak in t he h and T he utm o st which .
can b e ass e rt e d is t he e xist e nc e o f a p air o f sit u ati o ns ,
or ,
r athe r tr ains o f fe e l ing wi th a r e l ati o n b e twe e n the m
, , ,
m o r e o f o pp o siti o n th an r e s e mbl anc e T he Ange l in t he .
H o us e is a pictu r e o f hum an l o ve o f t he pu r e st th at e arth ,
c an o ffe r . B e ing o f e arth it is m o rt al an d T he Unk n o wn

Er o s m ay e xhibit t he e n d o f s u ch in d is e as e an d de at h in ,
c o nj u g al d e sp air an d an o rph an s d e s o l ati o n B y t he S id e

,
’
.
is a s e c o n d pictu r e o f an o the r l o ve w id o w e d o rph an e d ,
to o a s p assi o n at e y e t im,m o rt al a n d t ri u mph a nt in t he ,
mi d st o f s o rr o w an d ab as e m e nt a p e rs e c u te d Chu rch .
An an al o gy is tr ac e abl e if b ar e l y b e twe e n t he wr e c k o f
, ,
l o v e in T e nnys o n s M au d r aving into m adne ss h e al e d by

’
, ,
a B e rs e r k e r fi t an d P at m o r e s i d o l atry o f ho m e fl a ming
’
, ,
in its ruins int o a r aptu r e o f Catho l ic mysticism A t all .
fl
e v e nts T he Unk n o wn Er o s m a r k s s u ch a r e v o l u ti o n in t he
,
p o et Th e r e w as as he d o e s n o t d e ny a str u ggl e b e fo r e he
.
, ,
w and e r e d far fr o m hi s o ld
C ry tal o wi g s r c
s -
n ou e .
F o r an inst ant in d e e d th e r e m ay hav e b e e n an imp uls e t o

tu r n b ack A m e l i a? in its l o d ging within t he pr e cincts o f
.
“
t he f u rn ac e o f Er o s is a br e ath o f pi o us simp l e t e n d e rn e ss
, ,
a s t o o is t he e xq u isit e pict u r e o f t he Virgin M o th e r ad o ri n g -
a t o nc e D e ity an d Inf ancy
All M th rs w rshi p littl f t

o e o e ee ,
A d kiss t h v r y g r d th y v t ro d ’
n e e o un e e
B t ah t hy li tt l e B by sw t
u , , a ee
W h w o ind d t hy G d
as ee o
“0
B u t t he ttr acti o n
a of t he l ight w hi ch
S ho ne f ro m the s o litary p e ak at E dgb ast o n ,
21
w as t o o str o ng . P at m o r e Mu s e l e arnt ’
s to sp e ak
A l ang age d ad u e
?“
Inst e ad o f p u tting w o r d s t o a W e d ding March o f Me n d e l ss o hn ,
s he s ang h e nc e f o rth o f D e l ici ae S api e nti ae d e A m o r e an d

“3
A u r as o f D e l ight 24
.
H e arth an d ho m e l o st th e i r m o st symp athe tic minstr e l

p o e try I thi nk has gain e d P at mo r e s e ar l i e r v e rs e is
, ,
.
’
c l e ar an d sp ar kl ing Oft e n it has ch arm Wh e r e it is . .
l ac king is in str e ngth i mpe tu s H e d isc o ve r e d that he had , .
a g o sp e l t o pr e ac h a m e ss age t o d e l iv e r ; an d t he b e l i e f ,
tr ansfo rm e d hi m T he ad v e nt o f a n e w f aith w as as if .
a f o u nt ain o f inspir ati o n bitt e r wat e rs an d s we e t had

— —
s u dd e n l y we ll e d u p withi n T he fl o o d is p e rtu rb e d an d .
angry ; b u t it c arri e s aw a y Any w ho d e sir e t o k n o w w h at .
p o we r fir e P atm o r e had in him m u st stu d y n o t so mu ch

, , ,
T he Ange l in t he H o u s e as T he Unk n o wn Er o s .
P m by C v try P tm r
oe s l iii Vict ri
o en fL v l i Th a o e vo .
, o es o o e vo . v ,_ e
U k w Er
n no n G rg B ll S ( d t ) os . eo e e on s no a e .
Th U k w Er
e n by C v try P tm r T hi d E d iti
no n G B ll
o s, o en a o e . r on . . e
S 1 89 0
o n s, .
1
Th A g l i th H
e n P l d 5 T h I mp ib ility
e n e o u se re u e s, , e o ss .
7
I b i d C th d r l Cl
.
,
2 a e a o se , .
3
I b id T h M r i g C ll 3
.
, e I b id P l d
o n n 2 a , .
4
.
, re u e s, .
5
I b i d G i g t Ch rc h 1
.
, o n I b id T h R o li 1 u , .
5
.
, e e vu s o n , .
7
I b id T h A b di c ti
.
,
4 5 e I b id H b d d W if 1a on , , . .
, us an an e, .
Vict ri f L v Fr m Fr d i ck
o es o o e, o e er .
1
I b id Fr m J a t M
.
, G r ham o ne o rs . a .
11
T h U k wn E r
e Pr m n no o s, oe .
I b id 8 D p t r I bid 1 4 I f I w r De ad
’
1“ 1“
.
, , e ar u e . .
, , e e .
I b id 9 E yd i c .
, ,
I b id 7 T h A z l
ur e .
1 “
.
, , e a ea .
1 “
I bi d 1 0 T h T y , e o s .
D A N TE G A E R I EL R O S S E TT I
1 82 8— 1 8 82
T HE RE ar e re ad e rs w ho li ke the ir p o e ts u n mix e d — p o e ts
o nly , n o t phi l anthr o pists o r mis anthr o pists the o l o gi ans ,
or sc e ptics m e t aphysici ans o r bi o l o gists wits s ati rists

, , , ,
hu m o rists as we ll R o ss e tti w as m a d e t o s u it the m

, . .
Ju st an d n o b l e s e ntim e nts a d o rn hi s v e rs e Its sc e n e ry .
c o u l d h av e b e e n r e pr e s e nte d o n l y by a p aint e r o f ge nius ,
a th o ughtf u l o bs e rv e r o f n at u r e A llu si o ns c o ntinu all y .
t e stify t o t he stu d e nt b o th o f m e n an d o f b o o k s T he .
things ar e h o w e v e r w he r e t he y ar e s o l e l y t o s e rve t he
,
de man d s o f t he p o e t S ar t H e is p o e t in e ve ry l in e e ve ry
.
,
turn o f a phr as e in t he m o d e ll ing o f e v e ry c ad e nc e In

,
.
a p ie c e o f a hu n d r e d an d e ighty st anz as I find b u t o n e
which is pr o s aic H e mi ght h av e s e e m e d o f a n atur e t o o

.
fi ne l y c o nstitu t e d t o o s u btl e t o o e xc l usiv e fo r a b all ad

, , ,
write r W hat e v e r instinct p e rhaps we arin e ss o f t he s o l e

.
,
c o mp ani o nship o f his o wn e m o ti o ns t he cr avi ng fo r an ,
app e al t o wid e r symp at hi e s tur n e d hi s M u s e in t hat d ir ce

,
ti o n as p o e t he acc e pt e d fr e e l y its o b l igat i o ns B e ing t he

, .
tho r o u gh artist he w as t he m o st f astidi o u s o f wri t e rs

,
b e c a m e p l ain r o u gh an d br u squ e t he f au lt l e ss l y me tric al

, ,
v e r si fi e r stumb l e d in hal f r hym e s It c an pl ain l y b e .
d isc e rn e d th at t he u nc o u thn e ss t he irr e g u l ariti e s ar e as , ,
int e nti o n al as t h e y ar e p o p u l ar l y e ffe ctiv e I b e l i e v e th at .
t he Whi t e S hi p t he King s Tr ag e dy w e ir d R o s e M ary

’
, ,
its e lf — B e ryl S o ngs an d all— wo u l d at a Pe nny R e ad ing b e

'
sur e o f che e rs an d t e ars e ve n o f c o mpr e h e nsi o n if p arti al

, , ,
fr o m t he humb l e st au die nc e T he Thr e e r ank amo ng t he .

-
D AN TE GA B RIEL ROSSETTI 25 5
f o r e m o st o f the ir fr ankl y p o p ul ar c l ass in English ve rs e ; an d

the y ar e t he wo r k o f o n e o f t he m o st ae sth e tic o f p o e ts .
T ake t he first an d tr ac e ho w u n d e r c o v e r o f a st o ry ,
fitte d t o c aptivat e a p e as ant a m e chanic a chi l d as fi n e , , ,
a w e b o f th o u ght an d f e e li ng is w o r k e d a s c o u ld h a v e b e e n
spu n fo r a st u dy in br ain wo r k L awl e ss lic e nc e is d u l y -

.
c hastis e d in Knight an d d a m s e l b u t as t he c l im ax o f a ,
m o st in tric at e g a m e o f cr o ss pu rp o s e s Ou t o f a m o t he r s .
’
b e au tif u l prid e i n a d au ght e r s i m agin e d p u rity ’
Mary mine that a t Mary s r o se r

’
,
is h a m m e r e d an e ngin e at o nc e t o pi e rc e t he g u i l ty he art ,
an d t o s l ay its b e tr aye r T he l o v e r w ho w o u l d h av e l iv e d
.
if l o yal di e s fo r hi s faithle ssn e ss T he B e ryl st o n e i t s e lf

,
.
-
,
in all its b ri lli ancy p erishe s fo r its p e r fi d io u s c o mp lici t y

,
w ith d e vi l s .
T he m agic a l j e we l r e fl e ct e d t he futur e in i t s g l e ami ng

d e pths but t o n o ne but a pur e m aid It had be e n re a d by .
She w
,
t he gir l in he r chi l dh o o d a s t o r e a d it n o w at he r
.
,
m o t he r s di c t ate t o l e arn o n whi ch r o a d an a mbush might

’
,
b e l aid t o t ake t he l ife o f he r affi an ce d l o ve r Sir J a m e s o f ,
H e r o n hay e as he r o d e t o b e shrive n at H o l y Cr o ss
,
She .
d are d n o t te ll he r m o t he r th at she ful fi lle d t he fate d

c o n d iti o n n o l o nge r
P l R s Mary s a k t o t h fl o o r
a e o e n e
T h ni g ht will c m if t h d y i
’
e o e e a s o er
N y he av n t ak s c ns l st r wi t h st r
a , e e ou e , a a ,
A d h l p shall r ac h y r he r t f r m af ar
n e e ou a o
A b ride y o ll b as a m aid y a e
u
’
e, ou r .
’
T h l ad y nb nd he j we ll d z n
e u ou r e e o e
A d dr w f ro m h r b t h B e ry l st o n
n e er o e e -
e .
S h p d i t w a t o a sh d wy s ph r
a e s a o e e,
W rld o f
o wo rld t h s s c o m p r
o ur , e un
’
ee ,
That b e ars a d b rie s t he to iling y ar

n u e .
With shu dd ring light twas stirre d a d stre wn

e
’
n ,
Like t h cl d ne st f t he wading m o o n
e ou - o
F re ake d it was as t h b bb le s b all e u

’
,
R ainbo w — h e d t hr o u g h a mi sty pal!

u ,
Like t he middl e light o f t he wate rf all .
T he l ad y p h ld t he w o ndr u s thing
u e o
Ill f ar she said wi th a fi d fairi g

’ ’
e, , en s- n
B u t Mo sl e m b l o d po u re d f o r th lik e wine
o
C hall w H ll ne at h t he S ac re d S i gn
’
an o e
And m y l o rd b r o g ht t his f ro m Pal stin u e e .
Spirits who f ar t he Bl e s d R o d e se o
D r v f o rth t he accu rse d mu l ti t de

o e u
That he athe n wo rshi p ho u se d he re in ,
N v e r ag ain s c h ho m t o wi
e u e n ,
S av e o nly by a C hristian s si ’
n .
’
Lo w s p ak ma id e n R o se Mary
e
0 m o the r mine if I ho u ld o t se e , s n
N ay d au g h te r c o v e r y o r f ac e o m r
, , u n o e,
B t b e nd l v e s h ar t t o t he hidd e n l o r
’
u o e e ,
And y o u shall se ow a he r t f o re e n s e o .
’ 1
S he g az e s an d p e rc e i ve s by t he br o k e n w ate r g ate arm e d

,
-
m e n as w atching fo r the ir p re y with t he W ar d e n o f H o l y

, ,
c l e ugh Sir Ja m e s s s wo rn fe e at the ir he ad All e ls e whe re

,
’
,
.
is c le ar ; e xce pt th at o f se ve n hi ll c le fts o n t he r o ad to
,
-
H o ly c le u gh s c ast l e ste e p t he se ve nth is b ri m m e d wi th

’
-
,
m ist T he m o the r c e as e s t o fe ar
S m all h pe my girl f a he lm t o hide
o , , or
I n mist s that c ling t o a wild m o o r id e s :
S n th y m e l t wi th t he wind a d un
oo e n s ,
An d s c ar c e w ul d w ai t s c h d ee ds t o b e d ne
o u o
G o d s nd th ir snare s b e t h w rst t o shun

’
e e e o .
T he visi o n had p ass e d an d as t he La d y c o nte nt W r aps , ,
t he st o ne c l o s e in he r si lke n r o be ,
a m us i c r aine d t hr gh t he ro o m ou
Lo w it s p l as he d lik e a sw t st ar s p ray ee -
,
An d s o bbe d lik e te ars at t he he art o f M ay ,
An d di d as l au ght e r di e s away
e .
“
25 8 FIVE CEN T URIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
He k n w h f ac e d h h rd h er c ry e , an e ea er ,
And h aid P t b ack h m t o t d i

e s , u s e us n e
A d b ac k wi th t h c rr nt s f r c th y r l
’
n e u e o e e ee
Lik a l af that draw t a wate r wh l ’

e e s n o -
ee .
Lo w t h p o r shi p l an d e t h t id
o e e on e e
O t h n k e d k l a sh b st mi ght g lid
’
er e a ee s e e e,
T he sist r t il d t t h b r o th r s sid
’
e o e o e e e .
H r a c he d
e e ca to h fr m b l w an r er o e o ,
And stiffe n d hi arms t o cl tch h r soe s u e .
B t u w f r o m t h shi p s o m s p i d t h b o at
no e e e e ,
A d S av d
n w a t h c r y f r m m any a t h at
e s e o re .
And d wn t t h b at th y l pe d a d f ll
o o e o e ea n e
I t t rn d u a b c k t t rns i
e as w ll u e u n a e ,
And n thing w a th r b t t h rg a d sw ll
o s e e u e su e n e .
T h Princ that w a
e d t h Ki ng t c m
e s an e o o e,
Th r i a instant go ne t o his d o o m
e e n n .
H w e Princ e f l st a d p rid
as a o u n e
H sh w d
e g rac till t h ho r h di d
o e no e e u e e .
Wh h sh ld b ki g h ft wo ld w
en e ou e n , e o u vo ,
H d y k t h p as nt t hi w pl gh
’
e o e e e a o s o n ou .
O him t h shi p s s c o r e th ir f rr ws o w
’
er e e u o n .
G o d nl y k o ws wh r hi s o l di d wak
o n e e s u e,
w hi m d i f hi sis te r s ke “
’
B t I
u sa e or s sa .
T o t he m ainyard re nt fro m t he m ast t w o B e r o ld t he

, , , ,
b u tch e r s so n o f R o ue n an d G o de fr o y d e l Aigle we re
’
,
’
,
c l inging wh e n
,
a third m a r s t h w av
’
1 0 n o e o er e e,
And w said Than k G d

e thr m ay H s av
, o us ee e e
H c l tc h d t o t he y ard wi th p a ti g s tar
e u e n n e,
And w l o o ke d a d kn w Fitz St ph n th r
e n e -
e e e e .
H c l g a d W hat f t h Pri c
e un , n q o th h o e n e u e.
L o st l o s t, w c ri d H c ri d W o m e e . e e , oe n e
And l o se d his ho ld a d ank thro gh t he se a

o , n s u .
“
DA N TE GA B RIEL ROSSE T TI 25 9
I do no tve nti ne t o r e qu i re as a r igh t o f T he Ki ng s , ,

’
Tr age dy an y e xpl an ati o n o f its cho ic e o the r th an t he

fascin ati o n o f t he pr o l o nge d h o rr o r its e l f W e fe e l t he .
a we o f t he suspe ns e be fo r e t he ass assins had re turne d fo r

,
a fu rth e r s e arch aft e r t he ki ng s hi di ng p l a c e t o t he r o o m

’
-
te n ante d n o w o n l y by he r o ic Cathe ri ne D o ugl as he l p le ss ,
fro m t he t o rture o f he r sh atte r e d ar m

Thr gh t h o pe n d o r
ou e o
T h ni ght wind w ail e d r o nd t h e m pty r o o m

e -
u e ,
A d t he r sh s sho k o t he fl o o r
n u e c n .
A d t h b e d dro p d l w i t h d ark re c ss
n e o e o n e e
Wh nc t h rr s wa re nt away
e e e a a s
A d t h fi li ght still sh n o v r t h s p ac
n e re o e e e e
W h re o hidd n s c r t lay
e ur e e e .
A d t h r in h d c ase d a d t h m o o nb ams lit

n e a a e , n e e
T h wi nd o w high i t h w all
e n e ,
Bri ght b ams that O t h pl a k that I kn w

e n e n e
Th gh t h painte d pa d id f all
rou e ne ,
An d g l m d wi th t h s pl nd r o f Sc t l nd s c ro wn
’
ea e e e ou o a
fl
An d shi ld arm o rial e .
B t th n a g r at wi nd sw pt p t h ski s
u e e e u e e
A d t h c l im b i g m n f ll b ac k
n e n oo e
And t he ro yal blaz d fr m t h fl r on e o e oo ,
An d no g ht r m in d o i t t rac k
u e a e n s
An d hi g h i t he d rk n d wind w p n n a e e o - a e
T h shi ld a d t h c ro wn w e r b l c k
e e n e e a .
7
T he mur de r sc e ne is de picte d wi t h t he m e rci le ss fide li t y

-
o f an a r t ist s e y e Eve n in b l o o di e r r e d gl are s t he r e le nt

’
-
.
l e ssne ss o f s we e t Que e n Jane t o t he ass assins o f he r u n

burie d husb and
T h m nt h o f Mar c h w r
e o ap c o e on a e
An d e w f r h c ri rs f are dn es ou e
Sti ll f r m t he c nt ry o f t h Wild Sc ts
o ou e o
W ith n ws f t h tr it rs sn r d e o e a o a e .
R 2
.

And v rm o re I br g ht h r w rd
e e as ou e o ,
S h b t t o h d ad ki g J m s
e en er e n a e ,
A d i t h c ld a wi t h fi
n n edraw b r ath
o c r re - n e
S h s p o k e t he t rai t o r nam e
’
e s s .
B ut w h n t h n am
e e e of Si r R o b e rt G r ae m e
W as g iv e
t he o n e S he had t o ,
I a t o ho ld he u p f r o m t he fl o o r
r n r
F o t he f r o th w as o h
r li ps an d s o re n er ,
I f e are d that sh c o ld n o t liv e e u .
An d the ir d o o ms dre ad tiding s c am e

n ow of ,
An d o f t o rm e nt s fi e r c e a d dire n
An d no u g ht she s p ak — she had c e as d t o s p e ak e, e ,
B u t he r e y e s w e r e a s o l o n fi u re .
B ut whe n I t o ld h t h b itt r d er e e en
Of t h s t rn a d j st award
e e n u ,
S h l an d th bi r d thri c thr e tim e s

’
e e e o er e e ,
an e e
Sh kiss d t h li p s f h
e l rd
e e o er o .
An dthe n she said My King the y a d ad , , re e
A d she kne l t o n t he c hap l fl o o r

n e ,
And whisp e re d lo w wi th a stran g p ro d smile e u ,
J am e s J ame s t h y su ffe r d m o re
, ,
'
e e
8
It w as t he jo y o f ve nge anc e ; an d t he p o e t s e e ms t o
sh are it Y e t I susp e ct th at he had be e n thin king m o re
.
o f t he sing e r o f t he King s Qu ai r th an o f t he cr o wne d ’
re fo r m e r o f wro ng t he a d ministr at o r o f e ve n justic e

,
t o hi gh an d lo w ; l e ss o f t he Ave ng e r o f tr e as o n ag ains t
he r r o ya l c o ns o rt th an o f he r w ho fr o m t he ti m e w he n
first she w as we dde d o ft wo u l d sigh ,
T b b rn a king o e o
An d o ft al g t h w y on e a
W h n h aw t h ho m ly l v rs p a
e s e s e e o e ss,
S h has s aide al ac k t he d ay ,
9
wh o s e f are we ll cry O ve r he r s l ain husb and l o ve r -

w as
S o nne t bui lding w as in his b l o o d T he r apture o f D ante
-
.
w o rs hi p c o nstitu te d it his pr o fe ssi o n Fr o m his m o de l s .
in t he Vita N u o va an d t he cyc l e o f t he Maste r s h arbinge rs

,
’
an d c o mp ani o ns he l e arnt ho w t o e xtract t he utm o st

,
musi c fr o m t he j ang l ing o f t he cur io us un de r ve sture o f -
sh ac kle s His ini mit ab l e tr ans l ati o ns sh o w his s ki ll Parti e n

. .
lar ly a d mi r ab l e in hi s o rigin al wo r k is t he s e ri e s he e ntit l e d

T he H o us e o f Li fe In it with a h an d c o mp ar ative l y fre e ,
.
,
he c o nstructs bric k by bric k t o b e o ve r l ai d with a m arb l e

, ,
c o ating a te mpl e o f Lo ve I c o nf e ss t he m ar ve l o f t he
, .
m as o nry ; in e ach s e gm e nt t he inte rde pe nd e nce at o nc e ,
an d ind e p e n de nc e wi t h fin al un ity Ove r an d a bo ve all

,
.
bl o ws an air o f re fr e shing sp o nt ane ity T he y t o wh o m t he .
ri g o u rs o f t he m e tre e spe ci all y in a ch ain wi th a hun d re d

,
l in k s ar e dist aste fu l m ay fin d a p l e as ant sur pris e in T he

, ,
H o use o f Life The y wi ll I thin k ac kn o wl e d ge th at it

.
, ,
has pr o ve d i t p o ssibl e if by n o m e ans a thing o f c o ur s e , ,
fo r a s o nn e t t o b e a p o e m al s o .
Unf air as it always is t o te ar away m e m be rs o f a s e ri e s ,
I am c o mpe ll e d by t he l aws o f sp ac e t o o ffe r sp e cim e ns o nl y

On this swe e t b ank y o u r he ad thri c e sw e e t an d de ar
I lay an d s p re ad y o u r hair o
, it he r sid e n e ,
An d se e t he ne w b o rn w o o d fl o w e rs b ashf u l e y e d -
Lo o k thr o u gh t h g o ld e n t re sse s h r an d the re

e e e .
On t he s e d b at e ab l e b o rd e rs o f t he y e ar
e
Spring s f o o t half f alte rs s c ar c e h y e t m ay kno w

’
s e
T he l e afl e ss b l ac k tho rn b l o ss o m f ro m t h sn w e o
And thr o gh h r b o we rs t he wind s w ay still i s cl ar

u e
’
e .
B ut A pril s s strik s d wn t h gl ad s t o d ay
’
un e o e e -
S o sh t y r y u pt r d a d f l m y ki s
ou e es u u ne , n ee s
C r p a t h Sp ring o w thrills thro u gh v ry spray

ee , s e n e e ,
Up y o warm thr o at t o y r warm lip s f this

ur ou or
I v n t h h r o f L v s swo rn sui t s rvi c

s e e e ou o e
’
-
e e,
With wh m c ld he arts a e c o unte d c ast away

o o r -
.
11
D AN TE GA B RIEL ROSSETTI 26 3
fo r t he c o ntr ast o f a m o re s e ri o us n o te
T hel st d ays o f my lif ntil t d y
o e u o -
a ,
W hat w r th y c l d I e th m t h s t r t
e e , ou se e e on e ee
Li a th y f ll
e s W o u ld th y b ars f wh at
e e e e e o e
S wn nc fo fo o d b t tro dd n int c lay

o o e r u e o
O g ld n c ins s q and r d
r o e o d s till t p ay u e e an o
O dr p s f b l d d abb li g t h g i l ty f t 2
‘
r o o oo n e u ee
O s c h s pil t w ate r a i dr ams m s t c h at

r u s n e u e
Th ndying thr ats o f H ll athir t lw y 2

e u o e , s a a
‘
I do the m he re b t afte r d e ath

no t se e u
G o d kno ws I kno w t he f ac s I shall se e e ,
E ac h o e a m u rd e re d s e lf wi t h lo w l ast b r ath
n , e
I am thy s lf — what has t tho d o ne t o me

e ,
u
A dn I — a d I — t h y s e lnf — lo e ac h e s ai t h ,
’
on ,
A d t ho thy se lf t o all e t e rni ty

n u
12
T he vo l um e o f B all ads an d S o nn e ts c o ntains litt le o r

n o thi ng i mpe rfe ct T he re st o f t he ge n e r al c o lle cti o n o f
.
p o e ms is n o t l i ab l e t o that s o m e what invidi o us pr ais e .
A mo ng its c o nte nts ar e pie c e s be au tifu l o n l y t o a fe w

o f w h o m I mys e lf am n o t o n e an d t he r e ar e pi e c e s whi c h
—
must I sho ul d supp o se b e be autifu l t o all ; fo r e x ampl e

, , ,
t he l ine s S u d d e n Li ght o n that ph as e o f s e c o nd sight

, ,
which sh ado ws t he p ast fr o m t he pre s e nt

I ha v e b e n he r e b f o r e
e e ,
B u t wh n o ho w I c an o t t e ll
e r n
I kno w t h gr ass b y o nd t he d o r
e e o ,
T h sw t k e n sm ll
e ee e e ,
T he sighi g so u d t h lights aro und t he

n n ,
e sho r e .
v b e e n mine b e f o re
Y o u ha e ,
H o w l o ng ago I may o t kno w n
B t j u s t whe n at t hat sw all o w s s o a r

’
u
Y o u r n ck t rn e d so e u ,
S me v e il di d f all —I kne w it all o f yo re

o , .
2 64
‘
FIVE CE N TURIES OF E N GLISH VERSE

is b n thu s b e f r
H as th ee o e
And sh ll t th s tim s dd yi g fl ight

a no u e
’
e n
Still wi th l iv s o l v r st r o ur e ur o e e o e
I d ath s d p it
’
n e es e,
And d ay d night yi ld o d light nc m r

an e ne e o e o 7
e 2
13
L o ve li e r sti ll is T he Po rtr ait

This i s h p o rtrai t a he w as
er s s
I t s e ms a t hing t w nd r
e o o e on ,
As th gh m in im ag e i t h gl a s
ou e n e s
S h ld t rry wh n mys lf am g o n
ou a e e e.
I g z ntil h s ms t o stir
a e u s e ee ,
Until min e y s alm o st av r e e e
Th t w v n w t h sw t li ps p r t
a no , e e no , e ee a
T b r ath t h w rds f t h sw t h r t
o e e e o o e ee ea
A d y t th
n r th i s v r h
e e ea o e er.
In p ainting he r I shrine d he f ac e r
M id my t i c t re e s wh re li gh t f alls i
’
s ,
e n
H ardly at all a c o v rt pl ac e e
W h r y o u might thi k t o fi d a d i
e e n n n
Of d o btf l t alk a d a li v e fl am
u u , n e
W and ring a d m any a shap e who se nam

e ,
n e
N o t i t e lf kno w th a d o ld d w
s e , n e ,
And yo u r o w f o o tste p s m t i g y o u n ee n ,
A d all thing s g o in g as th y c am
n e e .
fl
A d p d im w d
ee d th r h ta ds oo an e e s e s n
As i th t w d th t d ay f
n a oo a o r so
W thas till m v m t f h hands

e s o e en o er
And ch t h p r li s g raci s w
su e u e ne
’
ou o .
And p ssing f air t h typ m st s m

a e e u ee ,
Unk wn t h p re s nc
no d t h dr m e e e an e ea .
Ti
’
h th u gh o f h rs lf l s
s s e : o e e , a a
L s than h shado w t h g r
es er on e ass ,
O th n h im g i t h s t r am
r a er a e n e e .
2 66 FIVE CEN TURIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
Be s ide s be auty he re th e re is te n de rn e ss an d so far t he
,
pie c e is fo r R o ss e tti unique T he pre vai l ing w ant o f th at

, , .
p ro p e r t y is a n atur al c o ns e que nce o f t he e mpi re o ve r him

o f o n e c an o n an d g o sp e l c o nn e cting all hi s m any ch ar acte r
i st ics Fr o m o ld m e m o ri e s I in di c ate d it w h e n I st art e d N o w

. .
th at I c l o se t he re vi e w o f my m o r e re c e nt i mpre ss io ns o f hi s
p o e ms I find m y be l ie f c o nfir m e d Mo r e th an w ith She lle y .
—w ho w as a pri e st o f hum ani t y as we ll a s singe r— m o re

e ve n th an wi th Ke ats — in w h o m a di st inct c u rr e nt o f yo uth s
’
w ar m b l o o d un c hi ll e d by t he sh ad o w o f de ath is pe rc e ptible
, ,
-
t he ru l e with R o ss e tti is t o o b e y n o o th e r m aste r an d
e n d th an ar t W hi l e he re c o gni z e s t he e xiste nc e o f o th e r
.
i mpul s s i ms
e a an d c o n di ti o ns whi l e he m ake s u se o f the m
,
—
,
hims e l f— he n e ve r fo rge ts o r pre te nd s t o fo rge t th at fo r , ,
hi m th e ir o bj e ct is t o s e rve as p o e tic m ateri al H e sh rin ks .
fr o m n o s adne ss s o urne ss ug lin e ss which wi ll wi de n t he

, , ,
.
c o mp ass o f hi s l yre I d o n o t supp o s e I am l ibe ll ing t he

.
g e ne ral e d uc ate d pu bl ic if I find in t h at i mp e ri o us e c le c

t ic ism o r ae sth e ticis m a k e y t o his l a c k at all tim e s o f
, ,
c o m m o n p o pul ar f avo u r I c ann o t affe ct t o b e s ur pris e d .
whe n I re c o ll e ct s o m e o f his be autifu l m o nstro siti e s Af te r .
all it is n o t an un w h o l e s o m e instinct w hich d e m an ds o f

,
p o e try th at it sh all b e l ife s c o ns e cr ate d m iniste r s anctify ’
ing pu rifying an d s we e te n i ng R o ss e tti t he p o e t r e c o gni ze d

, ,
.
n o such o b l ig ati o n an m r th n R o ss e tti t he p ainte r

y o e a .
Acc o r dingl y t he p o e t l i ke t he p ainte r pr o b ab l y wi ll

, , ,
c o ntinu e t o b e wo rshippe d by a s e ct an d n o t by a ,
n ati o n .
H o we ve r p o e try is an ind e pe n de nt King do m w ith its

,
o w n l aw s It ne ithe r is o b l ige d n o r d e si re s t o b e e xc l usive

.
, ,
.
Its b o r de rs ar e wi de The y h ave m ade ro o m fo r Dr yde n as

.
fo r Mi l t o n fo r B u rns as fo r Co w pe r fo r B yr o n as fo r
, ,
W o r d s wo rth W e ll c an th e y c o nt ain R o s se tti al s o Po e ms

.
“
.
DA N TE G A B RIEL R OSSETTI 267
to o h ave a be ing as we ll as t he p o e t an d so l o ng a s t he ,
l angu age l asts the r e ar e m any o f his which d e s e rve al w ay s

,
t o b e r e a d an d s o m e w hich w i ll be , .
T he P tic l W rk f D t G b ri l R tti d by W M R tti

oe a o s o an e a e o sse , e . . . o sse .
O n e vo l E lli E l v y 1 89 1
. s e , .
(B ll d a d S
a t by D t G b ri l R tti F rth E d iti
s an o n n e s, an e a e o sse . ou on .
E ll i s W hi t e,
( T h E rl
e y I t li P ta A D 1 1 00—1 2 00 1 3 00
a T g th r wit h
an o e s, . .
-
. o e e
Da t Vit N v tr l t d by D G R tti )
n e s
’
a uo a, an s a e . . o s se .
1
R M ry P rt I
o se I bid
a , a I b id .
3
.
3
.
I b id P rt I I .
, T h W hit S hip
a .
5
e e .
I b id T h Ki g Tr g dy 7 ’
. e n s a e .
8
I b id . I b id I b id 9
.
1 °
.
1‘
Y th Spri g T ri b t (T h H
ou
’
s f Lif — n S tS q c ) u e e o u se o e a onn e e ue n e ,
No . 14 .
1“
tD y
Lo s N a s o . 86 .
1“
S dd
u en L ight
1‘
T h P rt rait t z
e o , s an as 1 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 1 0, 1 1 , 1 2 .
WI LL I A M M O RR I S
1 83 4 — 1 89 6
T A K E f ro m t he she lf
b o o k by Wi ll i a m Mo rris n e w o r
a ,
o ld t o y o u ; r e a d o r r e r e a d in it an d y o u w i ll b e v e ry
-
un wi ll ing t o p u t it d o w n T he fie ld is wi de T he vo l um e
. .
m ay b e t he w o n dr o u s qu e st o f t he Go lde n F l e e c e ; t he
n arrative e nch ants as if O rph e us ag ain we r e t he musici an .
A s ag a o f t he Vo l s u ngs m ay h ave f u rn i she d t he th e m e an d

y o u fin d c h a r m in a ri o t o f p e r fi d y an d s l au ght e r O r it .
m ay b e a st o ry fr o m t he mytho l o gy o f Gre e c e o f Pe r s e us ,
Psyche A l c e stis Pygm al i o n Be ll e ro ph o n Y e t an o the r

, , ,
.
v o lu m e an d y o u ar e arbitrating b e t we e n f alle n G u in e ve re
an d he r a ccus e r Sir G au w ain e
,
sitting with L aun ce l o t an d ,
his re m o rs e be si de King Ar thur s t o mb o r watching with

,
’
p u r e Si r G al ah ad fo r t he S ang re al Val i ant d e e ds ar e .
d e scribe d an d s ha m e fu l o r he r o ic d o o ms o f G asc o n knights

, ,
an d G asc o n t hi e ve s t o rturing o pti o ns b e twe e n s o m e

sud de n e n d t o gay g l o ri o us l ife an d its c o ntinu anc e with
, ,
dis ho n o ur T he who l e ar e a o f f ancy hist o ry f abl e Mo rris

.
, , ,
c l ai ms fo r his o wn w he r e ve r his ge n i u s d ivin e s a p o ssi

,
b ilit y o f f o o th o l d An ywhe r e o n t he w o r l d wid e h e ath he

.
-
r o o fs in a h o us e l ighting a fir e o n t he he arth t o pr o ve his

-
,
t it l e Eve rywh e re y o u t o o h ave b e e n at h o m e with him

. .
Y o u p ass o u t an d f o rge t his e xiste nc e

,
It is a ridd l e ve ry .
h ard t o gu e ss why t he re a d e r who has g l a d l y w arm e d hi s

h ands by t he bl az e s o r ar e l y c o m e s b ac k ; why afte r
, ,
havi ng give n app ar e nt l y s o much o f hims e l f t o t he p o e t ,
he c ar ri e s l itt l e o r n o thing o f t he p o e t aw ay .
Th t Ia b e a tif u l Lo rd e ve n as y o u
a m u , ,
A d y o u r d ar m o the r
n w hy did I f rg t
e o e
Y u w r s b au t if u l a d g o d
o e e o e d tr , n o , an ue ,
T hat y u l v d m so G u v r 0 y t
o o e e , en e e e e
I f e v e n I go t o h ll I c anno t c ho o s e , e
B u t l o v y o u C hrist y e a t ho u gh I c ann o t k e e p
e , , ,
F ro mlo vi g Lau nc lo t O Christ mu st I l o se

n e
My o wn he art s l o v e se e tho u gh I c anno t w e e p

’
, ,
Y t am I v e r y s o rry fo r m y s in
e
Mo re o ve r Christ I c anno t b e ar that he ll

, ,
I am m o s t f ain t o l o v e y o u a d t o wi n ,
n
A pl ac e i n he ave n so m e tim e — I c anno t te ll

Sp e ak t o me C hrist I kiss kiss kiss y o u r f e e t
, , ,
Ah !
’
n ow I w ee p !
T hem aid s aid By t h t m b , e o
H w ai t t h fo y l ady c i ing fl t ’
e e r ou, , o n ee ,
N o t kn wing w hat w o fille d p all t h ro o m oe u e .

1
H e f o u n d f o o d fo r symp athy an d de l ight al i ke in t he

d auntl e ss a dve ntur o usne ss o f t he A rg o n auts in Me d e a s ,
’
fr atri cid e an d l ie s an d in Jas o n s u ngrate fu l infid e l ity

,
’
.
Opp o rtun i t i e s we re w aiting e ve rywhe re t o r e w ard his

insight an d in dustr y wh e th e r in re c o nstructi o ns o f a s avag e
,
fe u d al ism o r in visi o ns o f de m o cr atic G ar de ns o f Ed e n t o

,
b e d o tt e d ab o ut t he h appy wi l ds o f r e affo r e st e d re p e nt ant -

,
Bl o o msbur y N ay his ro m anc e uph o l ste re d straight

.
,
l e gge d ch airs sc atte re d he re an d the re be si de p o me gran ate

wall p ap e rs A ll app e al e d t o his instinct fo r picture sque
-
.
vari e ty his h o rr o r o f e art hi ne ss an d m o no to ny H e st a mp e d

,
.
hi ms e lf hi s t aste s an d di st aste s visib l y an d t angib l y o n

, , ,
c o tt age s an d p al ac e s by t he t h o us and o r t e n th o us an d .
Spiritu all y he w as audibl e in vo lum e afte r vo l um e o f

a d mir ab l e ve r s e an d pr o s e Un l i ke his p o e t p e e rs he d id .
-
,
n o t a bs o rb his subj e ct int o hi m s e l f r athe r he s o ught t o ,
inc o rp o r ate hims e lf int o it His aim w as t o suffu s e histo ry .

‘
an d l ife with t he atmo sphe re o f l o ve l y p o ssibil itie s he

WILLI AM MORRIS 27 1
disc o ve re d in t he m H e d e si re d t o inspire an d invigo rate

.
by de scribing b o th as he saw the m Str ange l y e no ugh .

-
,
t he r e s u l t is n o t t he r o b u st pictur e o f a ctu a l t hings w hi ch he

m ay b e pre s u m e d t o h ave c o nt e mp l at e d E ach succ e ssive
.
sce ne fl o ats in a h az e o f dre a my suns hin e thr o ugh w hich ,
t he upr o ar an d st o rm o f h u m an p assi o n s o un d a s m e l o di o us ly
unre al t o t he re ade r as t he e cho o f p ast l ab o urs t o t he
l o tus e ating s ai l o rs Eve r in vain t he p o e t r ais e s his
-
.
pro te sting b attle c r y o f t he t ale he has

-
t o te ll ,
Of t he w o nd e rf u l d ay s a c o ming w he n all
-
,
S hall b e b e tte r than w ll e .

2
N e ve r w as Mus e r e adie r t o r e s e ttl e Past Pre s e nt an d

-
, ,
Futu re A c hie f b ar t o he r succe ss in attr acting c o l o nis t s is

.
t he re qui siti o n s he m ake s up o n t he m o f abun d ant l e isur e

an d p ati e nc e T he re ar e tri cks o f styl e which b e c o m e
.
wi th re p e titi o n trying in t he e xtre m e Such ar e t he h abi t .
o f inve t e r a te re fr ains an d a p e r va ding v a r ni sh o f m e l an

,
c ho ly whic h an inv a ri ab l e s we e tne ss d o e s an t hing b u t

y
r e l ie ve B ut ab o ve all diffus e ne ss is c arri e d t o an e x t e nt
.
, ,
whi ch p ays n o r e g ar d t o t he bre vi ty o f hum an l ife It .
is t he m o re ve x ati o u s t h at Mo rris o cc asi o n all y indic ate s

ho w he c an pr e s e nt a sc e ne in a w ay t o m ake o n e c atch
o n e s br e at h His be s e tting vi ce in ano the r sh ape c aus e s
’
.
hi m t o st e e p l e ge n d s o f pr e hi st o ric Gre e c e N o rm an Sici l y , ,
Sc andi n avi an fo lkl o re in o n e s a m e o intm e nt fr agr ant an d

, ,
d e l ightfu l in its e l f but al m o st r e pul sive whe n fo un d t o b e

,
ne ithe r indivi d ual n o r n at ive, .
Y e t e ve n s o — wh at a f o r c e t he age l o s t wh e n he di e d
H o w utte r anc e s o f his wi th all th e ir f aul ts dwe ll o n an y
m e m o ry whi ch has o nce t ake n h o l d o f t he m It m ay b e
a m e r e e xe rcis e in rhyt hm l i ke T w o R e d R o s e s a cr o ss t he
,
Mo o n I re ad t he cr azy b all ad t he o the r d ay ; an d t he

.
fe e l ing with which I had he ar d it re cite d by an Oxf o rd ‘
frie n d sh o rtl y afte r its publ ic ati o n a t o nce c a m e b ac k

, ,
.
T he jing le o f it had st aye d w ith m e unfo rg o tt e n fo r fif t y

ye ars an d u nf o rge tt ab l e
,
The re w a a l ady liv d i a h ll

s e n a ,
Larg h ye s a d slim a d t all

e er e , n n
And e v r h s g f r o m no o n t no o n
e s e un o ,
T w o e d r s e s ac r ss t h m o o n
’
r o o e .
Th r w a a Knight c m riding by
e e s a e
I arl y s p ring w h n t h r o ads w r dry

n e , e e e e
And h h ard that l ady si g at t h n

e e n e oon ,
d r s s a c r ss t h m o n
’
Two re o e o e o .
Y t n n t h m o r he t pp d at ll
’
e o e e e s o a ,
B t h r d a g all o p p as t t h hall
u e o e -
e
And l ft that l ady singi g t n on

e n a o ,
Tw d ro s s c r ss t h m n
’
o re e a o e oo .
B c a s f rs th t h b attl w as t
e u e, o oo , e e se ,
A d t h s c arl t a d b l
n e had go t t b me t
e n ue o e ,
H ro d e t h s p r t ill t h n xt w arm n n
e on e u e e oo
T wo d r e s ac r ss t h m n
’
re os o e oo .
Th at w as t he b att l e cry he r ais e d an d be fo r e it an d his

-
g o l d arm o u r d o wn we nt t he sc ar le t an d b l u e R e turnin g .
as vict o r t his t i m e he h al ts at t he h a ll an d t he l a dy
,
Und e r t h m ay h t o o p d t o t h c r wn
e s e s
’
e o ,
All was g ld th r w a no thing o f b r wn

o , e e s o
A d t h h rns b l w p i t h hall t no n
n e o e u n e a o ,
d r o s s a c r o ss t he m o n 3
’
Tw o re e o .
In highe r s o rts t he re is fo r e x a mp l e t he re s o l ve o f , ,
Vo l su ng Signy t o di e Que e n sti ll o f t he abh o r re d G o ths , , ,
in t he flam e s o f raci al ve nge anc e up o n the m which she had ,
he rs e l f c aus e d t o b e kind l e d in he r G o th Co ns o rt s p al ac e ’
.
T he st r ange e vid e nc e o f fid e l ity t o t he l e tt e r o f t he b o nd

she w as b e tr aying must n o t b e pe rm itte d t o f o und e r
Th r c o m s a mu rm r f r m t h sh r
e e e u o e o e,
An d i t he c l n t w f ir s t r ams a o se o a e re ,
D r w f r m t h p rpl hills af r
a n o e u e a ,
D r wn d w int t h r tl ss a
a o n o e es e se
D rk hills wh s h th b l m f ds b
a o e ea -
oo ee no ee,
D rk sh r
a shi p h v r s n
o e no as e e ee ,
T rm nt d by t h b illo ws g r n
o e e e ee
W h s m rm r c o m nc asingly
o e u u es u e
Unt t h pl c fo whi ch I c ry
o e a e r .
F whi ch I c ry b th d ay a d night
or o n ,
F whi ch I l t slip all d light

or e e ,
W h r by I g r w b th d f a d blind
e e o o ea n ,
C ar l t w i
e e ss kill d t fi d
o n ,
un s e o n ,
And q ic k t l s w hat all m s k

u o o e en ee .
Y t t tt ring
e o I m e d w ak as a an e ,
Still hav I l ft a littl b r ath

e e e e
T s k wi thin t h j aws f d ath

o ee e o e
An nt r nc t th t happy pl c
e a e o a a e,
T k t h nf rg tt n f c
o se e e u o o e a e,
Onc s enc kiss d nc r ft f ro m m

e en , o e e , o e e e
A igh t h m rm ring f t h a
n e u u o e se .
5
H e has w ith t he p o e t s gift o f myste ry t he p o e t s s e cr e t

’ ’
, ,
o f ch ar m B o th ar e p re s e nt in Gu n n ar s Ho we ab o ve t he ’
.
Ho us e at Lit he n d 6
B o th with a de e p th o ught t o o
.
, ,
u nd e r l i e in Mo t h e r an d So n a wo m an s c o n fi d e n c e s t o he r ’
, ,
inf ant sp o k e n th at he m ay i mbib e in his spirit wh at she

ye arns th at he s ho u l d kn o w but wo u l d b l ush t o te ll him ,
w h e n o ld e n o ugh t o und e r st and an d af t e r all l e ave s uns aid , , ,

'
— p e rhaps has n o t c o u r age t o s a a l o u d t o he rs e l f

, y
N w sl p s t h l
o d fh ee e an o o u se s ,
A d d d ni g ht h lds t h s t r t
n ea o e ee ,
A d th r t h
n li t my b aby
e e ou es
And sl p t s ft a d sw t
'
ee es o n ee .
L amid t L nd n I li ft th
o s o o ee,
And h w l ittl a d light th a t

o e n ou r ,
And th wi tho t ho p o f r ou u e r ea ,
Tho u fe r d h p f m y h art 1a an o e o e
WILLIAM MORRIS 275
L0 he r b o dy b e g i ni g
e t hy n n ,
O s n a d t hy s o u l a d t hy li f e
o , n n
B t ho w will i t b e if t ho l iv s t
u u e ,
A d e n t e st i t o t he s t rif
n er n e,
A d i n l o v e w e dwe ll t o g th r
n e e
W he n t he ma is gro wn i t h n n ee ,
W he n t hy sw e t spe e ch I shall he arke n e
A d y t twi xt th e a d m e
’
n e e n
S hall rise that wall f distanc e o ,
That r o und e ac h o n d o th g ro w e ,
A d m ak t h i t hard a d bi tt r
n e n e ,
E ac h o th r s t ho u g ht t o k w
’
e no .
N w t he r f o re whil y t t ho u ar t li ttl
o ,
e , e e e
An d ha t n o t ho ght o f t hi n o wn
s u e ,
I will t e ll t he e a wo rd o f t h w o rld e
Of t he ho p wh nc e tho has t g ro wn
e e u
Of t h l o v that o nc b e g at t he e
e e e ,
Of t he s o rro w t hat hat h m ad e
T hy li tt l e h art o f h ng r e u e ,
A d t hy hands o m y b o s o m l aid
n n .
Th n m ayst tho re me mb e r he r aft r

e u e e ,
As W hile s whe n p e o pl e say

All this hath happe ne d b f o r e e
I n t h l if o f a o th r d ay
e e n e
S m ay s t t ho u diml y re m e m b e r
o
This t al e o f t hy m o th r s v o i c e e
’
As o ft i t h c al m o f d awni n g
n e
I hav he ard t he b irds re j o i c e

e ,
As o ft I hav he ard t he sto rm wind e -
G o m o anin g thro u gh t he w o o d :
A d I kn e w t hat e ar th w as s p e aki g
n n ,
A d t he m o the r s v o i c e w a g o d
’ 7
n s o .
F u ll o f gr ace ag ain is t he Pr aise o f My Lady whi ch

, , ,
t he shy l o ve r l i ke t he Mo t he r d a re s u t t e r o n l y t o t he air
, ,
My l ad y se ms o f iv o ry e
Fo re h ad straight no se an d c h e ks that b e
e , ,
e
H o llo w d a li ttl e m o u r nf ll y
’
u .
B e at a me a D o mina
S 2
Her f o re he ad o v e r shad o w d m c h
,
-
’
u
B y b o ws o f hair has a wav e s ch ,

u
As G o d w as g o o d t o m ak e fo me r .
N o t g r at l y l o g m y l ady s hair
’
e n ,
N o y t wi t h y e ll o w c o l o u r f air
r e ,
B u t t hi c k an d c ri sp d w o nd e rf u ll y e .
B e ne ath he r b ro ws t he l ids f all sl o w ,
T he l ashe s a c l e ar shad o w t hr o w
W he re I w ld wish m y li p s t o b ou e.
I w o nd r i f t h l a h s l o ng
e e s e
A e th se t hat d o h
r o b rig ht y s wro ng er e e
fl
,
F or alway s half t ars s e m t o b e e e
Lu rk ing b e l o w t he un d rl id e ,
D ark e ning t h pl ac wh re t he y li hid e e e e
I f t h y sho u ld ri se an d o w fo r m
e e
H e f u ll li p s be ing m ad e t o k iss
r ,
C u l d u p an d p ns ive e ac h o
’
r i e ne s
T his m ak e s me f aint t o stand an d e s e.
N ay ho ld t hy pe ac fo r w ho c an t e ll 2
‘
, e
B u t t his at l e as t I kn o w f ll we ll u ,
H e li p s a e p arte d l o nging l y
r r ,
S o p assio nate an d swift t o m o v e ,
T o p l u c k at a y fl yi g l o v e n n ,
That I g ro w f aint t o stand an d se e .
Ye a t he re b e ne at h t he m i s he r c hin ,
S fi e a d ro und it w e r a s i
o n n ,
e n
T o f e e l o w e ak e r whe n I se
n e
G o d s d e aling s fo r wi th so mu c h c ar
’
e
A d t ro u b l o u s f aint line s wro u g ht i t he r

n , n e,
H e fi n i she s he r f ac e fo m r e .
All m that s he a y tim

en ee r n e,
I c harg y o s t rai ghtl y i t his rhy m e

e u n ,
W hat a d wh re ve r y o u may b
, n e e,
278 F I VE CE N TURIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
H arald re igne d a d w t hi w ay
An d n en s ,
S d f air u p i se t h t he rise o f t h su
’
r e n .
An d s till i t he st o ry t o ld t d ay s o -
,
S g re y i s t h s a wh n d ay i s d o n
o e e e e.
Hist o rie s l e ge nds so figs phi l o s o phi e s m o r al itie s— th e y

, , , ,
c o nstitu te t o ge t he r a vast t o t al w ith an a sto nishing e ve n ,
n e s s o f m e rit T he s e ve r al c o mp o n e nts ar e o n e an d all

.
, ,
inte re sting an d n o t s e l d o m f ascin ating Whe re the n is

, , ,
.
the i r p l ac e in Eng l ish p o e try ? My o bj e ct thr o ugh o ut m y

rapid re vie w o f o ur Po e ts has be e n t o d e t e r min e w hich
o f t he m ar e a m o ng t he Im m o rt al s— h ave l e ft us h e irs o f
p o ss e s s m n s w e c ann o t d o w it ho ut P o e m s o f s u c h s o r t a r e .
a t o nc e n e c e ss ari e s an d t re a s u r e s an d I h a ve c o ve t e d t he
mul tip l ic ati o n o f the m W h e n I be g an my s ke tch o f .
Wi lli a m Mo rris I intim ate d a fe ar th at his w o r k w as n o t

,
o f t he kind ; an d this c o ntinu e s t o b e m y imp re ssi o n .
Mu ch in it ch arms m e wh e ne ve r it p l ac e s its e lf un de r my
e ye s . I d o n o t l o ng t o re tu rn t o it A divi n e sp ar k is .
w anting It is n o t th at a st ar has b e e n hi d d e n in a c e ll ar
.
,
a s an o ld an d gr e at p o e t i m agine d S u ch as it is it has .
,
be e n vi sibl e e n o u gh Its o rbit has be e n h alf a c e ntury o f .
e n e r g e tic m o d e rn l ife S o m e h o w I s u pp o se Mo r ris had t o .

, ,
cho o s e b e t we e n t he e xe rcis e o f a sing l e p o we r an d d ive rs ,
an d he pr e f e r r e d m any t o muc h .
T he Df c f G e en vr d Ot h r P m
e o by W illi m M rri
uen e e e an e oe s, a o s .
E lli s W hit 1 85 8 R pri t L gm

e, 1 89 6 . e n : on an s, .
T h St ry f S ig rd t h V l
e o o g d t h F ll f t h N ibl g by
u e o su n , an e a o e un s,
W illi m M rri
a E ll i
o W hit 1 87 7
s. s e, .
P ms by t h W y by W illi m M rri R v
oe e T r r 1 89 1
a , a o s . ee es u ne ,
.
K i g A th r T m b (D f c f G vr t z 41 6
‘
’
1
n r u s o e en e o uen e e e, s an as -
.
2
T h D y i C m i g (P m b y t h W y ) t 1
e a s o n oe s e a , s . .
3
Tw R d R s
o e ac r th M (D f c
o f G es vr) t z o ss e oon e en e o ue n e e e , s an as
1 , 2, 3, 4, 9 .
Sig rd t h
u e Vo l su n g B kI
, oo .
WILLIAM MORRIS 279
5
A G rd a en by t h S (P m by t h W y )
e ea oe s e a .
3
G u n n ar
’
s H w o b v th H
e a o t L it h
e e o u se a end
7
t ra
M o he nd So n
9
Pr a is e o f y (D f c
M y Lad e en e o f Gvr)ue n e e e .
9
T he H y t c k i t h Fl d s
a s a n e oo t z 1 —5 s an as .
T he Ki g f D m rk S
n o en a
’
s o ns (P m by t h W
oe s e ay ) .
A L G E R N O N C H AR LE S S W I N B U R N E
1 8 3 7— 1 9 09
I N 1 89 7 , w he n this b o o k firs t app e are d S winb u rne w as ,
l iving B y t he p l an o f t he wo r k I had d e b arre d mys e l f

.
,
t he re fo re fro m i nc l uding hi m On t he issue o f t he p re s e n t

, .
e di t i o n I c o u l d n o t h a v e p ass e d hi m o ve r B ut it w as .
i mp o ssibl e t o p re t e nd t o de p o s e A l fre d T e nnys o n fr o m his

p l ac e as cr o wning t he s u cc e ssi o n o f British p o e ts I h ave .
c o mpr o mis e d by di s re g ar d ing t he a ccid e nts o f birth an d

d e ath an d s e ating t he ne w c o m e r be sid e Wi ll i a m Mo rris
, ,
an d R o ss e tti his c o mp ani o n an d in s o m e s o rt hi s m aste r

, ,
.
Po e ts o f t he first ran k n e ve r ar e dup l ic at e s It is .
i mp o ssibl e t o b rac ke t S winbu rn e with an y a m o ng his

nine te e nth c e ntury c o nte mp o r ari e s o r p re d e c e ss o rs H e
-
.
r e minds o f R o ss e tti in s e ns u o u sne ss he had a far h o tte r

f aith in a p o e t s d u ty t o c o nc e rn hims e l f with t he w o r l d
’
an d s o ci e ty Wi t h S he ll e y he m ay c o mp ar e in bitte r dis
.
c o nte nt with E arth as it is wi t h He ave n as it is c o m m o n l y

,
u nd e rst o o d t o b e b u t b o t h fo r g o o d an d i ll he w as fo r
S he ll e y t o o r e al istic an d m ate ri al F o r himse l f he w as .
e ntir e l y d e v o id o f l it e r ary j e al o u sy o f c o e v al s o r s e ni o rs .
Land o r he r e v e r e d as
F athe r a d f ri nd n e .
H e e xt o ll e d an d b e wai l e d R o be rt B r o wning o wn e r o f ,
T h c l e ar st y e s i n all t he w o rld
e e e .
Vic t o r Hu g o he hym n e d b o th in Engl ish an d Fre nch as

a king o f m e n as we ll a s b ards A ll singe rs n at ive an d
.
,
f o r e ign anci e nt an d m o d e rn we re e qu all y o f his fe ll o ws hip

, , .
H e had t he c o ur age t o r e nd e r his h o m age t o C at u ll u s in

T he f u ll ric h s we e tne ss o f T he Ye ar o f t he R o s e e nc o u r age s
,
t he s a m e inc lin ati o n t o tr ac e a t o n e a t h i ll t o Ke ats

r , ,
w e ar e l e ft with t he s a m e fin a l c o nvicti o n o f an e ss e n t i a l
d iffe re nce in t he m u sic in c o ns e qu e nc e o f an e ss e n t i al
d istincti o n in p o e tic fe e l ing
I th
n d r s l and n o t mil
e re -
o e a e
Of t h m e ad ws f r m stil t o s til
e o o e e,
Of t h v all y s f r m s t r am t s t r am
e e o e o e ,
B t t h air w a a l o ng sw t dr m
u e s ee ea
A d th
n ar th w e esw t wid smil as a ee e e
R e d m o th d f a g dd ss r t rn d
-
u e o o e , e u e
F r m t he s a which had b rn h r a d b r d
o e o e e n u ne ,
T hat wi th o swe e t smil f h mo th ne e o er u
Lo o k d f ll o t h no rth as it y rne d
e u n e ea ,
And t h no rth wa m o r than t he so th

e s e u .
3
The n ag ain fo r qu al itie s g o ing d e e p e r th an fo r m c o nsi de r

, , ,
S winburne s ch o ice — all his o wn — o f the m e s t he te mpe r with

’
w hich he c o nte mp l at e s h u m ani ty its p l ac e in t he u nive rs e , ,
ho w ci r cumst anc e s affe ct it ho w it we ighs an d acc e pts o r , ,
sh ape s the m H e b e g an by vi e wing l ife h abituall y as childre n

.
o bs e r ve an e c l ips e o f t he sun thr o ugh sm o k e d g l ass In tim e .
he o utgre w t he she e r ins o l e nc e as it is n o t wi thst an di ng t he , ,
much o f gran de ur in a p ie c e li ke A Litany T he g l o o m whic h

, .
d istinguishe d t he fir st s e ri e s o f P o e ms an d B all a ds surviv e d ,
an d c o nst ant l y r e cur s The r e it had be e n cynic al In t he

. .
B all a d o f Life b o di l y j o ys ar e a ccum u l ate d t o br e ak in a -
b o ndsm an in t he B all a d o f D e ath fo r t he c o nqu e ro r

S k t D at h s f a c
ee ou t h li g ht al t r t h
e
’
e ere e e e ,
A dn y M y
sa m as t r t hat w a s t hr ll t L v e a o o e
I b c m t hr ll t D ath
’ 4
s e o e a o e .
N o t s atisfie d t o c o nd u ct all t he ri o t o f s e ns e in t o t he gr a ve ,
he f ashi o ns fr o m it a nightm are t o h ar ass t he l ast s l e e p

Th f r b ards f t h c ffi lid
e ou o o e o n
H ard all t h d ad ma d id
e e e n .
5
ALGERN O N CHARLES SWI N B U RN E 2 83
He co mp e l s N atu re t o s e rve Man s d e s o l at i o n by l ay ing ’
w aste a g ard e n p l ante d fo r p u rp o s e s o f hum an d e l ight

N t a fl w r t b p r s t f t h f t t h t f lls
o o e o e t e o e oo a a no
A t h h ar t o f a d ad ma t h s d p l ts a
s e e dry e n e ee -
o re
Fr m t h thick t f th rns wh nc t h ni g hti g al c alls t

o e e o o e e e n e no ,
C o ld sh c al! th r w r n v r a r s t o r ply
u e , e e e e e e o e e .
6
Affe cti o n its e l f is fo r his Mus e as e ph e m e r al as a b l o ss o m

T he o ldy e ar s d ad hands ar e f ll o f the ir de ad fl o w rs
’
e u e ,
T he o ld d ay s a f ul l o f d e ad o ld l v s o f o u rs
re o e ,
B o rn as a ro se a d b rie f e r b o rn than he,

n s
C o u ldst tho u n o t watch wi th m 2 e

‘
7
Wi t h ad vancing ye ars t he d ar kn e ss d e e pe ns ins te ad o f

disp e rsing T he c l im ax is in t he t hi rd s e ri e s o f Po e ms
.
an d B all ad s T he W e ary W e dding

, F o r pi l ing u p ho rr o r . ,
ste p by ste p that might p air wi t h t he Sc o t t ish b all a d o f

,
Ed war d E dw ard 8
Me l anch o l y d ainty s we e t an d l o ve l y m e l anch o l y has

, , , ,
alw ays b e e n a p rivi l e g e o f p o e ts fr o m F l e tc he r t o Ke ats ,

.
It be ars l itt l e re s e mbl ance t o S winburn e s His dirge s an d ’

.
Lit ani e s ar e w ar cri e s Wi t h t he h e art br o ke n bri de s s o bs

-
.
-
’
,
an d t he t aunts t o t he ric h brid e gr o o m
f o o l will y e m arry t he wo rm f r a wi f
O , o e
O f o o l will y e m arry t he d u s t o f d e ath 2

‘
m ingl e s t he m an s t riumphant insiste nc e t o t he gir l

’
N ay , y e ar e mine whil e I ho ld my l if e.
N ay , y e ar e min whil e, e I ha v m y b r ath

e e .
’ 9
S winb u rn e e xu lt s in p assi o n an d t he pric e p aid fo r i t ; ,

-
in d e at h whi ch is l ife an d l ife whic h is d e at h H e e xult s ,

.
in t he r u in o f t he Arm a d a in
t he fie rc e J ly w h n fl e ts w re s c atte re d as f am
u e e e o ,
an Eng l an d
d
La gh d l d t t h wind it g av t h k pi g t h g l ri s f
u e ou o e as e o er ee n e o e o
Spain a d R m n o e .
His v e rs e b e c o m e s a tr u mp e t s b l ast as it m agnifi e s an d ’
W R I II S
'
A light that i m re than t h s nlight a ai that i b right r than

s o e u ,
n r s e
m rning s b r ath
o
’
e ,
C lo th s E ngl and ab o t as t he str o ng se a c l asp s he a d answe rs

e u r, n
t he w rd t hat i t s ai th
o
T h w rd t hat ass r s h
e o o f lif if sh c hang
u e o t a d c ho o se ot er e e e n , n n
t h w y s f d ath
e a o e .
11
H e e xu l ts in t he gr ac e o f his typ e o f gl e a ming It al i an hi ll

t o w ns w hich ,
fa t o t h f ir s th w e s tward lig ht ns
r e a ou -
e ,
Girdl d a d s and all d a d plu m d wi th fl o we rs

e n e n e
‘
A t s nse t o v r t he l ve lit l ands

u e o -
,
T h hill sid s c ro wn wh r t he wild hi ll b ri ghte ns

’
e -
e e e ,
S aint Fina s t o wn o f t h B a tif l To w rs ’

e e u u e ,
H ailing t he s wi th h ndre d hands un a u .

12
E age r au d aci o us d e fi ant he always w as whe n in 1 866

, , , ,
a t t he a ge o f t we nty nin e he w a s fl inging w i l d music in t he -

,
fac e o f Eng l is h de c o ru m whi ch he d e spis e d as insu l ar

prud e ry ; w he n n o t with o ut pri de in t he r e pr o b at i o n he
,
had b ro u g ht d o w n up o n hims e l f he s at hims e l f ap art an d , ,
u tt e r e d his cri e s ag ainst a unive rse o f d u st an d ash e s .
Le t hi m ho we ve r fo r a m o m e nt fo r ge t as he c o u ld all bu t
, , , ,
an im m e nsi t y o f s u nshi n e an d f u ll br o a d bi ll o w s an d ho w
r adi ant j u bi l ant a n atu re e m e rge s an d s o ars singin g !

, , ,
R e a d t he hymn t o t he s o uth we st wind s -
Wind b l v d o f e arth a d sky a d a b y nd ll winds that b lo w

e o e n n se e o a ,
Wind who s mi ght i fight w a E gl and s h mighti st warri r

e n s n
’
on er e o
d ay ,
S o u th we st wind who se b re ath fo r
-
,
he r was i lf e , an d fi re t o c rg
s ou e
he r fo e ,
Ste l t o smi te
e an d d ath t o dri v
e e him d o wn a n un r t r i gw
e u n n a
y,
T he t r age di e s , th o u gh l e ast o f all t he e arlie s t — At al ant a ,
in Cal ydo n— w ith t he r e l i e f o f its l o ve l y ch o r u se s— l ab o u r

u nd e r t he s a m e e xc e ss o f e m o ti o ns an d o f o n e in p ar ticu l a r , .
It m ars the m as dr a m as whic h c ann o t l ive witho u t vari e ty , ,
l ight an d sh a d e T he y ar e c l o gge d by m e r e bu lk F l e e ts
. .
o f c ha rm ing f anci e s drif t h e l pl e ss l y a b o u t v o l um e s fr o m
t w o h u n d re d an d nin e t e e n t o fi v e hun dr e d an d thi rty t w o -
p age s l o ng B u t the ir abi ding e n e my is m o n o t o ny o f

.
e mph asis . Fr o m th at the y ar e t he w o rst n o t t he o nl y , ,
s u ff e r e rs In n o fo r m d o e s t he p o e t s ve rs e e sc ap e it T he
.
’
.
hab i t is t he m o r e t o b e r e gr e tt e d th at w h e n as o cc a si o n all y ,
e l s e wh e r e t he c hr o nic t e mp e st u o usn e ss a b at e s t he g if t o f
, ,
m e l o dy r e m ains n o t t he le ss surp assing that it b e c o m e s ge ntl e

a n d r e p o s e fu l As l u lle d by bre e z e an d w ave s he flo ats
.
, ,
I l an m y c h k t t h c o ld g r y pil l o w
e ee o e e ,
T h d p s ft sw ll f t h f ll b r ad b ill w
e ee o e o e u o o ,
A d c l s m y y s f d li g ht p st m as re
n o e e e or e a e u ,
And wish t h wh l o f t h w rld wo ld s tand e ee e o u .

15
An d it st an d s fo r him by n o m e ans in jo y th o ugh n o t in

, ,
s o r r o w al to ge th e r as he w atche s be si de t he c rad l e o f a b aby

,
de a d
T h li tt l h nds th t n v r s ght
e e a a e e ou
E art h s p ri z s w rt hl ss ll as s ands
’
e , o e a ,
W hat g ift h d ath G d s se rv ant b ro u ght

as e , o
’
T h li tt l h nds e e a
W e ask l v s s lf sil nt st nds

but o e
’
e e a ,
L v that l nds y s d wing s t th ght

o e, e e e an o ou
T s ar c h wh r d ath s d im h av n xp nds
’
o e e e e e e e a .
this p e r chanc e tho u gh l o v e kno w no ght

E re , , u ,
Flo w rs fi ll the m g ro wn i l o ve lie r l ands

e ,
n ,
W he re hands o f gu i di g ang e ls c au ght n
T h li tt l e h ands e .
16
He has p r o ve d th at he c o ul d writ e with n o l e ss t e n d e rne ss ,

ALGERN O N CHARLES S W IN B URN E 2 87
an d m o re g ai e ty ab o u t l iving b abyho o d An d ho w he ,
.
a od r e s h e r o is m an d g e n i u s — c o nte mpo r a ry as w e ll as past

T he m o r e t he pi t y that he has n o t s u ng s o m e ti m e s o f
e v e ryd a y life o f o rdin a ry m an h o o d an d w o m an ho o d in
,
a l i ke t e mp e r A midst t he l o ftine ss t he into xic ati o n t he , ,
sple nd o ur o f hi s p ane gyrics an d m ale dicti o ns t he inte n sity ,
o f his l andsc ap e d r awing e ve n t he gr and t ho ughts w hi ch he -

,
l avis he d I o fte n pine t o my s ham e fo r a cup o f c o l d w ate r

, , , ,
a l itt l e s o b e r c al m a r ay o f c o m m o n hum an h o u s e h o l d ,
kind lin e ss B u t I kn o w it w as n o t his w ay un l e ss fo r an

.
, , ,
inte rl u de Whe the r in much m aste r l y pr o s e o r in o ve r

.
,
whe l ming ve rs e a b o rn fighte r he m u st r an k as s u ch ; , ,
th o ugh a g e ne r o us c o mb at ant as we ll as a fie ry o n e ,
Mr Swi b r
. P m r f rr d t b l w
n u ne s p b li h d by M r
’
oe s, e e e o e o , ar e u s e e ss s .
C h tta W i d o n us.
1
Sid y Arc di (A tr ph l ) t 2
ne
’
s a a s o e , s . .
7
I tyl (P m d B
us ll d 1 t toe z a 3 4 5 s an a a s, s s an s , , .
T h Y r f th R e ( P m
ea d B ll d o2 d t 3 e o se oe s an a a s, n s . .
4
A B ll d f D t h (P m d B ll d l t
a a o t 11 ea oe s an a a s, s s . .
5
Aft r D t h e t 1 ea s . .
6
A F r k G rd (P m d B ll d 2 d
o sa en t 4 a en oe s an a a s, n s . .
7
A Wa t d Vigil t 8
s e s . .
9
S p 3 6 1 a d P rcy R liq
ee .
, n e
’
s e ues .
9
T h W ary W d d i g (P m
e e d B ll d 3 d l t thr
e n oe s an a a s, r as ee
t z
s an as .
1 °
Th Arm d e II t 2 a a , s . .
11
E g la d n Od (A t r ph l ) t 2 0
n : an e s o e , s . .
F r S g fF r S
ou Sp i g i T c y (P ms d
on s o ou e as o n s : r n n u s an oe an
B ll d s 2 md
a a t 9
, s .
13
A A t m Vi i n (Ast r ph l ) I I
u u n s on o e , .
14
I c ripti ns II on s .
15
A Swimm r Dr m V t 2 e
’
s ea , s . .
15
A B by D th (A C t ry o f R d l ) I I I
a
’
s ea en u o un e s , .
AR T H U R H U G H C L O U G H
1 8 1 9— 1 8 6 1
PO E T S in ge ne r al l o ve t o p re ach an d t o a c o ngre g ati o n

,
.
W he n the y s o l i l o qu iz e the y c ho o s e a m ar ke t p l ace F o r -

.
a ve r y fe w t he prim a ry if n o t t he fin a l f o r u m is t he ms e l ve s
, ,
.
Afte rwar d s the y m ay b e pe rs u a d e d t o ad mit t he publ ic t o

7
the i r c o nfid e nc e At t he m o m e nt o f singing the y had b e e n

.
h o ne stl y un aw are o f its e xiste nce The y r e s o rte d t o p o e try

.
si mp l y b e c ause the y kn e w o f n o b e tte r instru m e nt wi th

which t o h am m e r o u t th o ughts vital t o th e ir o w n s o u l s .
If t he re s u l ting i de as f ai l t o to uch o th e r he arts o r e ars the y

d o n o t mi nd . T he ir di s re g a r d o f mi sce ll ane o us symp athy ,
t he o cc asi o n al c ru d ity o f f o rm ha ve n o c o m m o n o rigi n w ith

,
t he r o ughn e ss o f a wri te r w ho h aving studi e d hi s ar t as

,
a vi o li nist studi e s his ,

ch alle nge s critic is m t o di se ntangle
t he be auty fr o m t he e xc re sc e nc e s c o nc e al ing it The s e
’
s o l it ari e s d o n o t c o nc e rn th e mse l ve s with t he artistic re qui re

m e nts o f t he m e di um o f e xpre ssi o n the y h ave ado p t e d .
The y h arb o ur n o inte nti o n un l e ss t o m o ul d an d de ve l o p

,
fo r th e ir o wn u se a c o nc e pti o n o r an a spir ati o n .
T o this l imite d c l ass o f p o e ts w ho fir st an d l ast ar e , ,
thinke rs Arthu r Hu gh Cl o ugh be l o ngs N ature h o we ve r

,
.
, ,
e nd o w e d hi m w ith p o e tic a l gifts m o r e o r l e ss ind e p e nd e nt
o f th at sp e cific ch ar acte ristic . Thu s a pe c ul i ar l y de l ic ate

,
s e nse o f rhyt h m di stingui she d hi m fr o m t he c o m m e nce m e nt
fl
o f his c a r e e r. A Rive r Po o l writte n wh e n he w as t we nty
,
one ,
h as
dr amy s o nd
a e u
Of ri ppl s lig htl y

e g un .
1
In m o o nlig ht is it w o shad 2 no ,
r e
‘
I p l an s f su re divi s io n m ad
n e o e,
B y a gl s sh r p f p l c w ll
n e a o a a e a s
T h c l ar light a d t h sh d w f all
e e n e a o s
O si g ht f g l ry sig ht f w d r
o o , o on e
S n pi ct ri al p rt nt nd r
ee , a o o e , u e ,
O g re t R i l t t h v t r o nd
a a o , e as u
Of t hy t hri c s l i d ar c h p r f nd e- o o ou
fl
H w li ght w g h w s ft l y
o Ah e o, o o ,
Lif e sh ld b e s t h g o nd o l a
ou a e
4
S o m e thing e ve n m o r e fr o m t he sugge sti o n o f aching re gre t, ,
is t he music al o w o f t he h e rd gir l s h aste ning cry t o -

’
he r c o ws
T he ski s hav s nk a d hid t h ppe r sn w

e e u , n e u o
H o me R o s a d ho m Pr v nc
, e,d La P l i n e, o e e an a e
T h r ainy c l o u ds a f alling f ast b l w

e re e o ,
And w t will b e t he p th d w t sh ll we
e a ,
an e a
H o m R o se a d h m P ro v nc a d La Pali e
e, , n o e, e e n
Ah d ar a d wh r i h a y r ag o
e , n e e s e, ea ne,
W h st pp d b id a d ch r d
o e o a d
e es e n ee e us n n on
My sw th ar t wand rs fa way f r m m
ee e e r a o e,
I f r ig la d
n o a f r ig
e a n n , or on o e n se
H m R s a d h m e Pr v nc a d L a Pali
o e, o e , n o ,
o e e n e
5
H e had the r qu al i t i e s be sid e s m arki ng a p o e t an d at

o ,
t he o p e ning o f l ife he w o n t he r an k at a str o ke w ith T he ,
B o thi e o f T o b e r n a Vu o lic h The re c o u ld b e n o m o re vivid

- -
.
d e scripti o n o f a t ypic al High l and sc e n e th an th at o f t he

stu de nts b athing p l ac e
’
-
The r i a stre am e s
Springing far o ff f ro m a l o ch ne xpl o re d in t he f o lds f g r at m o un u o e
t ains ,
Falling t w mile s thro u gh ro wan an d st t d ald r nv l pe d

o un e e , e e o
T h fo f u r m o r i a f r st o f pin wh r b ro ad a d am pl
en r o e n o e e, e e n e
Spr ad t o c o nv y it t h gl n wi th h athe ry sl o p s b o th sid s

e s, e , e e e e on e
AR THUR HUGH CLOUGH 29 1
Bro ad a d fair t h str am wi t h o cc asi nal falls a d narro ws

n e e , o n
B u t whe re t h g l e n f i t s c o u rs
,
pp ro ac h s t h v al f t he riv r
e o e a e e e o e ,
Me t d b l o c k d by a h g inte rp o sing m ass f g r ni te

an e u e o a ,
Sc rc e by a c hann l d ee p t r aging p d ragi g o nward

a e cu
-
, u , an n ,
F r c e s it fl d thr gh a p assag so narro w a l ady wo uld ste p it

o s oo ou e .
T h re ac ro ss t h g r at r o cky wharv s a wo d n b ridg go

e ,
e e e , o e e e s,
C arryi g a p ath t t h f r st b l w t hr h ndre d yards say

n o e o e e o , ee u , ,
Lo w r i l v l s o m twe nty fiv f t thr gh flats o f shi gl

e n e e e - e ee , ou n e,
St pping sto n s a d c rt trac k c r ss i t h p n v all y

e -
e n a a -
o n e o e e .
B u t i t h int r v al he r t h b ili g p e nt p w at r
n e e e e o n -
u e
Fr s i ts lf by a final d s c nt att ining a b asin

ee e e e , a ,
T en f e e t wid a d i ght n lo ng wi th whi t n ss a d f ry

e n e ee , e e n u
O cc pi d p ar tly b t m tly p ll cid p r

u e , mirro r ;u os e u , u e, a
B a tif l th r f t h c o l r d riv d f r m gr e n ro cks und r

e u u e e or e ou e e o e e
B a tif l m o st f all wh re b ads o f f o am p rising

e u u , o , e e u
Mingl th ir cl o ds o f white wi th t h d li cate h o f t h stilln ss

e e u e e ue e e ,
C li ff v r c li ff f it s s id s wi th ro w n a d p nd nt bir c h b ghs
o e or e , a n e e ou ,
H r it lie s unth g ht o f ab v e at t he b ridg a d p thway

e e , ou o e n a ,
Still m r nc l o s d f r o m b l w by w d d ro c ky p r j cti n
o e e e e o oo an o e o .
Y o a shu t i
u re l ft alo n wi th y rs lf d pe rf cti n f w te r
n , e e ou e an e o o a ,
H id all sid e s l e ft al o n wi t h y o u rse lf a d t h g dd ss o f b at hin g

6
on , e n e o e .
A Lo ng Vac ati o n p arty s hum o urs we re ne ve r be t t e r ’
t o uche d o ff W e he ar t he l e arne d Tuto r s gr ave disse r t a

-
.
’
ti o ns fo r instanc e o n n ature s o bj e cti o ns t o e qu al i t y ,

’
Star i t q l t st r o b l s m t h sam e a b l s m
s no e ua o a , n r o so e s o so
Th re i g l ry f d i i s a gl ry ag in f c arnati ns ;
e s a o o a s e , o a o o
W r t h c r ti wis i gay par te rr by g r n h s

e e e a na on e , n e ee -
ou e,
S h uld it d c l in t acc pt t h n rt r t h g ard n r g iv it

o e e o e e u u e e e e es ,
S h uld it r f s t o xp d t o
o e u e a d g ni al s mm r e an sun n e u e ,
S imply b e c a se t h fi ld daisy that g ro ws i t h g rass pl t b sid it

u e e -
n e -
a e e ,
C nno t f so m c a s
a , or the r de v l o p a d b a c arnati n
e u e or o , e n e o
W l d t t h daisy i ts lf pe titi n it s c r p l o s ighb r

ou no e e o s u u u ne ou
Up g r w b l o m a d f rge t me b e b e a tif l v n t p ro u d n ss
, o , o , n o u u e e o e ,
f t he s ak o f my s lf a d o the r p o r d aisi s l ik m e
’ ’ 7
E en or e e , n o e e .
Co n te mp o rari e s we re able an d a mus e d t o fo ll o w t he gay , ,
b ante r o f hi s pupi l s a m o ng the ms e l ve s n o t e xtr ao rdi n ari l y ,
witty an y m o re than t he ir s age instructo r s phil o s o phy

,
’
T 2
292 FIVE CEN TURIES OF EN GLISH VERSE
is p articu l ar l y c o nvi ncing bu t curi o us l y d ive rting t he ,
p l aying at re adi ng an d at l o ve m aking t he ho spitalitie s o f -
c hi e ft ains an d l o c al n o b le m e n whe n Oxf o r d un d e rgra du ate s ,
we re still n o ve l tie s in t he N o rth T he who l e c arri e d t he .
publ ic t aste by st o r m H o p e o f Il ay Linds ay t he Pipe r .

, ,
Po e t an d Ch artist He ws o n A rthur Aud l e y an d t he gre at , ,
H o bbe s ,
C o nt m pl ativ e c r p l nt wi tty
e ,
o u e , ,
be c am e h o u s e h o ld wo rd s Eve n t he m e tre o di o us fro m .

,
o th e r p e ns ,
w as a cc e pte d s m i l ing l y fr o m Cl o u gh— h e x a
m e t e r s in d e sh abi ll e .
The re he an d hi s wo rld we re in e ntir e u ni s o n Th at his .
Mu s e p o ss e ss e d m o r e th an o r di n ary gifts had he cho se n t o ,
u se the m fo r c o ntinuing t o dr aw i t in he r t r ain is e vi d e nt

, ,
fr o m Pe sc hi e r a an d t he appl au s e which gre e te d it

,
Y o say u S inc so it is — g o d b y
,
e ,
o -
e
S w e t l if high ho pe b t whats e e r
e e, u o
’
M ay b o mu st o t o ngu shall d r
e, r , n e a e
T te ll o T he Lo m b ard f e are d t d i
,
o e
Ah t fo i dl hat r d n o t
no r e e ,
F o h n r f m n o s lf app l a s
r o ou ,
a e, r e - u e,
B ut f t he g l ry f t h c a s
or o o e u e,
Y o u d id what will o t b e f o rg o t
, n .
An d th g h t he s t rang r s t and t is t r
’
ou e ,
ue ,
B y f o r c a d f rt n s r ight h st nds
e n o u e
’
e a
B y f o rt n which i s i G o d s hand s
u e n
’
,
And stre ngth whi ch y t shall spring i y , e n ou .
T hi s v o ic d id o my spir it fall e n ,
P schi ra whe n t hy b ridge I c ro st

e e , ,
T i b e tt e r t hav e f o ght a d l o st
’
s o u n ,
Than ne ve r t o have f o ght at all u

8
It an d t he siste r lyr ic c ar r yi ng a ste p o nward t he s am e ,
he ro ic tho ught th at b rave an d blo o dy f ai l ure s in a h o l y

,
29 4 FIVE CEN TURIES OF EN GLISH VERSE
s e r vi c e H i s yo uth w as c ast in a time o f me nt al an d spiritu al
.
qu e sti o nings a ctive e sp e ci all y a m o ng pu pi l s o f A rn o ld

, .
Pe ri l o us l y as the y di sturbe d t he gre at te ache r s o wn s o n ’
singing ke pt o n t he wh o l e with hi m its in de pe n de nce His .
fri e n d his T hy r s is had a l e ss i mpe ri o us i m agin at i o n o r

, ,
a m o re re st l e ss l y an d u n se lfi shly l o gic al c o nsci e nc e F ro m .
an e ar l y p e ri o d t he p o e tic instinct in hi m be c a m e pr i m ari l y
an instrum e nt fo r e mb o dying fixing if o n l y fo r a time , , ,
his sh ado wings o f e xist e nc e pre s e nt p ast an d future o f , , , ,
t he g o ve rn me nt o f t he Uni ve rs e o f In fini ty Ve rs e be c ame , .
his me ans fo r e xpre ssing t he c o n flict in his s o u l b e t we e n

.
sc e pticism an d mysticism .
At m o me nts t he s o ngste r in hi m w o ul d ris e an d c ar o l .
It w as o n l y as it we re by an accide nt R e all y he w as m o r e .
his p ro pe r s e l f e ve n in uns atisfying E ast e r D ay Od e s

Christ n o t Rise n y e t Rise n T he Que sti o ning Spirit
Be the s d a 1° —
’
th an in t he m usic o f t he Swiss g ir l s ’
c att l e c all Mo st o f all w as he hi ms e lf in a m o ving if

-
.
,
unh o p e ful cry such as Parting

, ,
O te ll me f rie nds whil e y e t y he ar

, , e ,
M ay it n t b e s o m e c o m i g y e ar
o , n ,
T he se ancie nt p aths t hat h re d iv id e e
S hall y e t ag ain r id e by sid un s e ,
A d y o f r o m t h re a d I f r o m he re
n u e ,
n ,
All o a su dd n re app e ar
n e
0 t ll m f ri ds w hile y t y e he ar
e e ,
en , e
O t e ll me f rie nd s y e hardly h ar
, , e ,
An d i f ind e e d y e d id I f e ar ,
Y w o u ld
e t say y w o ld no t s p e ak
,
e u no ,
A e y o u s o st r o ng am I so w e ak
r , ,
A d y e t ho w mu ch s o e e r I y e arn
’
n , ,
Can I n o t f o ll w o y o u t uorn , n r
0 te ll m e f ri d y hardly he ar 1
, en s, e
11
ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH 295
or in t he s o le mn ch ant o f an appe al agains t d o gm atizing

o n t he Un kn o w ab l e
0 Th i t hat m y s t ri o s shrin
ou, n e u e
E thro ne d a I m s t ay di vin
n , s u s , e
I will o t f ram o
n th ght f wh t e ne ou o a
T h m y st i th r b
ou a e t e e e or no .
I will t p r t e f th s
no d a o u an so
And b p r fan wi th y a d
e o e es n no
E no g h t hat in o
u so u l a d h art ur n e
Th whats r Th m ay st b a t
ou, oe e
’
ou
’
e, r .
Uns e s c r i that high shrin

e n , e u e n e
Ack wl dg d p r s nt d d ivi
no e e e e an ne,
I will o t a k
n m pp r i s so e u e a r,
S m f t r d y t pl ac T h t h r
o e u u e a o e ee e e
N o r say y t d ny s c h m
, nor e e , u en
A d w o m n aw T h
n eth s a d th n
s ee u n e
T hy nam w a s c h e d th r h r
s u , an e e or e e
T him
o h Th u di d t app ear
or er o s .
D
o on ly Th i that d im shrin ou n e,
U k o wn kn w r main di in ;
n n or o n , e , v e
Th re e, orif t at l as t i ys
no , e n e e
Th t c n t h f ct th t r nd th m li s
a s a e a a ou e e
T h h nd t
e a w y t h j dg m nt gu id
o s a , e u e e,
nI si gh t d s Thy lf divid
an e n se , se e
B Th
e b t t r
ou h —i s l a d he art
u e e, h ou n ,
I will t a k t o f l Th
no ts ee o u ar .
12
W he the r at all o r ho w far he succ e e d e d in di sc o ve ring

, ,
a c l u e t o t he pr o b l e ms e h an dl e s whe the r he might n o t

h —
,
by p assing the m by h ave had a brighte r c are e r an d be e n

, ,
h appi e r pe rs o n ally is a qu e sti o n n o s t r ange r c an ans w e r

,
with assuranc e T o me he ne ve r app e ars t o h ave fe l t that

.
o u t o f all hi s s e l f in t e r r o gat in gs he had pi o ne e r e d a v i a

-
m e di a Ce rt ainl y t he go spe l he pre ache d t o hi ms e lf m ad e

.
fe w c o nve rts o utsid e W ith t he e xc e p t i o ns o f T he B o thi e

.
an d Pe sch ie r a w ith its c o mp ani o n hi s p o e ms we re as l itt l e ,
he e de d in his l if e time The y ar e with t he s a m e e xce pti o ns

.
,
l e ss re ad n o w H e hi ms e lf di d n o t mi n d an d wo u ld n o t
.
,
m in d .H e di d n o t s e e k fo r t he f a m e e ithe r o f p o e t o r o f
pr o phe t N e ve r c o ul d it h ave o ccurre d t o him t o b e di s
.
ap o in t e d t hat i t did n o t an d has n o t c o m e T h e Eng li s h

p , ,
.
pu b l ic t ake s s m all p l e as u r e in phi l o s o phi c al p o e try un l e ss ,
an e xtr a o r d in ary h ar m o ny b e inspir e d by an e a rthy s e l f l o v e -
li ke Om a r Kh ayy am s an d Ar thur C l o u gh s m e l o dy an d
’ ’
p hi l o s o phy ar e n o t thu s inspir e d Me anw hil e he w an de rs .

,
a b o u t Vict o ri a n l it e r atur e l i ke a p hant o m S o m e ti me s

’
.
,
h o we ve r ph ant o ms be c o m e as muc h f o rc e s as ar e subst anc e s

,
an d h e re aft e r it m ay happ e n t o b e s o with him It is in .
tru th di fficu lt t o b e l i e ve that a spi ri t s o graci o us so e age r ,
t o l e a rn as we ll as te ach s o o rigin al s o re ve r e nt so o p e n , , ,
m ind e d so p e ne t rating in its insight w ith a p e rs o n al ity s o

, ,
int e r e sting s o st ar l i ke s o ge ne ro us l y ho t ag ainst injustic e

,
-
,
an d t yr anny g inst th m l ne c an actu all y b e as

— an d a a e a o —
f aint in its in flu e nc e a s t he d e adn e ss o f p o pul ar att e nti o n

t o t he w o r k s it p e rm e at e s w o u l d s e e m t o pr o ve .
P m b y A th r H gh Cl gh W ith M m ir S ix th Ed iti
oe s r u u ou . a e o . on .
M c m ill
a C 1 878
an o .
, .
1A Riv r P l (E rly P m ) e oo a oe s .
2 S g i Ab c t 4
on s n se n e , s . .
3
£ e Ad p q(E rly P m ) '
r ) a oe s .
D ip y h (p b li h d ft r Cl u gh d t h) P rt I I Sc 2
’
4 a
s c us u s e e o s ea , a , . .
5
It d m m e t o(M i c ll u P m ) t a z 1 —2
sa u r ae
a s e an e o us oe s , s n s .
6
T h B t hi efT b r V li h 3
o e o o e -
n a- uo c , .
7
I b id 2 . P c hi ra (M i c ll o P m ) ta z 8 9 1 0
, .
3
es e s e an e us oe s , s n as , , .
9
S ay N o t
1 °
tr
E as e D ay (N aple s 1 84 9 ) (R e li gi o u s P o e m s ) E ast e r D ay I I
, .
, .
T he Q ti ues o n in g Spirit (Po e ms o n Life an d Du ty) Be thes d a a S e q u e l .

,
11 Parti g (E arly P m ) ta za 3 —4
n oe s , s n s .
{Sm (R ligi P ms) t z as 3

'
12 dv /or /o s e ous oe , s an -
5 .
l ighte d l ake an d o n t he Te rrac e at Be rne Th o ugh t he .
sin o f mo no to ny c ann o t b e ch arge d ag ainst hi s ve rse n o t ,
m any ke ys ar e t o uch e d Such as s o un d ar e all s o l e mn

.
an d auste r e The n n o Matthe w A rn o ld Cu l t has a ris e n

.
,
- -
.
N o c o ngre g ati o n h o we ve r minut e o f r e ve r e nt disc i p le s

, ,
g athe rs t o g e the r in his n ame Pe rs o ns o f re fine m e nt .
a d mir e .The y nur s e t he e m o ti o n in th e ir o wn b re asts .
The y fe ar t o vu l g ariz e it by pub l ishing it abr o ad T he .
c o ntr o ve rsi al f a m e whi ch he acqu ir e d in t he c o nc l u di ng

s t age s o f his c ar e e r has its e lf in a w ay acte d ad ve rs e l y .
T he s e nti me nt o f his e ss ays w as th o ugh in t he bi tt e r ,
with o ut t he s we e t akin t o t h at o f his ve rs e In l atte r d ays

, .
his p o e try o fte n appe are d t o b e re g ar de d as an appe n d age

t o his e ss ays r ath e r th an th e y t o it .
Of t he l imit ati o ns in f act t o his p o pul ari ty the re c an

, ,
b e n o qu e sti o n The y we r e ne c e ss ary re sul ts o f his wh o l e

.
h abit o f m ind H e had an e xce ssive te n de ncy t o w ar ds

.
c o ns ide ring t he p o e t a pre ache r t o war ds ch anting h o mi l ie s

,
o n t he lo w a ims an d p u rsui ts o f m o d e rn s o ci e ty its tins e l , ,
its e arthi ne ss H e l ai d hims e l f o pe n t o t he r e p ro ach o f

.
p aradi ng as a di sc o ve re r o f t he h o ll o wn e ss o f l ife H e w as .
pr o ud o f be ing t hr o ugh his h o n e sty a h o m e l e ss wan de re r

, ,
f o r l o rn f ro m t he he arth o f o rth o d o xy S o m e tim e s he .
phi l o s o phiz e d wh e n he o ught t o h ave be e n singing Ofte n .
his tho ughts pre ss e d fo r ward so e age rly as t o thr e ate n t o

sti fle o n e an o th e r N o t m e re l y ar e his p o e ms u nre l ie ve d
.
by a sing le fl ash o f g aie ty the y ar e n o t l ight e d by a sp ar kl e

of j oy . L ast l y an d m o st d e tri m e nt all y he insiste d up o n
, , ,
p e rh aps c o u l d n o t h e l p m ixing t he wo r k o f t he critical with

,
th at o f t he c re ative fa cu l ty H e wo u l d sit in j u dge m e nt

.
up o n t he purity o f his o wn inspir ati o n up o n t he qu anti t y

o f c an dl e p o we r o f t he t o ngu e s o f fi r e as th e y al ighte d up o n
-
him On e an d all ar e he avy fe tte rs upo n f ancy ; an d as

.
MATTHE W AR N OLD 299
such t he ge ne r al e ve n t he instruc te d pub li c has a l w ays

, ,
fe l t th e m .
F o r an int i m ate circ l e the y e nh anc e r e spe ct fo r t he

p o we rs w hich c an b u rst thr o ugh s u ch o bstac l e s T he .
drawb ac k s ar e fo r it t he e xal ting d e fe cts o f his Mus e s ’
qu al iti e s H ad he n o t d e vi ate d int o pre achi ng w e s ho ul d

.
, ,
it wi ll urge h ave l o st t he he r o ic dirge o f Rugby Ch ape l N o

, .
app e al in Chr ist s n a m e w o ul d h av e b e e n r ais e d in Pr o gre ss

’
, ,
fo r symp athy with wh at e ve r F ait h r e ge ne r ate s H ad he .
n o t b e e n ap t t o c o nf o u nd phi l o s o p hi zing an d singing we ,
might h ave be e n sp are d t he c ro ss graine d m e dit ati o ns o f -
E mp e do c l e s but sho ul d h ave miss e d t he l o ve l y inte rl u de s

,
o n t he h arp o f Callic le s T hre e f o urths o f T he Bu ri e d Life .

-
ar e psych o l o gy r ath e r th an p o e try but with o ut the m w e

had lest t he music o f t he c l o s e — t he su dde n p ause in l ife s
’
distr acte d turm o i l

Wh n o u wo rld d af d a
e r -
e cn
’
c r
I by t h t n d v ic c
’
d
’
s fal e o es o ov o e ar e ss
A b o l t i s h t b c k s m w h re i br t
fl
s o a o e e n o ur e as ,
And l o st p l f f ling stirs g in

a u se o ee a a ,
Th y sink
e e i w rd
e a d t h h r t l i s p l
s in n a , n e ea e a ,
A d w h t w m an w e ay
n a d what w w u ld w e kn w !
e e ,
s , an e o o
A ma b c m s aware o f hi lif s w
n e o e s e
’
o ,
An d h ars i t winding m rm r
e d h s s s u u , an e ee
T h m ad o ws wh re it g lid s t h
e e un t h br z e e , e s , e ee e,
A d th r arriv s a l u ll i t he h t r ac e
n e e e n o
W h r in h d o th f v r ch s
e e e or e e a e
That flying a d l siv shad o w r st n e u e , e .
A a i f c o l ss p l y s p n hi f ac
n r o o ne a u o s e,
A d n nwo nt d c lm p rvad hi b re ast

an u e a e es s .
A d t h n h thi ks h k o ws
n e e n e n
T h hills w h r hi lif r s
e e e s e o e,
And t h s a whe r it g o s e e e e .
1
T he B acch analia wi tho u t ,

t he r a mbl ing pre l ude w o ul d ,
300 FIVE CE NT URIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
n ot h ave d anc e d fro m t he si l e nce o f de ath int o t he si le nc e
o f l iving l ight
An d t h p l in whe r t h d d ag
’
o er e a , e e ea e
D i d it w sil nt w r f r w ag
s no e a a e e
’
O er that w id pl in w w apt i gl o m e a , no r n o ,
W he r m y spl nd o r finds it t m b
e an a e u s o ,
M ny sp nt flam s a d falle n ni ghts

a e e n
T he o t w imm rt al li g ht s
ne or o o
Ris sl o wl y p int o t h sk y
e u e
oT shin t h r v rl sti gly

e e e e e a n ,
Lik st ars v r t h b nding hill

e o e e ou .
Th e e p c h nd t h wo rld i st ill
o e s, e s
?
Wi t ho u t t he vain e ffo rt in t he Epi lo gue t o Le ssing s ’
fl
L ao c o ii n t o m arsh a l t he arts in th e i r re sp e cti ve r an k s w e ,
sho u l d h ave l o st t he n o b le t ri bute t o M usic

Mis r r D min
e e e, o e
T h w rds d a d th y
’
e o tt ar e u er , n e ee .
D p is th ir p ni te ntial m an
ee e e o ,
Mi ghty th ir p th s b t t is g n !
e a o , u
’
o e
B th v n t k s th m th n— tho s t w
ee o e a e e e e o
o P o r b o nde d w rds — a d m ak s th m w
, u o n e e ne
nI fin i te m ke s th m m k s th m y u g
a e , a e e o n
Transpl ants th m t o ano the r t o g e n ue ,
Wh r th y
e e o w wi t ho t c ns t raint
e c an n , u o ,
ouP r ll t h s ul o f th ir c o m pl ai t
a e o e n ,
A d r ll d wn
n o c h nn l l arg
a o a a e e
T h w l t h di vine t h y hav in c harg

e ea e e e .
Pag ft r p ag e o f m i c t rn
e a e us u ,
And still th y liv d still th y b r e e an e u n ,
eP re n i al p assi n f ra ght a d f re
n , o -
u , n e
Mi re r D o min
se e, e
3
Eve n w he n w e fe e l hi m str ai ni ng afte r an i de a

e v a d e s hi s gr a sp a s in T he Str aye d R e ve ll e r t he te n dri l s
, ,
o f fl o ating f ancy c l ing t o a hun dre d e nt ranc ing sc e ne s .
Ego tistic al is he ? If an y o n e is a l ic e ns e d e g o tist is n o t ,
a po e t ? W e ary w o rn o u t bl as é t o o if he p le as e s o l o ng
,
-
, , ,
It st o d a d
o a d m nshin rain d th ir light
, n su n n oo e
’
e
O t h p r c l mns f i t g l n b il t hall
n e u e o u o s e -
u .
B ackw rd d f rw rd o ll d t h w v s o f fight
a an o a r
’
e a e
R un d Tr y b t whil this s t d Tro y c o ld t f all

o o u e oo , u no .
lo v ly m o nlight liv s t h s l
So , in i t s e o , e e ou
M nt ains s rr nd it a d sw t virgin ai
ou u ou , n ee r ;
C ld pl shi g p st it c rystal wat rs r o ll ;
o a n , a , e
W vi i t it by m m nts h t o rar
e s o e , a , o e
Still d o th t he so u l f ro m i t s lo ne f astne ss hig h

, ,
Up o n o u r lif e a ru li g e fil c e se nd n
’
uen
And whe n i t f ail s fight as w e will w e d ie

, , , ,
An d whil i t l ast w e c anno t who ll y e d

e s, n .
7
T he drama o f m an s inne r l ife as s e e n by Ar n o ld is ’

, ,
a tr ag e d y in m any a cts w ith m any a ct ors It c o m me nce s ,

.
w ith a str u gg l e o fte n t he p l aye r c ast fo r a l e ading p art

ne ve r s e e s t he e n d ; o fte n it has n o e n d whe n the re is
a n y a lw a ys it is gri e v o u s
,
T he bitt e rne ss o f it all t aints .
He ine s gr ave in tri m Mo ntm artre

’
fl
H ark thro u gh t he all y re s unds e o
Mo cking l au ghte r A film

C re e p s o e t h sunshine a b re e z e
’
r e
R u f e s t he w arm aft e rn o o n ,
S add ns m y so u l wi th i t s c hill
e
Gi bing o f spiri t s i n sc o rn
Mars t he b e ni gn ant r p o se e
Of t his ami ab l e ho m e o f t he d e ad .
8
It had ro bbe d him l ivi ng o f t he s o u rce of t he one supre m e

gift as a p o e t th at he miss e d
C harm t he gl o ry whi ch m ak s
,
e
S o g o f t he po e t divi ;
n ne
9
T hep l ay s c l im ax m ay b e t he c at ast ro ph e
’
of a mo me nt ,
such as fro z e int o e te rn al de sp air

fl
MATTHEW AR N OLD 303
t hat Lo rd Arund e l ,
W ho s t ru c k in he at hi s c hild he l o v e d so w e ll
, ,
And his c hild s re as o n ick d an d did d ie

’
er
’
,
.
Painte d— he will d it — ln t h g all ry ’

e e
The y han g ; t he pi ctu re do th t he sto ry te ll .

10
Or it may b e
o
an nc e asing ache l ik e t he ne ve r sti lle d
u , ,
o ld
wo r ld s o rr o w ing o f t aw ny thr o at e d P hil o m e l a -
E te rnal p assi o n
E t rnal p ain ! e
n
Vainl y m an s e e k s t o ri o t hims e l f into fo rge tfulne ss o f t he

h o llo wn e ss o f e xiste nc e as in t he d r e ar y r e v e lr y o f Myce rin us
, ,
wh o s e
so me tim s w nd ring s u l e o e o
F r m t h l d j yf l l a ght r f hi li ps
o e ou o u u e o s
Mi ght shrink h lf s t rtl d lik a g il ty maa a e , e u n
W h wr st l s wi t h hi dr am
o e e s e .
12
Equall y t o n o purpo s e wi ll he p l o t t o circu m ve nt his d o o m

o f n o t hingn e ss by c o nd e mning himse l f t o t he grinding
,
we arine ss o f a l ivi ng d e ath t he Carthusi ans

— ’
gl m pr f d oo o o un ,
Y s l mn s t s f h l y p ain !
e o e ea
13
'
o o
T he b att le always is l o st be fo r e it w as fo ught .
A tim e w as whe n hum anity s e e m e d at l ast to h a ve

gr aspe d triumph antl y a s aving Faith
Oh, had I v e in t hat li d g re at d ay ,
H o w had i t s g o y n e w l r
r
F ill d e a th an d he ave
’
n , an d c au ght away
My r av i sh
’
d spirit t oo
N o tho u g ht that t o t he o s w rld be l ng o
d ins
H ad t o o ag a s w
t t he av e
l w i d s tro g
Of o ve h ch se t so e e p an d n
F r m C hrist s th n p n grav
o
’
e o e e.
No l n ly lif had p ass d t sl w
o e e
’
oo o
Wh n I c ld h rly
e ou ou se e
That w a ail d F rm wi th h ad d o p d lo w
n ,
n
’
o , e r o
’
,
Up o n t h b itt r tr e e ee
C ld
ou t he M th r wi th t he C hild
se e o e
Who s t nder winni g art s

e e n
H v t hi littl arms b gui l d

a e o s e e e
S m any w nd d h art s
o ou e e
W hil w b l i v d o ar th he w nt
e e e e e , n e e ,
A d p n s t d hi g r av
n o e oo s e
M all d f r m c ham b r c h r c h a d t t
’
en c o e , u ,
n en ,
And Christ w by t s av as o e .
14
Th at un te n ante d gr ave with t he visi o n o f H im w ho had , ,
o nc e l ain the r e in asc e n di ng t o hi s He ave n t o pr e p ar e it

,
fo r m e n t u rn e d m any a c o nv u l si o n o f d e sp air as in t he
, ,
a d o r a b l e st o ry o f t he Church o f B r o u an d i t s wi d o we d ,
F o un d re ss int o ange l ic re sign ati o n— a r e sign ati o n o u t

,
l asting l ife
S sl p f r e v r sl p 0 m ar b l p air
o ee , o e ee , e
Or if y w ak e l t i t b t h n wh n f air
, e , e e e ,
e
O t h c arv e d w st rn f r o t a fl d o f li ght
n e e e n oo
Str ams f ro m t he s tti g

e a d c o l o rs b ri g ht e n su n , n u
Pro ph ts t a figu d S aints a d M rtyrs b rav e

e , r ns re , n a
I t h v as t w st rn wind w f t h nav
n e e e o o e e
An d t h p v m nt r u d t h t m b t h r gli n t s
on e a e e o n e o e e
A c h q r w rk o f g l o wi g s pphir tints
e ue -
o n a e ,
An d a m t h y s t a d r
e by — t h n u cl s , n u e n o e
Y r y lids t he st o n wh r y r po s
fl
ou e e on e e e e e e,
A d f r m y r b id d p ill o ws l ift y o r h ads

’
n o ou ro er u e ,
An d r ai y o y r c ld whit m ar bl b e ds
se u on ou o e e ,
A d l ki g d w
n oo t h warm r o sy tint s
n o n on e
W hich ch q r at y r f t t h ill mine d i t

e ue , ou ee , e u n s,
S ay What i t is 2 W a
: h i b liss f rgiv n
—s
‘
e re n o e
B h ld t h p av m nt f t h c rts f H av n
e o e e e o e ou o e e
O l t it b e o a t mn n i g hts wh n rain
r e n u u ,
e
D th r tli gly ab v y r h ads c m pl ai

o us n o e ou e o n
c l o s e we always c an i m agine we he ar a d e l ive ry o f j u dge me nt
o f d e c ay an d d e a t h In varying c a d e nc e s o f m o u rnfu lne ss
.
,
s o bs o f pr o t e st r e c o gniz e d by t he victim as un avail ing

, ,
ar e r ais e d ag ainst t he ine vi t ab l e b l an kn e ss The y ar e .
s ucc e e d e d at b e st by a cqui e sc e nc e in w o e b e y o nd c o mp a r e ,
which l e ave s n o m o re t o suffe r W hat th o u gh thr o ugh o ut

.
,
t he w h o l e w e ar e s e nsib l e o f s o m e affe ct a t i o n in t he gui l ty

,
o f gri e f w hich d o e s n o t gri e v e — o f s o m e p o sitive p p

r e o s ,
t e r o u s pri d e in t he re m ar k ab l e e l e v ati o n o f s o u l w hi ch has

e l e ct e d hi m t o b e a r e m o rs e f u l e xi l e fr o m t he Kingd o m o f
F aith inste ad o f a c o m m o n c o mfo rt ab l e b e l i e ve r ! At all

e ve nts a rtistic v a l u e s in t he pict ur e ar e intui t ive l y o bs e rve d ;
,
an d t he p aint e r m o r e o ve r had a ct u all y p ass e d thr o u gh t he
spiritu al e xp e ri e nc e s he p o rtr ays .
H e had int e rr o g ate d hum an n atur e ; p artic ul a r l y hi s ,
o wn . H e ha d r ans ac k e d l ibr a ri e s ; a lwa ys fo r his o w n

mind s s ak e t o di scip line an d e nrich i t ; t o l e a rn w h at
’
m ann e r o f b e ing he m ight h ave b e e n an d w as n o t o r w a s ,

.
F o r him t he o n e thi ng w o rth und e rst an di ng w as t he c o mp l e x

o rg anis m o f m a n s h e art an d int e ll e ct T o kn o w it he us e d
’
.
hims e lf as s u bj e ct sc al p e l an d l e cture r His h abit o f

, ,
.
id e n t ifying vi rtu ally t he fu ncti o ns o f wri te r an d cri t ic w as

a n e c e ssity o f t he p o siti o n he assum e d W e c an c o nte m .
p l ate him diss e c t ing hi s inne r p e rs o n al ity n o ting ho w his ,
s o u l whi ch o rigin all y had g l o we d with d e vo ti o n e xul t e d

, ,
in t he di sc o ve ry o f it s l ibe rty the n

—
W d ring b tw n t w wo rlds
an e e ee o , one d ad
e ,
Th the r p o w rl s t b b rn
e o e es o e o ,
19
waite d f o r l o rn in t he disc o rd o f c o ntr ary e nthusi asms ,
h ar ass e d by rival c l aims t o all e gi anc e sc ar e d distr acte d , , ,
s e are d b e numbe d ; an d fin all y whe n t he c o mp any l o st

, , , ,
in t he st o rm ,
MATTHE W AR N OLD 3 07
at ni ghtf all , at l st
a
C m s t o t h e n d o f i t w ay
o e e s ,
T o t he l o ne l y i m id t he r o c ks
’
nn
Wh r t he gaunt a d t aci tu rn ho st
e e n
Stands o n t he thre sho ld t he wind ,
S haking his thin whi te hairs

H o lds his l ante rn to sc an
T h s t o rm b e a t figu re s an d asks
e -
,
Who m i n o r party we b ring u
Who m w hav e l ft i t he sno w 2

e e n
‘
20
w as c o n te nt t o le t t he d o ubt re m ain un re s o l ve d e ve n by
hi ms e lf w he th e r he wi ll b e o f t he r e mn ant t o w h o m t he
,
que sti o n is put W he n n o w an d ag ain suspici o n a ris e s as

.
,
I h ave s ai d o f a w ant o f ge nu ine ne ss in t he angui s h i t

, ,
c an b e a d m it t e d with o ut t o o m uc h o ffe nc e t o t he h o n o u r
o f t he suffe r e r H e is o p e r ato r th o u gh o n hi m se lf an d
.
, ,
hi s pri m ary d u ty w as t o app l y t he knife T o fin d f au l t .
with hi s assu mpti o n o f t he d o ub le c har acte r is t o stri ke

at t he b asis o f hi s intim at e p o e try ; an d wi th t hat w e
c ann o t affo rd t o qu arre l .
—
T ake hi m as e is b o dy at o nce an d an ato mis t p o e t an d
h ,
critic— an d study o f hi s wo r k wi ll b o th i nf o r m an d d e light .
Wh e the r he vivi s e ct his o wn s o ul o r an o the r s he hi m se l f ,

’
r e m ains t he princip al o bj e ct o f in te re s t T he Sc ho l ar .
Gipsy is a picture sque visi o n o f t he le ge nd a ry be ing w ho
fl
had d o ffe d t he tr a m m e lli ng g o wn y e t c o ul d n o t t e a r hi ms e lf ,
o u t o f h e aring o f Oxf o r d s s we e t j an g ling be lls a m o ng

’
.
,
t he w rm g re e n m
a ,
-
u f ed C u mno r hills ?1
So is d e p arte d T hyr sis in t he siste r idyll re d o le nt o f t he

,
fr agr an t be auty ali ke o f Lycid as an d t he Od e t o a Gr e ci an ,
U r n y e t di stinct fr o m b o t h B ut t he fin a l c ause o f e a c h i s
, .
t o e ch o Matthe w A rn o l d an d in e ach w e s e arch fo r an d

,
d isc o ve r him an d hi s m o o d s B y ro n hi mse l f d o e s n o t l o o m

.
U 2
m o re l arge ly in e ve ry p o e m he wro te th an Ar n o ld in hi s .
T he m o r e i mpr e ssive t he p o e t an d his ve rs e t he m o re w e fe e l ,
t he critic t he psych o l o gist an alysing c har a cte rizing e ve r y

, , ,
tissue e ve ry n e rve c e ntr e an d w e ad mi r e an d symp athiz e

'
-
,
w ith b o th t he m o re .
H e w as b o rn a p o e t an d he had t r ain e d hi m s e lf t o b e
a c o nsum m at e a r tist in w o rd s Mi l to n in t he ch o ruse s o f .
S am s o n Ago niste s has n o t e qu alle d t he fle xible h ar m o ny

o f t he b l an k ve rs e o f Rugby Ch ap e l an d He in e s Gr ave
’
.
T e nnys o n in t he S wan s de ath—s o ng sc arc e l y sur p ass e s

’
D o ve r Be ach in t he music o f t he e b b an d ,
I t s m l anc ho l y l o g wi thdrawing r o ar
e , n , .
I am afr aid t o prais e l e st I b e accus e d o f e x agge r atio n t he

, ,
pe rfe ct acc o rd o f h ar m o ny an d c o mp l aint in t he Fo rs ake n

Me rm an s cry o f mi l d h o p e l e ssn e ss
’
C hildr n t mi d ight e , a n ,
Wh n s o ft t h winds bl o w
e e ,
Wh n cle ar f lls t h m nlight

e a e oo ,
W h n s prin g tides a lo w
e - re
Wh n sw t airs c m s award
e ee o e e
F ro m h aths t a d wi th b r m
e s rr
’
oo ,
And high k s t hr o w mildl y roc

’
O t h b la h d s ands a g l o o m
’
n e nc
Up t h still g li t i g b ach s
e , s en n e e ,
Up t h c r ks w will hi
e ee e e,
Ov r b nks o f b right s w d
e a e a- ee
Th b b tid l av s dry
e e -
e e e .
W will gaz f r m t h s and hill

e e, o e - s,
A t t h whi t sl ping t wn
‘
e e, ee o
A t t h chu r ch o n t h hill id
e e -
s e
And th n c m e b ack d o wn ;
e o
S in ging Th r dw lls a l v e d : e e e o one,
B t cr l i h
u ue s s e
S h l ft l n l y f e v r
e e o e or e ,
T h king s o f t h
’ 23
e e se a .
3
E i pl g o ue to L e ssin g ’
s L ao c oon .
4
G r wi g
o n Old .
5
T he L as t W o rd .
6
L i W ritt i K i gt G rd
n es en n ens n on a en s .
7
P ll d i m t z a 2 3 6
a a u , s an s , , .
9
Hi Gr v
e ne s
’
a e .
I b id .
1 °
A Pict r at N wst
u e e e ad .
Phi l m l o e a .
1’
M yc i e r n us .
13
St z fr m t h Gr d Ch rtr
an as o e an e a e u se .
14
Ob rm e O c M r an n n e o e .
15
T h Ch rch f Br
e 3 T h T mb
u o ou, , e o .
Ob rm e O c M r an n n e o e .
17
B ld r D d
a e ea . S hr b
o a an d Ru stu m .
1 9
St z fr m t h Gr d Ch t
an as o e an e ar r e u s e , s t . 15 .
R gby Ch p l
u a e .
71
T he Sch l G ip y
o ar - s .
D v r B ch
o e ea .
23
T he F k M rm
o rsa en e an .
R O B E RT B R O W N I N G
1 8 1 2 — 1 889
LI T E R AR Y histo ry fu rnis he s m any e xa mpl e s o f pr o s e

write rs who h ave e mp l o ye d the i r wits an d p e ns in d e ciphe r
ing t he i r o wn t ho ugh t s an d e m o ti o ns S o m e a m o ng m any .
ar e Cic e r o Marcus Aure l i u s St Augu stine Mo nt aigne

, ,
.
, ,
Pasc al R o uss e au Ste rn e pe rh aps Ce rvante s W e h ave t o

, , ,
.
s e arch be fo r e fin ding c l e ar p ar alle l s in p o e t ry I d o n o t .
m e an th at p o e ts d o n o t h abitu all y l ight up the ir o wn minds

fo r t he de ligh t an d instructi o n o f t he publ ic Th at is o f .
t he e ss e nc e o f p o e try B u t the y st art by l o o ki ng a he a d by

.
,
t rying t o p e ne tr ate into o the r min ds an d t e ll ing the m w h at ,
t he y witho ut kn o wi ng it thin k The i r disc o ve ri e s o u tsid e

, ,
.
the y c arry within At the ir l e isure the y t ake t he ir spo i l t o

.
pi e c e s re p air ad d e mbe ll ish r e c o nstru ct an d give fo rth

, , , , ,
t r an sfo r m e d .
Matthe w Ar n o ld an d R o b e rt B r o w nin g ar e pro mine nt

a m o ng t he G re at in Eng l ish ve rs e fo r b e g inning an d e n di ng
o n the ir o wn gr o u n d Like all the y we re r e a dy t o g athe r

.
sugge sti o ns fr o m e l s e whe re T he y v al ue d the m as m e re

.
m at e r i al fo r the ir pe rs o n al use an d e n l ighte nm e nt So far .
t he t w o ar e al i ke an d y e t n o n e c o ul d di ffe r m o re in t he
m anne r o f t he ir s e lf r e ve aling T he o n e is s o m e thing

-
.
be twe e n hi sto ri an an d ad vo c ate t he o the r an inspir e d ,
di arist T he o n e p assi o n ate l y n arr ate s an d c o mme nts

.
,
p assi o n ate l y ap o l o gize s ple a ds an d de fe nds T he o the r

, , .
re m e mbe rs c o mp are s fo r e s e e s s o li lo qui ze s an d is at o nce

, , , ,
wh o ll y p e rs o n al an d as abs o l u te l y i mpe rs o n al A c o mple te

, .
di agr am wo r k ing o f Bro wning s m in d might b e ’
of t he
drawn fro m hi s m any succ e ssive vo l um e s Po e ts in ge ne r al .
re g ard the ms e l ve s as ap o stl e s c o m missi o ne d t o go o u t an d

t e ac h Be ing distinctive l y a p o e t with a p o e t s i d io sy n
.
,
’
c r a sie s,
he did n o t r e fu s e t o le t his v o ic e b e he ard He .
wo u l d n o t h ave de n i e d th at he r ath e r p re fe rr e d i t as i t
s o un de d t o an audi e nc e B u t fo r t he p u rp o s e discipl e s had
.
t o b e at h o m e w ith him The y had t o l iste n as with

.
, ,
e nti re disp assi o n ate n e ss he c o nve r s e d with hims e lf al o ud

,
.
His p ri m a ry o bj e ct w as t o te ll hi ms e lf wh at fr o m d ay t o
d ay he th o ught If re ade rs in ge ne r al did n o t fo ll o w he
.
,
might re gr e t it o r n o t T he accid e nt di d n o t l e a d hi m t o
.
c hang e t he fo r m o f his m e m o r and a .
W ith this c o nc e pti o n anyb o dy w ho is sinc e re l y anx io us

t o pr o fit by him has t o b e gin His w ay w as t o b e fo r e ve r
.
ch asing o ve rt aking c atchi ng at t he sh ad o w o f an i de a

, , ,
flitting aro un d o utsi de it might b e by ch o ic e within , , .
H aving gr asp e d it he wo ul d o r d e r f re que nt l y t o rt ure it

, , ,
t o de c l ar e its subst anc e Whe n t he thing un accust o m e d

.
,
t o b e thus ru d e l y c ate chiz e d st o o d mut e he s e t t o w o r k , ,
i mag ining all p o ssibl e be ings it mi gh t b e On e by o n e he .
he l d the m up b e f o r e it t o se e whe th e r the y re c o gniz e d

,
k insm anship Ofte n he w as l e ft c l aspin g sti ll an in v e t e r

.
at e l y u nsubst anti a l sh a d o w H e had t o c l o th e it with

.
fle sh an d b l o o d f ro m his o wn l arge w arm b re athing ve r y , , ,
hum an s o u l .
F o r t he pub l ic w h e n at a l o ng l ast it c a m e t o b e inquisi

,
t ive ab o ut him fo r stud e nts an d discip le s fro m t he first

,
an d a lw ays th at w as t he su m o f t he w h o l e
, T he ve ry .
dive rs e c l ass e s o f his u lt im ate re ad e rs we re c o nte nt if at ,
tim e s be wi l d e re d th at it sh o u ld b e so The y wan de re d

, .
in t he g ard e ns o f hi s sp aci o u s n ature sur ve ying it thro ugh ,
wh at we re b ars fo r m o st o f th e m afte r t he m anne r o f ,

s ake o f a rhym e o r rhythm T he y h ave b e e n s ai d t o b e
.
c ap ab l e o f l e tting a rhym e intr o duc e a th o u gh t B r o wning .
wo ul d h ave sc o rne d t o give up t he l e ast p artic l e o f an id e a

at t he d e m and o f di cti o n H e n e ve r sc ru p l e d t o m anu
.
f acture te r ms an d phras e s as c l o t he s fo r an id e a R athe r .
t h an suffe r rhyme t o l e a d th o ught he c o ine d rhym e s al s o , .
H e m ay s e e m t o b e pr o l ix Ag ain i t is tho ught w hich is

.
,
t o b l ame ; s o m e i de a wi ll h ave had t o dis e nt ang l e its e l f

p ainfu ll y fr o m e ncumb e ring m atte r o r it is gr o wing an d ,
ne e ds a d di tio n al rai m e nt in t he s hape o f sp e e ch Its p are nt .
ne ve r d re a mt o f re fusin g so n atu ral n e c e ss ary e ve n , ,
l au d abl e an d d e c e nt a de m and ,
.
T he Ring an d t he B o o k r e p o rts in fo ur v o l um e s a c ri min al

tri al Th at is t he p o e m s o u tw ard gui se T he re al ity is
.
’
.
a mic r o sc o pic an a l ysis o f t he l ife be ats o f a gr o up o f h e arts

-
.
Me asur e its right t o t he sp ac e n o t by t he c rim e n o t by t he ,
he ar t s b u t by t he pu l s ati o ns o f t he re p o rt e r s b rain an d
,
’
t he r e is n o t a p age t o o m any Vo l umino u s if n o t d iffu s e

.
, ,
r u gge d a n d h arsh n o t c are fu l t o re nd e r t he id e as he

,
s pre m e l y p riz d nt lligibl much l e ss p al at abl e — t o t he

u e i e e —
,
o r di n ar y Eng l ishm an he st ands in t he m a ss o f hi s w o r k

, , ,
al t o g e t he r ap art b o t h fr o m his c o nt e mp o r ari e s an d hi s
p re d e c e ss o rs With all the ir vari anc e s an d c o ntr arie ti e s

.
,
t he s e ve r al sc ho o l s o f p o e t r y m ay b e s aid at l e ast t o h ave

a gre e d as a ru l e up o n a m e a sur e o f c o mp l im e nt ary re sp e ct
fo r t he un de rst an di ng o f the i r p u b l ic Fo re m o st a m o ng .
t he fe w di ssid e nts st ands t he au th o r o f S o r d e ll o Cal ib an ,
u p o n Se t e b o s Princ e H o he n st ie l Schwang au R e d Co tto n

,
-
,
N ight c ap C o un t r y F ifin e at t he F ai r The I n n Al bum

-
, , ,
J o c o se r i a P ar le y i n gs with Ce rt ain Pe o p l e La Saisi az t he

, , ,
t w o Po e ts o f Cr o isic an d As o l and o
,
N o c harg e c an b e .
l o dge d against hi m o f havi ng p an de re d t o t he p o pul ar

t aste o r i gno rance
, .
RO B ERT B RO W N I N G 315
T he c o mpl ac e ncy with whic h he l au nc he d up o n l ite r at ur e

t hi s rapid succ e ssi o n o f c o nun drums e nr age d t he c o nte mp o
r ari e s o f t w o thi rds o f his c are e r H e ne ve r appe are d t o
-
.
b e aw ar e o f t he s ho c k s he w as a d mi n ist e ring Hi s g e n e r al .
unc o uthn e ss s e e m e d t he m o re aud aci o us in t he f ace o f

a s t o r e o f m o st tun e f u l o cc a si o n a l p o e ms with w hich he
inte rsp e rs e d his h abitu al e xp e rim e nts up o n t he e nduranc e

o f r e a d e rs . At wi ll he sh o w e d that w he n he ch o s e n o ne , ,
c o u l d b e m o re m e l o di o us th an he B y t urns he w as ge ntl e.
an d fie ry able t o uns e al t he fo u nt ain o f l au ghte r an d

,
t he f o unt ain o f t e ars H e w as m aj e stic te rrib l e simp le

.
, , ,
—
te nd e r e ve n t i mp o stur if hungry c o nte nt wi th a
o e —
, ,
pro fo und tho ught be ne ath t o b e j u st gr ace fu l With t he

, .
s e ns e up o n us o f t he wo r k s by whi ch app are nt l y he m e an t

his n am e t o l ive w e ask n o t s o much w hy us u all y he
, ,
c l ashe s t he harp stri ngs as w hy t he psych o l o gist t he m e t a

-
, ,
physici an has sud de nl y str aye d int o abs o lu te singing W as .
he m o ve d by c o mp assi o n fo r t he b e wi l d e re d an d d az e d
cri t ic 2 W as he hims e lf we ary o f un tune fu l ne ss
‘
M ay
it n o t h ave b e e n th at t he m u sic always un de rl ay t he
phi l o s o phy th at t he phi l o s o phy w as always re ady in
, ,
—
f avo uring circumst an c e s t o bre ak int o s o ng th at l ife s ’
,
sc o wl o f c l o ud hi d e s b e hind it
sple ndi d a st ar 2 ,
‘
2
I h ave be e n g l ancin g thr o ugh t he lyri cs sc atte re d o ve r

m any vo lu m e s I t wo ul d b e h ard t o s ay wh e re e l s e c an b e
.
f o und a m o re abs o l ute c o m bin ati o n o f th o ught s e ntim e nt ,
rhyth m — o r whe re m o re vari e ty .
In The Lo st Le ade r I re ad re pr o ach a m aze m e nt r e vo lt , , ,
a dmi r a t i o n h o p e th at he t he r e ne gade in fighting t he

, , ,
fo llo we rs he has de se rte d will ke e p all t he p ro we ss w hich

,
had w o n the ir wo rshi p — th at he wi ll re pe n t in de ath— b e

the ir s o nc e m r e in He ave n fo r the y l o ve hi m
o —
n v r c m b ac k t o
Le t him e e o e us
The r wo ld b d bt h si t ti n d p ai
e u e ou , e a o , an n ,
F r c d p rai e
o e p rt — t h g limm r f twilight
s o n o ur a e e o ,
N v r g l ad c fi d nt m r i g ag ain
e e on e o n n
B st fight w ll
e f onw ta g t h hi m —
e strik g alla tly
, or e u e n ,
M nac e h rt
e our w m t r hi eaw ere e as e s o n
Th n l t him r c iv t h w kn wl e d g a d wai t
e e e e e e ne o e n u s,
Pard o d i h v t h fir t by t h thro n
ne n ea en , e s e e
3
'
Bi t te r hu m o ur in T he S o l i l o qu y o f a Sp anish Cl o iste r b l as t s
hyp o crisy hiding u nd e r a c o wl T he s o l i l o quy is a m icr o .
co s m . It is an e n t i r e p l ay w hich s u ms up t he p assi o ns o f ,
u n i ve rs a l hum anity r a ving in a pe tty m o n aste ry insid e

, ,
a p e tti e r br e ast T he j o y o f s e tting a tr ap t o c atch s ain tl y

.
Bro the r L awr e nc e

T h r a g r t t xt i G al at ians
e e
’
s ea e n
Onc y tri p i t ntails e ou on , e
Tw nty nin distinct d amnatio ns

e - e ,
O su r if ano th r f ails
ne e e
I f I t ri p him j s t a dyi g u -
n ,
S r f he av e n as su r a b e
u e o e c n ,
Spin him r o d a d s nd him flying un , n e
Off t o h ll a Mani c h e , ee
4
In ano th e r spirit we ari ne ss o f t he yo ke o f l ibe rty be c o m e s

,
a hymn t o a Gu a r di an Ang e l t o be n d me lo w l i ke
G u e r c in o s pictur e d chi ld at F an o
’
a d lay lik hi m y hands to g t h r

n , e s, e e ,
And lift th m p t p ray a d g ently te th r

e u o , n e
M as T hy l am b t h r wi th t hy g arm e nt s sp r ad
’ 5
e, e e, e .
Or d e fi anc e is hur l e d at D e ath

F e ar d ath I t o f e l t he fo g in m y t hro at
—e
‘
e ,
T h mis t i m y f ac e n e,
Whe n t h sno ws b gin a d t h bl asts d no t

e e , n e e e
I m n ring t h p l ac ea ea e ,
T he p o w r o f t h nig ht t h p re ss o f t he s to rm
e e ,
e ,
T he p o st o f t he fo e
W h re h t d t h Ar ch F ar i a visibl e f o rm
e e s an s, e e n ,
Y e t t h s t r o g m a m st g e n n u o :
fl
A husb an d s g l ad ch o ic e — whe n bi d fix his o wn re ward
’
fo r t he re sc u e o f Fr anc e s s o l e sur vi ving e e t— o f o n e d ay s

’ ’
c o mp any o f his wife as suffici e nt gue rd o n

A b e am o f f o tb r k un u o e
O t h b ard e d m o t h t hat s p o k
n e e u e,
As t he ho st h art l a gh d thr gh
ne e u e ou
Tho s f ran k y s f Bre to n b l

e e e o ue
S inc I n ds m st ay m y y
e ee u s sa ,
Si c
n b rd t h d ty d n
e on oa e u
’
s o e,
An d f ro m Mal R ds t C r isi c P i t wh t i i t b t
o oa o o o n , a s u a r un
S inc t i a k d hav I m ay
e
’
s s an e ,
S i c t he th rs g asho r
n e o e o e
C m A g o o d wh l e h liday
o e o o
L av t g
e ed m y wif wh m I c ll t h B ll A ro r
o o , an se e e, o a e e e u e
That h ask d a d that h g t — n thing mo re

e e , n e o , o .
8
A Parting ,
w i t h s e as to divi d e — an d, p e rh aps ,
fo r e ve r
R o u nd t he c ap e s dd n c m t h se a of a u e a e e ,
An d un l o k d v r t h m nt i im
’
th e s o e o e e ou a n s r
An d str i ght wa a p ath f g ld fo hi m

a s o o r ,
An d t h n d o f a wo rld o f m e fo m
e ee n r e .
9
A pro te st in t he pre s e nce o f d e ath ag ainst a m e asur e

, ,
m e nt o f t he right t o l o ve by Ti m e s j e alo us mi le st o ne s ’
I l v dy
o ve lyn all t he while
e ou, E ,
M y h art se e m e d f u ll as i t c o ul d ho ld
e ;
The re w as pl ac e a d t o spare fo t he f ran k y o u g smile n r n ,
An d t he r e d y o u ng m o u th a d t h hair s y o u g g o ld
’
, n e n .
So h ,sh — I will giv e y o u this l e af t o k e p

u , e
S e e I shu t i t i sid t h sw t c o ld ha d
, n e e ee n
Th re that is o u se c r t — go t o sle e p
e , r e
Y o u will w ak e an d re m e m b e r a d u nd e rs t and , , n .
10
And l ast l y a l o ve l y
, ,
Fire si de —
ps alm o f m ar ri age B y t he
— w he r e p assi o n an d t e nd e rn e ss b l e nd int o o n e an d tr ans
,
mute t he still aching ago ny o f unce rt ainty in t he wo o ing

RO B ERT B RO W N I N G 3 19
littl m r
Oh, t he d h w m c h it i e o e , an o u s
A d t h l itt l l ss a d w hat wo rlds w y

n e e e , n a a
H w a s o nd s h ll q ui c k n c o t nt t b liss
o u a e n e o ,
O b r ath s sp nd t h b l o d s b st p l y
r a e u e e o
’
e a ,
A d l if b p r f f this
n
—
e 1 e a oo o
1
h appy p rid e
T t hi n k h w li tt l e I dr am e d i t l d
o o e e
T o a ag b le t that by it id n e so s , s s e,
Y o th ms t h w t inst d u se e e as e ea .
12
Eve ry l yric e ve ry idyll has its pro b le m t ho u gh m e rge d

, , ,
in an und e rcurre nt o f m e l o d y so be witching th at n o ne ar e

o b lig e d t o e xp l o re b e l o w Abt Vo g le r o f music al re no wn .
, ,
d e fie s p o e t an d p ainte r o n l y hu m an wo r ke rs n o b le as ar e , ,
the ir arts t o rival hi s w he re

, ,
i t h fing r o f G o d a fl a h f t h will t h t a
s e e ,
s o e a c n ,
E xist nt b e hi d ll l w t h t m ad t h m
e n a d 1 th y a
a s, a e e an , 0, e re
A d I kno w o t if s av i t his s c h g ift b all w d t o m

n n , e n , u e o e an ,
Th t t f thr s ds h f ram o t a f o rth s und b t a st r

a ou o ee o un e e, n u o , u a .
C sid r it w ll ac h to o f
on e e : sc al i i ts lf i n ght
e ne o ur e n e s ou
It i v r yw r
s e h e i t h w rld lo d s ft a d all i said
— e e n e o u , o , n s
G iv it t o m t
e I mix i t wi th t w i m y t ho g ht
e o u se o n u
An d t he re ! Y e hav h ard
,
d s c nsid r a d b w t h h ad
e e an een : o e n o e e
An d at t he he ight o f his e xul t ati o n

I t i go t h pa l a c f m si c I r ar d
s ne, e e o u e e
W ll it i arth wi th m sil c r s m s h r ig
e ,
s e e en e e u e er e n
I will b p ti nt ed pr d a d s b rl y cq i s c
e an ou ,
an o e a u e e .
Giv m t h k ys I f l f t h c o mm n c ho rd g in
e e e e . ee or e o a a ,
S lidi g by s mi t ne s till I sink t t h min r — y

n e o , o e o , e s,
A d I b l un t it i t a i nth
n d I s t and o
n o li gr d n ,
an n a en oun ,
S rv yi g awhil t h h ights I r ll d f r m into t h d p

u e n e e e o e o e ee
W hi ch h rk I have d r d a d do n f my r sting pl c i f nd
, a , a e n e, or e a e s ou ,
T h C Maj r f thi l if
e o o w I will t ry t
o sl p
s e : so , n o ee .
13
T o t he g l o ry o f his l ife t he Musici an s e e s an e n d ;

whi l e d e at h th re e c e ntur ie s e arl i e r l e ads t he triumph o f
, ,
t he Gr a m m ari an I k no w fe w p o e ms in whic h t he r e ad e r
.
3 20 FIVE CE N T URIES OF E N G LI S H VERSE
c an b e m o rep re s e nt with t he p o e t in t he acce ss o f inspi r a

ti o n W e fe e l hi s succ e ssive thr i ll s o f jo y as he c l imbs s t e p
.
,
by ste p with t he ad o ring sch o l ars u p t hr o ugh t he d ust o f

burie d l e arni ng int o t he pur e e the r o f r e b o rn He lle ni s m
L e t s b g in a d c rry u p t his c r p
u e n a o se ,
S inging t o g th r e e .
Le av w t h nl tt re d pl ain it h rd a d c r p
e e e u e e s e n o
S k w s p l t re ee e e u u
O a t all m o nt ai
n c iti d t t he t o p
u n , e o ,
C r wd d wi th c l tur o e u e
All t h p k s o ar b t o n t h re st xc ls
e ea s , u e e e e
Cl ds v r c o m it ou o e e
N o,y nd r sp rkl i t h c it ad l s
o e a e s e e
’
Cir c ling it s mmit s u .
T hi ther p th li o ur w ind w p t h he ights

a es e u e
W i t y t h war ing 7 a e e n
Ou l w l if w t h l v e l s a d t he ni g ht s
’ ’
r o e as e e n
H t h m rning
’
f e s or e o .
Ste p t o a t n s q ar c h st re ct e ac h h ad
u e, u e e s, e e ,
War t h b h lde rs
’
e e e o
T his i o m st r f am o s c lm a d d e ad
s ur a e , u a n ,
B o rne o u h ld rs n o r s ou e .
H e was a ma b rn wi th t hy f ac e a d thro at
n o n ,
Lyri c Ap o llo
L ng he liv d nam l ss h w sh ld spring tak no t
o e e e : o ou e e
W inte r w l d f ll w ou o o
Till lo t h l ittl t o ch a d y o th w as g o n
,
e e u , n u e
C ram p d a d di mi nish d e n e ,
M ane d h N w m as r s th r f e t an n
o e, e e u e , o e e o ,
My danc i finish d 2 e s e
‘
N o that s t h w rld s way (k p t h m ntain id

,
’
e o
’
ee e ou -
s e,
M k f t he city a e or
H kne w t h s i gn al a d st pp d n wi t h p rid
e e , n e e o e
Ov r m n s pity e e
’
L ft pl y f w rk a d g rappl d wi th t he w o rld
e a or o , n e
B nt e sc ping e on a
W hat s i t h s c ro ll qu th he tho u k e e pe st fu rle d

’
n e ,
’
o ,
S ho w m th ir shaping e e ,
d si gns m s t cl o s i l ik e ff ct s
Lo fty e u e n e e
L ftily lying o ,
L av him— still lo fti r than t h wo rld su sp cts

e e e e e ,
Li ving a d dy ing
0
14
n .
Wh o l e l ibr ari e s o f t he r e sul ts o f G e rm an re s e arch

p ati e nt as t he Gra m m ari an s o w n — c o u l d n o t re fle ct t he ’
e cst a sy o f t he R e n aiss anc e t he m agic o f Go l d e n Age s , ,
Pe ric l e an Augu st an c o m e b ac k t o an a m az e d ro ugh he w n

, , ,
-
G o t hic wo r ld— c o ul d n o t re pre s e nt t hat wo rl d s de bt t o t he ’
e a r l y m ar t r s o f l e a rning
y t he S c ali ge r s Ca s au b o ns w h o , , ,
i m m o l ate d l yric yo u th g o wn e d m anho o d b al d hydr o ptic , , ,
o ld age d e a d fr o m t he waist do wn b attl ing with t he

, ,
e xpiring r att l e o ve r a d u e s e tt l e m e nt o f t he e nc l i t ic de
a t e nth p art a s inte ll igib l y as t he hun dr e d an d fif ty tr u mp e t
ing l in e s o f this fune ral c hant

An i de a is always s o m e whe r e in e ve ryt hing B r o wn ing
, ,
wr o te T he vari e ty o f fran kne ss o r t he r e ve rs e with

.
, ,
which it r e ve al s o r diss e mbl e s its e lf is inc al c u l abl e S o m e

, ,
.
t im e s as in a Lo st Le a d e r Abt Vo g le r a Gr a m m ari an s
, , ,
’
Fu ne r al he m o r e o r l e ss full y u nf o l ds it Fre que nt l y t he

, , ,
.
e xp l an ati o n is at h and a l itt l e be l o w t he s u rf ac e ; just,
b e l o w as t he accum u l ati o n t o Martin R e lp h s re m o rs e fo r

,
’
his d ast a rd l y tr e ach e ry th a t t he s e cr e t o f his crim e — w ith

,
its pric e is s afe a t o rtu ring He ll in his o w n b o s o m

—
,
Y ou w r t ak n ab ack po r b y th y rg
e e e o t im
, t o r g aino o ,
’
e u e, n e e
y r wi t s
ou
B id s i t had m ayb c s t y l if
es e Ay t h r i t h
e o ap that ou e .
’
, e e s e c
15
fits ;
j u st b e l o w as t he c o mf o rt t o Hos e yn fo r t he l o ss o f his
,
in v incible m are Mu lé y k e h th at he al o ne h o lds t he c l u e

, ,
t o he r l as t vict o r y ; th at n o n e b u t hims e l f und e rst ands

ho w pri de in he r pe e r l e ssn e ss c o u l d l e ave he r t he r o bbe r s ’
r athe r t han ke e p he r sh a m e d
And t h y j r d him
e ee e a d ll P r Hos y i c r z d p s t h p
one n a oo e n s a e a o e
H w ls h d h w g ht hims lf hi r i i f rt n s spi t 2 ’ ‘
o e e a e ro u e s u n , n o u e e
T h v sim p l y h ld t h t ng
o a e w r a t sk fo a b o y girl
e e o ue e e a r or ,
An d h r w r M léy k h ag ain t h
e e e e y d lik a an t lo pe
u e ,
e e e e n e ,
T h c hild f hi h r t by d ay t h wi f
e o s f hi b r as t by ni g ht
ea ,
e e o s e
A d t h b te n i s p d
n e ea w pt H os y n Y n v r hav l v d
ee e e n ou e e e o e
m y P rl ea .
’ 1“
Equ ally o fte n w e ar e l e ft t o gr o p e ab o u t fo r an ans we r as ,
in Cl ive 17
W e c an b u t i m agine p o ssibi l itie s w ith a s e l f
.
t o rm e nting te mp e ra m e nt l i ke his He r e he w as aft e r ,

.
,
thi r t y ye ars o f g l o ry br o o ding sti ll with a shu dd e r o n ,
dis gr ace which mi ght h ave b u t had n o t be f alle n hi m in , ,
o bsc u r e b o yho o d Such a n atu re wo u l d find t he p ro spe ct ‘

.
o f o b l ivi o n l e ss int o l e r ab l e t han an o ld age o f e a s e an d
a thr o ng o f t hat a n d o t he r a s r an kl ing m e m o ri e s I be l i e ve .
that t he g allo p fr o m Ghe n t t o Ai x n e ve r had an y sp e cific

hist o ric al fo u nd ati o n t hat it is a p ar abl e o f t he e ss e n t i al
gr an de ur o f hu m an e ffo rt hum an s a crific e with o ut re g ar d , ,
t o t he o bj e ct ; o f t he tr u t h t hat u nsp aring e n d ur anc e is

n e ve r w aste d tho u gh the re b e n o g o o d n e ws n o ne ws at
, , ,
all t o b e g o o d o r b ad .
Whe t he r B r o wning ind u l ge d o r b aulke d t he c ur i o sity o f

his a d mire rs o ve r a puzz l e had n o thi ng t o d o wi t h the i r
c o nve ni e nce It d e p e nd e d who ll y upo n his o wn A c o m
. .
e n s at io n is th a t he r e g a rd e d th e m s o l it tl e a s t o h a ve n o
p
s hyn e ss in t hinki ng in publ ic H e wo u l d h ave mind e d as .
l i ttle had he kn o wn th at t aking t he s a m e l ibe r t y wi t h his ,
wo r k t he y pre s u m e d t o c o mp le te an u nfinishe d pictu r e ;

,
t o i m agine fo r e x a mp l e t he Pi e d Pip e r k indly t o t he

, , ,
c hi l dre n as he had b e e n ve nge fu l t o t he ir sh arp d e al ing -
e l d e rs p l aying e te rn al w o nd e rf u l m u sic t o t he tr o o p in
, ,
g ard e ns o f F airyl and

W h r w t rs g sh d a d f r i t tr s g r w
e e a e u e n u -
ee e ,
A d fl w rs p t f r th
n fair r h o e u o a e ue ,
A d v rythi g w n str g d w e e n as an e an ne .
X 2
It is t he s a m e thr o ugh o u t B r o wning w hi l e he might
.
,
b e s u pp o s e d t o inte nd n o thing but a s o ng w as thin k ing , ,
an d o ft e n p r o f o u nd l y In r e turn w h e n m e dit ating he

.
, ,
sti ll s ang It w o u l d b e i dle fo r m e t o ass e rt th at in his

.
wo r k o u tsid e his idyll s an d l yrics m e l o dy is t he prim ary

, ,
a ttr ib u t e w hich a r e a d e r o bs e rve s N e ith e r is it s e nti m e n t

. .
T he e ar d o e s n o t in S o r d e ll o in P ar ac e l sus give by
, , ,
d rin king in t he m u sic t he sign al fo r t he h e art t o g l o w

-
,
.
B ut wh ate ve r he wr o te w as p o e try N o ne c o u l d e ve r .
mist ake a d o z e n l ine s o f his fo r pr o s e I w o u l d e ve n go .
s o far a s t o s ay if a c o mp a ris o n had t o b e a tt e mpt e d th at

, ,
whe n he is n o t m aking e xpe rim e nts in m e tr e o r o n t he fo r ,
b e ar anc e o f his a d mire rs hi s ve rs e fo r inst ance in Christm as

, , ,
E v e an d E aste r D ay La Sai siaz o r P ar le y i n gs c o u l d b e

, , ,
s ho wn t o b e m o r e abs o lu te l y distingu ish ab l e r hythmic all y

fr o m pr o s e th an In a Ye ar o r H o m e T ho u ghts fr o m Abr o a d
, ,
an d F r o m t he Se a H o w v a ri o u s t he b l an k ve rs e is an d
.
,
ho w str o ng H o w it s e e ms t o h ave spr u ng rip e an d fu ll , ,
fr o m t he b rain o f p o we r ! T he th o u ght st ands o u t fr o m

it as t he m u sc l e s in a st atu e by Miche l Ange l o Int o .
a s e nt e nc e it c an c o nd e ns e m o r e t han c o u l d b e e xpr e ss e d
in a p age o f pr o s e It c an t ak e a s e nte nce o f pr o s e an d

.
,
dr aw fr o m it a h u nd re dfo l d t he m e aning .
Singul ar m e rits ; an d as singul ar d e fe cts ; t he d e fe cts

o f t he wr it e r s qu al iti e s an d w it h gr e atn e ss in b o th T he
’
.
s e lf c o m m un ing in p artic u l ar which l i e s at t he b asis o f

-
,
all hi s w o r k ha s its d r aw b a c k s
,
H e wo u l d h ave re j o ic e d
.
e sp e ci all y t o s hin e a s a d r a m atist T he re t he h abit o f .
di al o gu e u n ce asm g might h ave be e n e xp e cte d t o b e p e cu

liar ly v alu ab l e an d t he re o n t he c o ntr ar y it m ars t he
, ,
e ffe ct o f his m o st pr o mising e nte r pris e s It re n de rs the m .
fu ll o f inte re st as p o e ms it pu she s f at ally int o t he b ac k

gro u nd t he acti o n w hich is e ss e nti al t o a pl ay s s u cce ss ’
.
l r k l i ke s o ngs— n o t t he l e ss h appy fo r he r r ags— b y t he
a -
vi ll a which h ar b o u rs squ al id a d u l te ry an d murd e r w i t h ,
r e m o rs e as squ al id !
N o whe re i n t he s o ci e ty o f hi s ve rs e is th e r e r o o m fo r
te di u m W e fe e l hi s m e dit ati o ns t o b e b e tte r c o mp any
.
‘
t han t alk On e w h o s e fri e nds hip I h ave priz e d fo r m o r e

.
t han f o rty ye ars as I h o p e an d be l ie ve he has mine l o ng , ,
sinc e o bs e rve d t o m e t h at r e ading B r o wn ing is l i ke dr am

drink ing It e ns l ave s an d I am wi ll ing t o be l i e ve that
it m ight sc arc e l y b e fo r t he g o o d e ithe r o f p o e ts o r o f the ir
r e a d e rs th at m any s o urc e s o f simi l ar int o xic ants s ho u l d b e
se t r u nning W he the r f o rtu n at e l y o r n o t h o we ve r t he
.
, ,
d ange r o f te mp t ati o n at an y rate is r e m o t e Such a p o e t .
s o u l as B r o wning s is re are d n o t o f t e n o r e asi l y W e m ay’ '
we ll appl y t o hims e l f his o wn a cc o unt o f a p o e t s birth ’
R o ck s ng s il rath r su rfac hard a d b are

’
s t he o -
o e ,
e n
S d d w th ir mild ss s t rm
u n an d f r s t th ir r ag e
e e ne , o an o e
Vainl y b th xp nd — f w fl w rs wak n th r
o e e , e o e a e e e
Q i t i t c l ft b ro ds what t h ft r ag
i u e — n s e o e a e -
e
Kn ws a d nam s a p i a natio n s h r itag

o n e ne,
’
e e
?0
T he P t ic loe Br w i g Si v l S m ith E ld r
a W o rk s o f R o be rt o n n . x o s .
, e
C o 1 868 — B l
.
,
ti Ad v t r 1 8 7 1 P r i c H h t i l
a au s on s
’
en u e, . n e o en s e
Sc hw g 1 87 1 F ifi
an t th
au , F ir 1 872 R d C tt N ight p
. ne a e a , . e o on -c a
C try 1 87 3 T h I Al b m 1 87 5 Ari t ph
o un , . Ap l gy 1 875
e nn u , . s o an e s
’
o o ,
.
P acc hi tt &
ar o 1 876 T h Ag m m
o, f A c hyl
c .
,
1 87 7 L . e a e non o es u s, . a
S i i
a s az ,1 87 8 T h Tw P t f Cr i i c 1 8 7 8
. D r m t i c I d y l 1 87 9
e o oe s o o s , . a a s, .
Dr m tic I d yl S c d S i 1 880 J
a a s, i 1 883 F i ht h
e on e r e s, . o c o s e r a, . er s a
’
s
F c i 1 884 P l y ing with C rt i P pl 1 887 A l d 1 890

an e s, . ar e s e a n eo e, . s o an o, .
P l y i g wit h C rt i
1
ar e P pl iii W ith Chri t ph r S m rt pp
n s e a n eo e, , s o e a ,
.
7 9 —9 5 .
7
T he T w o C r i ic P r l d P t oe s of o s , e u e .
3
T h L t L d r (Dr m t ic L yric ) P t W rk
e os ea e a a s , oe . o s .
5
S l il q y f t h Sp i h Cl i t r i bid t 7
o o u o e an s o s e , , s . .
5
Th G rd i A g ls
e ua Pict r t F i b id
an n e a u e a an o , .
5
P p ic P t W k
ros e , oe . or s .
7
Fl w
T he N m t z 3 d 5 (G d F ci Dr matic
o er s
’
a e, s an as an ar en an e s, a
Lyric ) P t W rk
s , oe . o s .
H
5
é Ri l (P
erv hi tt t 10e ac c ar o o, s . .
P rti g t M r i g (Dr m tic Ly ic ) P t W rk

9
a n a o n n a a r s , oe . o s .
E v ly H p
1 °
e t 7 (Dr m ti c Ly ic ) i bid
n o e, s . a a r s , .
By t h Fir id t 3 9 (Dr m tic Lyric ) i bid

e es e, s . a a s , .
I b id
77
t 2 5 (Dr m t ic Lyric ) i b id
.
, s . a a s , .
Ab t V gl r (Af t r h h b pl yi g p t h I trum t f hi
13
o e e e as e en a n u on e ns en o s
I v ti
n en ) t z 7 8 on d 1 2 (Dr m t i P r
, s an ) P t W rk
as , , an a a s e so n ae , oe . o s .
A Gr mm ri n F r l S h rtly ft r t h R viv l f L r i g
14
a a a
’
s un e a , o a e e e a o ea n n
m E r p (Dr m ti c R m c ) P t W rk
u o e a a o an es , oe . o s .
M rti R lph (Dr m tic I d yl

15
a n e a a s,
M léy k h (Dr m tic I d yl S c d S ri

15
u e a a s, e on e e s,
Oli v e
T h P i d Pip r
19
e f H m li t 1 3 (Dram tic R ma c e ) P t
e e o a e n, s . a o n s , oe .
W rko s .
D G t ib
1 5
e t 2 (Dram atic Lyric ) P t W rk s
us u s, s . s , oe . o .
Dr m tic I d yl S c d S ri E pil g
7 5
a a s, e on e e s, o ue .
A L FR E D T E N N Y S O N
1 809 — 1 89 2
TH E p o e ts— n o t o n l y t he gre at but all t he tru e — ho w

,
e a ch st ands a l o n e Se arch t he wh o le Cal e nd ar o f Inspir a

ti o n n o p air wi ll b e fo un d fo r him with w ho m t he re giste r
fo r t he nin e t e e nt h c e nt u ry c l o s e s ; n o re al fe ll o w fo r
Al fre d T e nnys o n ! T he c har act e r o f his ge ni u s w as so
u ne xp e cte d t hat t he ge n e r a l pub l ic t o o k l o ng t o appr e ci at e
it T he d e l ay w as a t ribu te t o its o rigin al ity T o a fe w

. .
e l e ct i t w as c e rt ain an d h e a ve n l y I e nvy the ir j o yo us an d

.
surp ris e d r e c o gniti o n Mighty W o rds wo r t h in t he o pini o n

.
,
o f a y o un g e r g e n e r ati o n ha d d e c l in e d t o p r o sing h o we ve r
, ,
wis e l y He lle nic Land o r ra ve d R o ge rs w as ante di lu vi an

. .
an d p o o r Le igh Hunt had n e ve r c o u n t e d T he gi ants o f t he

.
p ast we re b u ri e d in the ir p ast whe n a c hant as e xquisite

,
as th e irs ,
an d a t l e ast a s n e w an d str ange r o s e int o t he
,
d e ad air T o a b ri ll i ant yo u thf u l br o the rh o o d it m u st

.
,
have be e n a s w he n Chr ist a be l o r C hi l d e H a r o l d s o ar e d

a b o ve t he st agn ant mists h a lf a c e ntury e ar l i e r .
T he initi a te d we r e e nr aptu r e d w ith a ll T he pr e s e nt

.
ge n e r ati o n discri min ate s T o a c e rt ain e x t e nt it has l o st

.
t o u ch with m u ch o f t he p hi l o s o phy o f T he T w o Vo i ce s ,
T he Pa l ac e o f Art T he Visi o n o f Sin It has o u tgro wn t he
fl
.
,
g l adn e ss t he s we e t l impid s o rr o w o f t he May Qu e e n an d

, ,
its s e qu e l s t he E ar l y Vict o ri an e l e g anc e o f t he Mi ll e r s

,
’
an d G ard e n e r s D aught e rs e v e n L o c ks l e y H all t he First

’
w ith its p l ay o f p an o r a mic he art u t t e r in gs Tho ugh -

.
sc a rc e l y o n e disc ard e d favo uri te but has l ine s wo rd t o ,

s
,
fl
And t h wav w o rn h rns f t h e ch ing b a k
e e- o o e o n ,
A d t h s il v e ry m rish
n e w s that thr ng a -
o er o
T h d s o l t c r ks a d p ls am o ng
e e a e ee n oo ,
W r fl d d v r wi th ddyi g s ng
e e oo e o e e n o .
T he l and o f t he L o to s e at e rs b as k s sti ll in abi d ing m e ll o w

-
aft e rn o o n suns hin e
H o w sw e t i t w e re he aring t he d o wnward s t re am
e , ,
Wi th half sh t e ye s e ve r t o s e m
-
u e
F alli g asle e p in a half dr am

n -
e
T dre am a d dr am lik e y o nd e r am b e r lig ht

o n e , ,
Whi ch will o t l e av t he myrrh b u sh o t he he ight

n e -
n
T o he ar e ac h o the r s w hi p e d s p e e ch
’ ’
s r
E at ing t h Lo t o s d ay by d ay
e ,
T o watc h t he c risping ri ppl e s o n t he b e ac h ,
An d te nd r c u rving lin s o f c re amy s p r ay

e e
T l e nd o u r he ar t s a d s piri t s who ll y
o n
T o t he infl u e nc e o f mild mind e d m e l anc ho ly -
T o m u se an d b ro o d a d liv ag ain i m e m o ry n e n ,
Wi th tho se o ld f ac s o f o u r i fancy e n
H e ap d o v e r wi th a m o nd o f g rass
’
u ,
T wo hand f u ls o f whi te d u s t shu t i a u r n o f b rass ,

n n
3
W e h a ve notc e as e d t o w and e r ar o u n d sp e ll b o un d t he -
s l e e ping p al ace — spe ll b o un d o urs e l ve s — an d its g ard e ns

-
Wh r r sts t h ap wi thin t h l f
e e e e s e ea ,
W h r st y s t he b l d al o ng t h v ins
e e a oo e e .
Fai t shad ws v ap o rs lig htly l d

n o , u cu r
’
F aint m rm rs f ro m t h m ad ws c m u u e e o o e
Lik hint s d cho s f t h w rld

e an e e o e o
T s p iri t s f ld d i t h w m b
o o e n e o
wa iting ti ll t he f airy princ e has kiss e d b ac k to l ife hi s

d e s t ine d b rid e
A d t h hills a d fa aw ay
’
n o er e ,
n r
B y nd th ir tm st p rp l im
e o e u o u e r ,
B yo nd t h n i ght ac r ss t h d y
e e ,
o e a ,
Thr ll t he wo rld h f ll w d him

o
’
a s e o o
’
.
4
ALFRED TE N N Y S ON 33 1
T he anci e nt wo o d has n o t l o st fo r u s its c o mp any o f sto ri e d

wo m e n
A d a ghte r f t h g ds divin ly t ll
u o e o , e a ,
A d m s t di vin l y f air n o e
fo r wh o s e be au ty m an y d re w s wo rds an d di e d
A Q e n wi th sw rthy c h ks a d b ld bl ack y s
u e a ee n o e e ,
Bro w b nd wi th b rning g ld
-
ou u o
w ho by M a r k An t o ny s sid e s at as go d by go d mur de red

’
Iphige ni a an d R o s a m o nd wh o m me n c all f air

,
t he ,
l ight o f anci e nt Fr ance an d he r w ho t o a cry o f indign ant ,
pi t y fo r t he vi ctim o f t he Gi l e adi t e s wi l d o ath ’
d answ r hi g h
’
d ren er e
N t o
o o nc al o n a th sand tim s
s ,
n r o e e ou e
I w o ld b b rn a d di
u e o n e .
My G d m y l and my f ath r— t h s d id m o v
o , , e e e e
M f r m m y b liss f li f th t N t r g v
e o o e, a a u e a e,
L w d s ftly wi t h a t hr f ld c rd f l v
’
o er o ee o o o o e
D o wn t a sil nt g rav o e e .
I t c mf r t s m i t his
o o th g ht t o dw ll e n one ou e ,
That I s b d d m t my f ath r s will u ue e o e

’
B c a s t h kiss h g v m
e u e I f ll
e e a e e , e re e ,
S w t ns t h spiri t still
ee e e .
M r v r it i wri tt n that m y r ac
o eo e s e e
H w d Amm hi p a d t hi g h f ro m Ar o r
’
e on ,
n , e
O Arn n ntil M i H r he f c ’
n o th u nne . e e r a e
G l w d a I l k d at h
o
’
, s oo e er .
S h l k d h li p s h l ft m w h r I st o o d
’
e oc er s e e e e e
Gl ry t G d h s ng a d p st f r
o o o ,
’
s e a ,
n a a a ,
T hriddi g t h s mb r b k ag f t h w d
n e o e os e o e oo ,
T w rds t h m rning star

o a e o .
L si g h c ar l I st o d p nsiv ly
o n er o o e e ,
As that f r m a c s m nt l ns hi h ad
one o a e e ea s e ,
W h n m id ight b lls c a ri g i g s dd ly
e n e e se n n u en ,
A d th
n ld y r i d d e o ea s ea .
5
T e nnys o n s im agin ati o n fo und its the m e s any w he r e an d
’
e v e ryw he r e . S o m e ti me s hist o ry supp l i e d the m as in ,
t he Dre a m o f F air W o m e n ; s o m e tim e s l e g e n d an d tr ad i

t i o n Sc e ne s incid e nts m e n an d wo m e n t o u che d by him
.
, , , ,
h ave b e c o m e his an d re al be c au s e his W e se e the m as he

,
.
s aw th e m an d al m o st f o rg e t th at th e y h a ve had o th e r an d
,
e a r l i e r o wn e rs T hr o u gh him an d fo r him t he L ad y o f
.
, ,
Shalo t t is an a ct u a l b e ing w ho wi s t fu ll y imp ati e n t fe a rfu l , , ,
o f s he kn o w s n o t w h a t ,
still i h w b d lights n er e e
T w av t h mirr r s m g i c sig ht s
’
o e e e o a ,
F ft n thr t he sil nt i ghts

or o e o
’
e n
A f n ral wi th pl m s d light s
u e ,
u e an
And m si c we nt t C ame l t u , o o .
5
It is in his vo ic e that pur e Sir G al ah ad te ll s ho w

S m tim e s o l n ly m ntain m r s
o e n o e ou -
e e
I fi d a m gi c b rk n a a
I l ap e b ard h lmsm a
on t rs o no e n s ee
I fl at t ill ll i d arko a s .
A g ntl e s nd a awf l lig ht

e ou , n u
Thr e ang ls b r t h H o l y G rail

e e ea e
With f ld d f t i s to l s f whi t
o e ee ,
n e o e,
O sl p i g wi g s t h y sail
n ee n n e .
Ah b l sse d visi n
, bl d f G d
e o oo o o
My spiri t b a t s h m o rt al b ars e er ,
As d wn d rk tide s t he gl ry slid s
“
o a o e ,
An d s t arl ik ming l s wi th t he s t rs e e a
7
In a kin dr e d e cst asy t he c l o iste r e d m ai de n o f his inspir e d

,
cr e ati o n ke e ps he r vi gi l be sid e e ve n Ke ats s o n St Agn e s ,

’
,
.
’
E ve . T he L a mb
lifts m t o t h g ld n d r
‘
e e o e oo s
T h fl ash s c m e a d g e e o n o
All h av n b rsts h starry fl rse e u er oo ,
A d s t ro ws h lights b l o w
n er e ,
A d d p s o a d p
n t h g at s
ee en n n u e e
R ll b ck a d f wi thin o a , n ar
d ifficu l t t o supp o s e th at e ve n he hims e l f c an h ave l ab o ur e d
up o n the m E ach pie ce s e e ms t o h ave flo ate d i mpul sive l y
.
f o rth in t he s hape it k e e ps fo r u s al th o ugh w e kn o w th at ,
in f act e ve ry o n e has be e n l ab o ri o u s l y fi le d an d burnishe d .
W he n a the m e is m anife st l y o f a n ature t o d e m and a

s e ve r e e xp e nditu r e o f th o ught y e t at his t o uch it s e e ms ,
un ab l e t o r e sist b u rsting sud de n l y int o m e l o dy an d simpl e

sw e e tn e ss Ag ainst t he c o uns e l s o f de sp air in T he T wo
.
Vo ic e s bursts t he pr o te st
T ho I sho ld d i I k o w
’
u e, n
That all ab o u t t he tho rn will b l o w

I t ft s o f r o sy t inte d sno w 11
’
n u -
a g ainst t he l u ri d p o mp of T he Pal ace of Art

An E nglish h m g r y twilight p o d o e — a ur
’
O d wy p t r s d wy t r s
n e as u e , e ee ,
S o ft r th n sl p— ll thi g s i o rd r st r d
e a ee a n n e o e ,
A h nt f a ci t P ac
au o n en e e
Or t he m aid mo th r by a C r cifix-
e u ,
I t r ct s f p st r s
n a y w rmo a u e un n -
a ,
B n th b r nc h w rk o f c stly s rd o nyx
e ea a -
o o a ,
S i ts smili g b ab i a m n , e n r .
12
Fr o m be yo nd t he s ard o nic h arshn e ss o f T he Visi o n

a divin e g l o ry be c o m e s visib l e
E v ry m r ing fa wi t hdrawn e o n , r
B y nd t h d arkn s a d t h c t r ct
e o e es n e a a a ,
G d m ad him lf
o wf l r s f d wn
e se an a u o e o a .
13
Of t e n t he r e is n o t e xt n o m o tive e xc e pt an irre pr e ssibl e

, ,
i mpu l s e t o sing
Br k b r k b r k
ea , ea , ea ,
O t hy c ld g r y t n s 0 S
n o a s o e ,
ea
A d I w ld th t m y t g
n c ld tt r
ou a on ue ou u e
T h t h g ht t h t ri
e i m ou s a a se n e.
ALFRED T E N N Y SON 335
w ll fo t h fi h ma b o y
0 e r e s er n s
’
,
That h sh ts wi th hi siste r t pl y
e ou s a a
0 w ll f t h s ail r lad
e or e o ,
That h sing s i hi b o at t he b ay
e n s on
A d t h s t ate l y shi p s go o
n e n
T t h ir hav n nd r t h hill
o e e u e e
t h to c h o f a a i h d hand
’
B t Of u or e u v n s ,
A d t h so n d f a v ic e that is still
e un o o
Bre ak b r ak b r k
, e , ea ,
A t t h f o o t o f t hy c rag s 0 S a
e ,
e
B t t he t nd r g rac
u f a d y that i s d ad
e e e o a e
Will n v r c o m e b ck t m e e a o e .
“
T e nnys o n had d o n e a l ife s wo r k by t he tim e he w as ’
t hi rty F o r an o the r h al f c e ntury he we nt o n writing

.
-
.
Sc arc e l y did he c e as e singin g be fo r e in e xtre m e age he

c e as e d t o bre athe H e e ve n c o ntinue d t o e xe rcis e as in
.
,
t he t w o N o rth e r n F arm e rs t he gif t o f hum o ur w hich he , ,
had e ar l y m anife st e d in t he gay Mo n o l o gu e o f t he C o c k ,
an d m o r e gr i m l y in St Si m e o n s t hi r sti l y m e e k a cc e pt anc e
’
.
, ,
o f b l asph e m o us id o l atry It is d ange r o us t o o pp o s e a critic

.
o f t he intuiti o n o f O l d Fitz w ho d e pre c ate d his c o ll e ge

fri e nd s pe rsiste nt p o e tic di li ge nce I m u s t h o w e ve r
’
.
, ,
dis agre e If t he l ate r s e ri o u s p o e ms miss t he d e lic ate

.
fr agr ance t he r e al o r app ar e nt sp o nt ane i t y t he au d aci t y

, , ,
o f t h e i r yo u thfu l pr e d e c e ss o rs t he w ant is n o s u ffici e nt ,
gr o un d fo r i mp ati e nce at t he c o ntinu anc e o n t he st age o f

t he d o e r o f gre at things in t he p ast H ad t he s u bs e qu e nt .
v o l um e s by t he cre at o r o f O e n o ne an d T he Dre a m be e n
fai l ur e s all I sh o u l d n o t mys e l f h ave ve ntu r e d t o qu arr e l
,
wi t h him fo r pur s ui ng his vo c ati o n an y m o r e t h an w i t h

a l a st s e a s o n s b l ac k bird fo r w a rb l ing a s s o o n a s he f e e l s
’
t he Sp ring in his thr o at B u t in t ruth l ite r a ture w o u l d

.
its e lf h ave s u ffe re d a gri e vo u s l o ss had Te nn ys o n re ste d o n

his g a the re d l au re l s F o r t he Plays a l o n e I s ay n o thing
. .
Dive rsi o ns I w ill h o pe t o t he wr ite r th e y had n o busine ss
, , ,
t o sur vive him Le t the m b e d e c e nt l y bur i e d n o t in hi s

.
—
gr ave ; tho ugh s o m e l ate vi o l e ts m ay b l o o m e ve n f ro m

the ir u nm o nu m e nt al m o unds .
E l s e w h e r e w e sho u l d h ave l o st we al th o f f ancy had he

b e e n frighte ne d l iving int o si l e nc e by t he shad o w o f his
, ,
o wn f a m e H e wo u l d n e ve r h ave sung in t he G ard e n at

.
S wainst o n
N i g hting l s warb l d wi tho t
a e e u ,
Wi thi n w as w pin g fo th ee r ee
S hado ws o f thre e d ad m e e n
W alk d i t h walks wi th m
’
n e e,
S had o ws o f thre d ad m a d tho wast o n e o f t he thre

e e en n u e.
N ight in gale s sang i hi w o ds n s o
T h Mas te r w as fa away
e r
N i g ht i g l s warb l d a d s ng
n a e e n a
Of p assio n t h t l as t s b u t a d ay
a a
’
Still i t he ho s i his c ffin t h Prin c

n u e n o e e of c o u rte sy lay .
Two d ad m h v I kn wn
e en a e o
I c o rt sy lik t o t h e
n u e e e
T w d ad m e h v I l v e d
o e n a e o
With a l o v that v r will b e e e e
T hr d ad m hav I l v d a
ee e en e o e nd tho u ar t last o f t h thr
e ee .
15
He w o ul d n o t have wr o ught that inc o mp ar ab l e c o nce it ,
T he P rinc e ss o r be e n te mpt e d t o in l ay it w ith undyi n g

,
ly r ics W e s ho u ld h ave b e e n o r p han e d o f t he music in

'
fl
.
O hark O h ar ho w t hi n a d c l r
, e n ea ,
And thi r c l ar r f rth r g ing nn e ,

e e , a e o
0 sw e t a d f r f r m c li ff a d s a
e n a o n e r
T h h rns f E l a d f aintl y b l wi g
e o o n o n
Bl w l t h ar t he p rpl gl s r plying
o , e us e u e en e :
Bl w b gl answ r cho dying dyi g dying

o , u e e , e e s, , n ,
H o m th y b ro ght he warrio r d e ad
e e u r
3 38 FI VE CE N TURIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
S o m e tim e s I h ave m ys e l f f e l t inc l ine d t o c o nd e mn t he
Idyll s o f t he King fo r unre al ity an d pr o l ixity ; as if o n e
had a right t o re quir e t al e s o f chiva l ry t o b e r ati o n al t e rs e
Whe n in a j u s t e r m
, ,
s e nte nti o us pithy,

ood I a d mit th at ,
he must b e a f o rtun at e stud e nt o f r o m anc e who is c o n

ve rs ant wi t h an y m o re f ascin ating th an Ge r aint an d Eni d ,
L aunc e l o t an d E l ain e t he L ast T o urn a m e n t fo r all the ir

, ,
diffus e n e ss ; with aught m o re di vin e th an Gui ne ve re

wh e r e T e nnys o n fo und at l e ngth a wo rthy m atch fo r t he
e l s e p e e r l e ss cr e atur e o f his y o uthfu l i m aginings kingl y ,
Mo rte d Ar t hur
’
.
Wh at stre a m l e t ag ain in a d e ll o f Parn assus e ve r

, ,
l au ghe d m o re g ai l y than t he B r o o k e sc ap e d fr o m its ,
e ncumbe ring fr a m e 7 Wh e r e is th e r e a m o r e h appi l y

i nsp ire d Pr o th al ami o n th an t he W e l c o m e t o A l e x an d r a ,
Bride o f t h he ir f t he king s o f t he s a 7
e o e
19
Whe re a b att l e s o ng t o be at t he Ch arge o f t he Six Hun dre d

-
Into t he v all y o f D e ath e

2°
W h e re a mo re triump hant fun e r al hymn th an t hat o n t he

Gr t Duke wi th t e gr an d bre ak t he cry o f t he mighty
e a ,
h —
Se aman fro m his t o mb

W h i h that c m t h lik d g e st
’
o s e oh e , e an on our u ,
With b an r a d wi th m si c wi th s ldi r a d wi th pri t

n e n u , o e n es ,
Wi th a nati o n w ping a d b r aking o my r st

ee , n e n e
21
If imp at i e nc e b e fe l t at t he re suscit ati o n o n t he gr ave s ,

’
brink o f Lo c ks l e y H all le t it b e r e m e mbe r e d th at thre e

, ,
ye ars l at e r t he wo rn br ain de m o nstr ate d its vi cto ry o ve r

age in Cr o ssing t he B ar
L o ng in de e d be fo r e th at y e t m any ye ars aft e r F it z Ge r ald
,
wo ul d h ave si l e nce d hi s frie nd t he singe r had trie d t ri u m ,
p an t ly a n e w str a in
h I we ll r e c o ll e ct t he de pth o f t he
.
i mpre ssi o n pro duce d by t he app e ar ance o f In Me m o ri a m .

ALFRED TE N N YSO N 339
No fin e r t ribu t e i t was ac k no wl e dge d had e ve r be e n o ffe re d

, ,
t o t he de ad e ve n by M i lt o n o r by She ll e y
,
High as alr e ady
,
.
w as T e nnys o n s r an k a m o ng p o e ts th e re had be e n d o ubte rs

’
,
sti ll In Me m o ri am si l e nc e d the m It has n e ve r re l axe d

. .
its h o ld o n p o p u l ar symp athy Li ke his i llustri o us p r e .
d e c e sso r s In t im ati o ns o f Im m o r t al ity it w as fe l t —an d

’
,
with a m o re attachin g m e l o dy— to c o mbine Inqu iry an d

Po e try t o b e o f t he rare c l ass o f ve rs e w h e re
,
All t he b r z f F ncy bl o ws ee e o a ,
A d v ry t ho u g ht b r aks
n e e t a r s e ou o e .
22
Line s in it h ave be c o m e p art o f o urs e l ve s F o r m any .
it is a m an u al o f F aith
W h t am I a
An i nfant c ryi g i t h nig ht n n e
An in fant c ryi ng f t h light or e
And wi th l gu ag b t c ry no an e u a .
f al te r whe re I fi rml y tro d

I ,
And f alling wi th my we ig ht o f c are s

Upo n t he gre at wo rld s altar stairs ’
-
That slo p e thro darkne ss u p t o Go d’

,
I stre tch l ame hands o f f ai t h an d g ro pe , ,
A d g athe r d u s t a d c haff a d c all

n n , n
T o what I f e e l i s Lo rd o f all ,
And f aintly tru st t he larg r ho pe e

?3
many it is e vi de nc e fo r t he Co m mun io n o f
W he n su mme r s ho u rly me ll o wi n g cha g
’
-
n e
M ay b re at he wi t h m any r o se s sw e t
, e ,
Upo n t he tho u sand wav e s o f wh at e ,
That rippl e ro und t he lo ne l y g ra g e n
C o me n o t in watc he s o f t he ni ght ,
B u t whe re t he s nb e am b o o d e t h warm
u r ,
C o m e b e a te o s in thine afte r f o rm
,
u u ,
And like a fin e r light i light n .

Ishall o t the D ar I ay
n se e e . e s
N spiri t v r b rak t h b and

o e e e e
T h t stay s him f r m t h tiv l d

a o e na e an ,
W h r fi rst h w lk d wh n cl aspt i c l ay 2
e e e a
’
e n
‘
No visu al shad e o f s o m e o e l o st n ,
B u t h t he Spiri t him s lf m ay c o m e
e, e ,
W he re all t he e rv e o f s e nse i s nu m b n
Spirit t o Spiri t G ho st t o G ho st , .
t re f o re f ro m t hy sightl e ss rang e
O he
Wi th g o ds in un c o n j e ct re d b lis u s,
O f ro m t h dist anc e f t he aby s

,
e o s
Of t e nf ld c o m pli c at e d c ha g
o -
n e,
D e sc nd a d t u c h a d e nt r ; he ar
e , n o , n e
T he wish t o o s t ro ng fo w o rds t nam e r o
That i this bli ndn ss o f t h f ram

n e e e
My gho st m ay f e e l that thine i s ne ar .

24
N atur e had nd o we d T e nnys o n with c e rt ain qu al itie s

e
w hich d e fie d t he t e n de ncy o f ye ars t o p ar al ys e o r d u ll ,

.
His e ar pre s e rve d its al m o st inimit ab l e re fin e m e nt an d ,
instinct o f h a rm o ny His he art ke pt fir e t o k ind le The

.
R e ve nge an d T he Victim B r ain an d it m aint ain e d th e ir

,
.
a ll i anc e . In e ve ry l ine he sti ll p ainte d a pictur e H e .
n e ve r de scribe d witho ut h aving m a d e hims e l f se e t he

sc e ne an d he m ake s t he r e a d e r se e it thr o u gh his min d s ’
eye . With t he s e in e stim ab l e gifts w as c o nj o ine d in an ,
incre asing rathe r than a diminis hing d e gre e by e xp e ri e nc e , ,
a judg e m e nt w hi ch w ait e d b e f o r e int e rve ning fo r inspir a , ,
t i o n t o p l ay its prim ary p a rt Fin all y b o rn o f unf ail ing .

,
s e l f r e sp e ct first an d d u e r e g ard fo r his pu b l ic n e xt the re

-
, ,
w as g e nius s infin it e c ap a city fo r t aking tr o u b l e Wh at

’
.
a st e rn Dr a c o ni an c ri tic he w a s o f his o wn w o r k is m an i
, ,
f e s t fr o m a g l ance in t he Life at t he pi e ce s he l ai d asid e .
T hink o f t he e xube r anc e o f f ancy which c o ul d affo rd t o

a pp e nd ed H e c o ul d n o t p ass a c o nte mp o rary pr o b l e m by
.
with o ut a dve ntu ring an ans we r Mo r e than o n e c o e val at .
h o m e an d a cr o ss t he Atl antic had as I h ave s ho wn t he

, , , ,
s a m e cr aving His sp e ci al a dvant age w as t he p o ss e ssi o n

.
,
o ve r an d a b o v e gif t s he sh a r e d wit h o th e rs o f t he s e cr e t ,
o f irr e sistib l e m e l o dy Whe n o nc e t he str ange n e ss o f his

.
m e th o d w as s u rm o u nte d th at acte d l i ke a sp e ll up o n
,
Angl o S axo n inte ll ige nc e Lo ng be fo r e t he e n d he had

-
.
ste e p e d t he re al m o f Eng l ish ve rs e in an atm o sphe re all

his o wn Exce pt fr o m within o n e t e nt in t he wi l d e rn e ss
.
,
n o l yr e s o u nd e d w hich had n o t be e n tun e d o r re tun e d in
u nis o n w ith his Und e r t he str e ss o f t he u nch alle nge d

.
a bs o l u te n e ss o f his u l ti m at e s u pr e m a cy an e ff o rt is n e e d e d ,
t o r e c all th at he had t o fight fo r hi s thr o n e th at he hims e l f

had o fte n d e sp ai r e d c o mp l aining th at
,
O c e i a g o ld n h r
n n e ou
I c ast t ar t h a s d o e ee .
Up the re c m a fl o w r a e e ,
T h p p l s id a w d e eo e a , ee .
27
H ave I o ve rpr ais e d ? I d o n o t m e an in vi e w o f t he ,
ve ry p o ssibl e hint that I o u ght first t o h ave c o nsid e re d

what m y e u l o gie s we r e w o rth T o th at t aunt I kn o w .
I have b e e n e xp o sing mys e l f thr o ugh o u t my s e ve nty t w o -
c o m m e nts B u t witho u t r e g ard t o my tit l e t o an o pini o n

.
,
at all is t he p an e gyric h e r e o u t o f just pr o p o rti o n t o t he

,
c l aims o f o the r p o e ts 2 At an y r ate I h ave n e ve r c o nc e al e d
fl
fr o m mys e l f my the m e s d e fic ie nci e s I pe rc e ive th at t he
’
.
l iqu id s we e tn e ss is t o o invari abl e T he c ar pin e s fo r a l ittl e .
harshne ss a s e ns e o f o p e n air
,
fo r an o cc asi o n al u n in t e n
t io n ally br o ke n b ac ke d l in e -
T he m e lli u o u s styl e t e mpts
.
t o ve rb o s e n e ss p articu l a r l y in t he Idyll s
,
in t he r e s t as ,
we ll as th o s e o f T he King wh e r e ind e e d it is m o r e e x c u s
, , ,
ab l e . At tim e s i t l ab o ri o us l y e mb al ms a fly in am be r T o o .
ALFRED TE N N YSO N 343
m any kno tty q u e stio ns ar e l ight l y pro p o u nd e d The r e is .
a pr o p e nsity t o mist ak e si t tin g up o n t he p u zz l e s o f e xiste nc e
fo r th e ir inve s t ig ati o n if n o t fo r th e ir s e tt l e m e nt
,
No t .
r ar e l y t he ar t by w hich Gr ay in t he E l e gy pr o d u c e d
t he e ffe c t o f e nti re si mp l ici t y f ai l s T e nn ys o n Th o ugh .
ve ry s e l d o m e ve n his t aste is n o w an d th e n at f au l t
,
.
In bri e f his t he o l o gy m o r al phi l o s o phy sc ie nc e an d

, , , ,
s ki ll in t he c o nstructi o n o f a p l o t ar e t ho s e o f a p o e t , ,
n o t o f a B ish o p B ut l e r a D ar w in o r a Wi lkie Co ll ins

‘
.
, ,
H e sings d ar kling n o t s o a ring ,

Th e re is t he fe mini ne .
n o te in his music H e is n o t quite t he mag ici an o r

.
pr o ph e t s o m e o f hi s discip l e s pro cl aim e d hi m Scrutiniz e d .
c l o s e l y his ar t b e tr ays fl aw s which t he d e l ic ate fin i sh

had c o ve r e d — an d his Mu s e is t he m o r e a d o r ab l e fo r
t he m all
‘
Within i t s pr o p e r b o un da ri e s his s o ve r e ignty is in n o

h o sti l e rival ry with th at o f his re igning pre d e c e ss o rs On .
t he c o ntr a ry l o ya l a d mir e rs m ay fr e e l y a d mit t hat t he

,
anci e nt e nt hr o n e m e nts we r e a c o n di ti o n o f his With o ut .
Chauc e r Sp e ns e r Milt o n W o rds wo rth an d Co l e ri d ge

, , , ,
She ll e y an d Ke ats with o ut Dryd e n an d Po p e t o o Co wpe r

, , ,
an d B yr o n he w o ul d n o t h ave b e e n t ha t he w as
,
Fr o m .
th e m all he l e arnt t o ch o o s e t he g o o d an d as pro fit abl y , , ,
t o r e fus e t he e vi l His p o e tic s o u l c o ul d its e l e m e nts b e

.
,
an a l ys e d wo u l d re nd e r g l ad a cc o u nt o f t he b o untifu l
,
pr o p o rti o n o f the ir e sse nc e it o we s t o its fo re runne rs Y e t .
he r e m ains hims e l f a d i stinct an d gr a ci o us be ing T he .
l yrics in T he Prince ss an d in Maud wi t h all the i r E liz a f ,
be th an d aintine ss ar e as s e l f e vid e ntl y his in the ir fir e an d

,
-
fe e l ing as ar e t he wit an d wi sd o m o f hi s N o rthe rn F a rm e rs ’
pr o ve rbi al phi l o s o phy It w as as I h ave alre ad y intim ate d

.
, ,
a g l o ry an d a b l e ssing fo r t he nin e t e e nth c e ntury t hat j u s t ,
whe n t he p e al o f inspir at i o n which str u c k u p at its o pe ning ,

s ee me d t o h ave rung all c o nce ivab l e ch ange s o f p o e tic
-
th o ught an d fe e l ing he ar o s e t o de m o nst rate th at give n , ,
t he m an t he p o ss ib l e v a ri ati o ns had in n o wis e b e e n

,
e xh aust e d .
S o m ay it b e — so will i t b e — in t he futur e as in t he p ast ,
th o u gh had t he sun o f g re at B ritish singe rs actu all y be e n

,
e xtinguish e d w ith A lfr e d T e nnys o n its s e tting w o u ld n o t ,
h ave dish o n o ure d its d awn

T he W rk f Alfr d L rd T y o P t L r t s o e ,
o enn so n , oe au e a e . C ll ct d
o e e
E d iti M c mill
on , 1 884 Al W rk a S ix v l H S an , . so , o s : o s . . . 1 87 7
1
R c ll cti e f t h Ar b i
o N ight
e t 1 on s o e a an s, s . .
1
T h Dyi g Sw e n an .
5
Th L t E t r C h ri c S g t 5
e o o s- a e s, o on , s . .
4
T h S l pi g P lac
e t 1 d T h D p rt r
ee n a e, s .
, an e e a u e .
A D r m f F ir W m t z 2 2 3 2 5 1 —62
g
5
ea o a o e n , s an as , ,
.
5
T h L d y f S h l t t P rt I I st 4
e a o a o , a , . .
7
Si G l h d t 4
r a a a , s . .
St Ag E
5
. t 3 n es
’
ve , s .
Oe n o n e .
r
M a ian a in t he S th t 1 ou ,
s . .
T he T w o V ic t z 20 2 4 o e s, s an as , .
T he P lac f Art t z a 2 2 2 4
a e o ,
s an s , .
11
T he Vis i o n of Sin , st . 3 .
Br k b k br k
14
ea , re a , ea .
I t h G rd
1 5
n t Sw i t e a en a a ns on .
T h P ri c
1 “
A M d l y 6 S g Pr l d t Bk
e n ess : e e , . on , e u e o . IV st . 2 ; an d
S g P l d t Bk VI t z 1 4
on , re u e o .
, s an as , .
I b id 4
1 7
2 1 —5 .
, , vv . .
M d
1 5
AM d m V t
au 1 :d 3 on o ra a .
, s an z as an .
A W lc m t Al x d r
1 9
e o e o e an a .
T h Ch rg
7 °
f t h Light Brig d
e a e o e a e .
Od
“1
t h D th f t h D k
e on f W lli gt t 6 e ea o e u e o e n on , s . .
I M m ri m 1 22 t 5
n e o a , , s . .
I bid 5 4 t 5
73
d 55 t . 4—5
, , s .
, an , s an z as .
I b id 9 1 t z
11
1 —4 d 93 t
.
, z 1 —4 , s an as , an ,
s an as .
Li f
75
fL d T y by hi S
e o l i pp 1 2 4—5 or enn so n s on , vo .
, . .
Th P t t 14
2“
e oe , s . .
T h Fl w r (T h Pri c
17
e d Oth r P m ) o e e n e ss an e oe s .
kn o w at it s birth m o ve d p e rh aps tr ansfo rm e d t he auth o r
, , , , .
W e f e e l th at fo r t he m o m e nt it has tr ansfo rm e d us
, ,
No .
cr e de ntial s ar e want e d n o i llu stri o u s n a m e S u d de n l y t he

, .
wo r d s c atch fir e an d o ur s o u l s wi th the m
, .
T he s e ns e o f m ast e ry o f tr ansp o rt o f a k ind o f m agic

, , ,
is a lways t he s a m e T he o cc asi o n t he circumst ance s t he

.
, ,
p at e rnity an d affiniti e s o f t he V isit ant wh e n w e try t o ,
a cc o u nt fo r its pr e s e nce diffe r as w i de l y as Sp e ns e r s ’
inspir ati o n fr o m Po p e s o r W o r ds wo rth s fr o m B yro n s

’
,
’ ’
.
S o m e tim e s t he p o e t had c o nst ant l y be e n within t he

a uth o r o f suc h v e rs e b u t as l e e p t o rpi d
,
A sh o c k had
,
.
aw ak e n e d hi m it sp e nt its f o rc e an d he s an k b a c k int o
l e thargy o r re p o s e S o m e tim e s t he pi e ce re pr e s e nts t he

.
spring ti de o f m o de st p o we rs a sp asm o f c o nce ntrati o n o f

-
,
the ir e ss e nc e uninte lligib l e t o th e ir o wn e r T he wri te r s

,
.
’
d o min ant i mpu l s e m ay h ave be e n o th e r al to ge th e r than

th at o f f ancy It m ay h ave be e n w o r l d l y a mbiti o n
.
,
in dign ati o n at tyr anny o r cru e l ty wo nd e r l o ve t he , , ,
e nthusi asm o f pi e ty A l e ve r has be e n s o ught t o ae c o m

.
p lish t h e cr avi ng o f t he r u l ing p assi o n an d fo r t he in st r u ,
m e nt ve rs e has be e n r e quisiti o n e d Pu re i m agin ati o n s .

’
rival rh e t o ri c its e l f wi ll e ve r an d an o n fo r c e o p e n in its

'
, ,
flo o d a spring o f p ath o s r aptur e Str aight w ay w e fe e l,

.
o ur s e l ve s r ap t fr o m c hi ll a d mir ati o n int o g l o w ing sy m

p athy S o m e tim e s it is all an a ccid e nt A visi o n a
. .
,
gh o st has stu mb l e d u p o n a str ange r l o dge d in t he h aun te d

,
ro o m ; S o m e t i m e s it simp l y is t hat insp irati o n has be e n

wan de ring afte r its m ann e r in s e arch o f a h o m e Lo o ki ng .
ab o ut fo r r e st t o t he s o l e s o f its f e e t it has t ak e n re f u g e ,
with n o b e tt e r th an a v e r sifi e r .
Po e try fr o m t he tim e o f its E l iz ab e th an re vival fo r s o m e

,
t hre e qu arte rs o f a c e ntu ry o nw ar d s w as in t he British air

-
,
.
A l arge r l ife had o p e n e d fo r o u r is l and e rs fre e d o m o f s o u l , ,

UN CLASSED 3 47
new a mbiti o ns an e xp ans e o f ar t l e arn ing l uxury The y

, , , .
had gr o wn int o l o r d s t o g o v e rn a l arg e r wo r l d A l angu age .
fo r such a p e ri o d w as w anting an d m any sc a rc e l y c o mpr e ,
h e n di ng t he ch ange in th e ir utte r ance fo und t he mse l ve s ,
p o e ts T he y s ang b e c ause the y c o u l d n o t he l p i t an d we re

.
,
inc l ine d t o b e ash a m e d o f t he i mpul s e I t s e l d o m o ccur re d .
t o th e m t o c l aim p ro p e rty in th e ir str a ins N e ve r th o u gh .

,
the y might c o urt p o pu l a r favo u r fro m t he st age did it ,
e nt e r th e i r mi n ds t o a d o pt minstre l sy a s th e ir v o c ati o n .
In such a pe ri o d o n e w ho had he ch o s e n t o ab and o n ,
o th e r pursuits c o u l d c o nc e iv ab l y h ave qu al ifie d fo r f u t u r e

,
g e n e r ati o ns as a p o e t pr o fe ss e d might wr ite Occ asi o n al

, ,
Ve rs e c o mp ar ab l e with th at by re c o gniz e d m aste rs o f

t he cr aft . T he Li e c o m m o n l y th o u gh n o t un iv e rs all y
, , ,
attribut e d t o R al e gh is a succ e ssi o n o f l ightn ing fl ash e s

,
S y t t h Co r t i t g l ws
a o e u , o
And shin s lik ro tt n wo o d e e e
S ay t t h C h r c h it sh ws
o e u , o
W h t g o d d d th g d a
’
s o ,
an o no oo
I f C h rch d C rt r pl y
u an ou e ,
Th g iv th m b o th t h li
en e e e e .
1
N o c o nte mp o r ary e u l o gy o n Si d n e y s u rp ass e s his e pit aph

W h t hath he l o st th t s ch g r at g r c h th wo
a a u e a e a n
Y o ng y ars f
u e dl ss y ars a d h p un s r
o r en e e ,
n o e u e
Of f o rt s g ifts f w al th that still sh ll d re

’
un e or e a u
O h ppy r ac wi t h
a g r at p rais s
e, ! so e e r un
2
H i s s o nn e t,
M t ho g ht I aw t h g rav wh r L ra lay
e u s e e e e au ,
w o rthi l y intr o d u ce d t he Fae ri e Que e ne His app e al in t he .
Pi l grim age fr o m his p e rs e cu t o rs t o He ave n is inspire d if ,
e ve r ve rs e w a s
Bl o d m st b my b dy s b lm r
o u e o
’
a e
N t h r b alm will t h r b e g iv
o o e e e en
W hil t m y s o l lik q i t p lm r
s u , e u e a e ,
Tr v ll th t wards t h l and o f h av n
a e e o e e e
O ve r t h silv e r m o unt ains
e ,
W h re spring t he ne ctar f unt ains

e o
Th r will I kiss
e e
T h b o wl f b liss
e o
And drink mi v rl sting fill ne e e a
Up n v ry milke n hill
o e e .
Th n by that happy blissf l d y

e u a ,
M r p ac f l pil g rims I shall

o e e e u se e ,
Th t h v e c ast ff th ir r ag s o f cl y
a a o e a ,
And w lk app ar ll d f re sh lik e m

a e e e
I ll t ak th m fi rs t
’
e e
T q nc h th ir thirs t
o ue e
A t th s cl ar w lls o e e e
W h r sw tn ss dw lls
e e ee e e .
F r m th nc t o h av n s b ri b l ss h ll
o e e e e
’
e e a
Wh r e c rr pte d v i c s b rawl
e no o u o e
N c ns c i nc e m l te n int g ld
o o e o o o ,
N f r g d a cc u s r b
o o e ght o s o ld e ou r ,
N c a s d f rr d
o u e v ain s pe nt j rn y
e e e , no -
ou e ,
F o t h r C hris t i t h king s A tt rn y
’
r e e s e o e ,
W h p l ds f
o all wi tho t d g r
ea s or u e ee ,
An d H h t h ang ls b t
e a f s e ,
u no ee .
And wh n t h g r and tw lv millio n j u ry

e e e e-
Of o ur sins wi th dir f l f ry ,
e u u ,
Agains t s ls b l ck v rdi cts g iv

o ur ou a e e,
C hrist pl ads hi d ath a d th n w liv

e s e , n e e e .
3
F o r s we e t c o urt l in e ss if n o t fo r astr o n o mic a l a ccur acy

, ,
a l m o st as much mig ht b e s a i d o f W o tt o n s add r e ss t o t he

’
h ap l e ss Wint e r Que e n
You m n r b a ti s f t h night
ea e e u e o e ,
That p rly s ti fy oo y s a s o ur e e
M re by y o u r nu mb r than y u r light
o e o ,
Y o c o mm n p o p l
u f t h ski s ; o e e o e e
W hat a y o wh n t h m n shall ris Z

re u e e oo e
‘
You vi o l ts th t firs t app ar

e a e ,
By y r p r p rpl m antl s kn w
ou u e u e e o n
Lik t h p r d virgi s f t h y ar
e e ou n o e e ,
As if t h sp ri g w r ll y r w
e n e e a ou o n
W hat a y wh t h ro i s bl w
re ou en e se o n
Yet whil s t with s o rr w h r w liv pp t
’
o e e e e o re s ,
W hat life i b s t 2 s e
‘
C o rt s a e b t o l y s p rfic ial s c h ls
u r u n u e oo
T o d andl f o ls e o
T h ru r al p ar t i t d int a d
’
e s urn o en
Of s v ag m
a e en
And whe n a city f r m f o l vi c s o f r e

’
s o u e e ,
B t m ay b e t e m d t h w rs t o f all t h thr e
’
u r e o e e
D o me sti c c are s affli ct t he hu sb and s b e d ’

,
Or p ain hi he ad s
Tho se that li ve s ingle tak e it fo r a cu rse ,
Or d o thing s w o rse
The se wo ul d have c hildre n tho s that hav e e n o ne ,
Or wish th m g o ne e
What i s it the n t o hav e o hav e o wif e

, , ,
r n ,
B u t sing l e thrald o m o a d o u b l e s trife 2

‘
, r
Ou r o wn affe ctio ns s till at ho m e to ple ase

I s a dise as e
T o c ro ss t he s e a s to an y f o re i gn s o il ,
Pe ril an d t o il
Wars wi th the ir no ise affright u whe n the y c e as s e,
W e ar e w o rs e i n p e ac e
What the n re m ains b u t that w e still sho ld c ry ,
u
F o b e ing b o rn an d b e ing b o rn t o d ie
r , ,
5
T he rigin o f a l arge b o dy o f l yri c ve rs e t o b e fo un d in
fl
o
t he E l iz a be than an d e a r l y Stu art dr a m a is n o t ve ry diffe r

en t. Wits w ho tr u st e d fo r m o n e y an d f a m e t o th e i r
d e ve l o pm e nt o f ch aracte r o n t he st ag e sur vive by rhym e s ,
t he y u n g in t o e mp l o y s o m e b o y s tun e fu l vo ic e Th o m as
-
’
.
D e kke r w ho y e t had dr a m atic g e nius is sure o f survi ving

, ,
t hro ugh t he simp l e gr ace o f

Ar t tho p o o r y e t hast tho u g o ld e n slu m b e rs
u ,
0 sw e e t c o n te nt
Ar t tho u ri ch y t i s t hy mind pe rpl e x d
, e e
O p un i shm n t e
U N CLASSED 35 1
Do s t tho u l a g h t o se e ho w f o ls a e v xe d
u o r e
T o ad d t o g o ld e n nu m b e rs g o ld e n nu m b e rs
0 sw e e t c o nte nt ! 0 swe e t 0 swe e t c o n te nt ,
C anst drink t he wate rs o f t he c ris ped sp ring 2 ‘
0 swe e t c o n te nt
Swimm s t tho u i n w e al th y e t sink s t i n thine o wn te ars 2
’ ’ ‘
O p unishm e nt
The n he that p atie ntly want s b u rde n b e ars ’
N o b u rd e n b e ars b u t i s a king a ki g
, , n
0 swe e t c o n te nt ! 0 swe e t 0 sw ee t c o n te nt ,
Wo rk ap ac e ap ac e ap ac e ap ac e
, , ,
H o ne st lab o u r b e ars a lo v e ly f ac e 7
T he s a m e c a su al qu al ity c ann o t in de e d b e assign e d t o

t he gr e at s o ng w hich chill s as w ith t he d a mp o f de ath in
, ,
W e bste r s Duche ss o f M alfy Int o th at t he who l e s o u l

’
.
o f t he t e rrib l e p l ay is c o nd e ns e d
H ark n o w e ve rythi n g i s still

, ,
T he s c re e c h o wl an d t he whistl e r s hrill
-
,
C all u p o n o u r d ame al o u d ,
A d b id he r qu i c kl y d o he r shr o u d
n n
Mu ch y o u had o f land an d re nt ;
Y o u r l e n gth i n cl ay s n o w c o m p e te nt ’
A l o ng wa distu rb e d y o u r mi nd
r
H e re yo u r p e rfe ct p ac e i s signe d e .
Of what i s t f o o ls m ak e s c h v ain k e e ping

’
u
Sin the ir c o nc e pti o n the ir b ir th w e e pi g , n ,
The ir life a g ne ral mist o f e rro r

e ,
The ir d e ath a hid e o u s sto rm o f te rr o r

, .
Stre w y o u r hair wi th p o wd e rs swe e t ,
D o n c l e an line n b at he yo u r f e t , e ,
And t he fo ul fi nd m o re t o che c k
— e
A c ru c ifix le t b l e ss y o u r ne c k
Ti s o w f u ll t id e twe e n ni g ht an d d ay
’ ’
n -
E n d y o u r g ro an an d c o m e away “ , .
B ut t he ru le o f t he s le n de r n e ss o f t he c o nne xio n be t we e n a
d r a m a an d its s o ngs h o l ds tr u e o f t he t win l yri cs o f Shirl e y s ’
,
w ho th o ugh b o rn l at e is as a sing e r E l iz a be than

, , ,
Bo t h , .
,
as fu llo f aw e — with n o thing as W e bste r s o f t he ho rro r— ’
,
might h ave b e e n c o mp o s e d with o ut r e l ati o n t o t he m asque

an d t he e nt e rt ainm e nt th e y o nc e g l o rifi e d Cupid an d D e ath .
has c e ase d fo r c e nturi e s t o lay an y c l aim t o t he Od e

Vi ct rio s m o f ar th o m o r
o u en e , n e
Pro cl im ho w wid y o r m pir s a

a e u e e re
Th gh y o bind i e v e ry sho r
ou u n e,
And y r triu m phs r e ac h a faou s r
As night d ay or ,
Y et y o p r d m o nar c hs m s t b y
u, ou , u o e ,
A d ming l wi th f rg o tte n ash s w he n

n e o e ,
D ath c alls y e t t h c ro wd o f c mm n m
e o e o o en .
D v o u ring F amin Pl gu a d W a
e e, a e, n r,
E ac h ab l t o nd o m ankind e u ,
D ath s s r vil miss ari s a

e
’
e e e e re
N o t t h s a l o n c o fin d
r o e e e n e ,
H hath t will e a
M r q aint a d s btl way s t o kill

o e u n u e
A smi l kiss a h will u t h a t

e or , s e se e r ,
S hall hav t he c nning skill t b r ak he ar t

e u o e a .
9
Eve n m o r e ind e p e n de nt if p o ssib le mus t t he siste r hymn , ,
ha ve a lw ays b e e n o f its o bscur e s e mi d r a m atic att e n d ant -
T h g l ri s f o
e o b l o d d s t at
e o ur o an e
A shad ws o t s b st ntial thi g s ;

re o , n u a n
T h re i
e arm o r ag ains t f at
s no u e
D e ath l y s hi i y hand king s

a s c on
Sc ptr a d c r wn m s t t m ble d o wn
e e n o u u ,
And i t h d s t b q al m ad
n e u e e u e
Wi th t h p r c r o o k d s cyth a d spade
e oo e e n .
T h g arl ands wi th r o y
e r br w e n ou o
Th b st m r y u r mighty d e ds
en oa no o e o e
Up n D th s pu r pl al tar w
o ea
’
e no
S ee,wh r t h vi ct o r vi ctim b le e ds
e e e -
Y r h ads mu s t c m
ou e o e
T o t h c ld t o m b e o
Only t h acti ns f t h j t e o o e us
S m ll sw e t a d b l s m i th ir d st
e e , n os o n e u .
10
Wi thin mi n y e s h m ake s hi n t e e e s es ,
H i s b e d amids t m y t nd r b r a t e e e s
My kis s a hi d il y f a t
se re s a e s ,
And y t h r b s m f m y r e s t ;
e e o e o
Ah w ant o n will y e 2
‘
And if I sl e p the n p ch t h he e , er e
Wi th p r tty flight e ,
And m ak s hi s pillo w f m y kne e

e o
T he l if l o g ni ght e n .
Strik I m y lu te h t ne s t h stri g
e , e u e n
H m si c p l ay s if
e u I sing so
H l nds m
e e v e ry l o v ly thing e e e ,
Y t c r l h m y h ar t d o th s t ing
e ue e e
Whist want n s till y , o , e
E ls I wi th r o s s v r y d y
e e e e a
Will whi p y u h nc o e e,
And b ind y o whe n y o u l o ng t o pl ay u, ,
F yo r ff nc
or u o e e .
I ll sh t m y e y s t o k p y i
’
u e ee ou n
I ll m ak y o u f s t i t f y r si
’
e a or ou n
I ll c nt y o u r p w r o t w r th a p i
’
ou o e n o n .
— Al as w hat h r by shall I w i e e n
I f h g ains ay m e e
W hat if I b at t he wanto n b o y e
Wi th m ny a o d 2 a r
‘
H will r p ay m wi th ann y
e e e o ,
B c a se g d
e u a o .
Th n it tho s af l y o m y kn
e s u e n ee
Th n l t t hy b w r my b o s m b
e e o e o e
L rk i min
u y s I lik f th
n e e e , e o ee
O Cu pid s o th pi ty m
, ou e,
Sp re n o t b t pl ay th !
a ,
u ee
12
If Lo ve s music is t he m o st au dibl e in t he Occ asi o n al

’
sixt e e nth s e ve nt e e nth c e ntur y ve rs e th at w as t o b e

- -
,
e xp e ct e d ; an d as n atur all y
,
it is in all ke ys It is ,
.
e mb o d i e d d aintin e ss in C ar e w s m o r a l izing
’
U N CLASSED 35 5
He that l v s a ro sy c h e k o e e ,
Or a c o r l lip admir s a e ,
O f r m s t a r l ik e y e s d t h s e e k
r o - e o
Fu e l to maintain hi s fi re s
As o ld Ti me m ake s the se de c ay ,
S o hi s fl am e s mu s t w as te away .
13
To gr ac e it dd s
a sunny g l o w in Fo r d s
a ,
’
Ca y o p ain t a t ho g ht
n u o n mb r u r u e
E ve ry f ancy i a sl m b r n u e
Ca y o u c o un t s ft m i
n t s ro ving o nu e
F ro m a dial s p in t by m o vi g ’
o n
Can y o g ras p a si g h
u l a tl y or, s ,
R b a virgin s h no r c has te ly ?
’
o o u
No , oh n o y e t y o u may
S o o ne r b t t t a d this d o o h ha n ,
T his a d that a d n v e r missn , n e ,
T han by a y praise display n
B e au ty s b e au ty su c h a glo ry
’
As b yo nd all f ate all sto ry

e , ,
All arm s all ar ts , ,
Al l l o ve s all he ar ts , ,
G re ate r than tho se o r th y ,

e ,
D o shall an d m u s t o b e y ;
, ,
14
an d in th at pre tty fo und l ing— if n o t Tho m as Campio n s ’
T h r i s a gard n i h fac
e e e n er e
W h r r se s d whi te lili s blo w

e e o an e
A h av nly p radise i that plac

e e a s e,
Whe r in all pl asant f r i ts d o g ro w

e e u
T h re c h rri s g r w that n n m ay b y
e e e o o e u ,
Till Che y R ipe th ms lv s d c ry

rr o
e e e o .
15
It gro ws tumul tuo us in ano the r str ay Lo ve ,

t he A d ve nture r
Y o m ay s t m hi m u e ee
A child fo hi might r s
O y o m ay d m hi m r u ee
A c o ward f hi flight or s
Z 2
wh m l v d o th ho n r
B u t if she o o e ou
al d f r m t h d y
’
B e co n ce o e a ,
S t
e th and g rd p h
a o us ua s u on er,
L v will fi d t t h w ay
o e n ou e
?“
It us e s an d i de al iz e s D ave n ant s Aub ade a de l ightful if ’
, ,
m ann e re d e xtr avag anc e wo rth all his l e a d e n G o n d ib e r t

,
—
T he l ark w l e av e s his w at r y n t
’
no es ,
And c lim bing shak s hi d wy wing s e s e .
H e t ak s this wind w fo t h E as t
e o r e ,
And t im pl r y r light he sing s

o o e ou
Awak awak t h m o m will n v r ris

e, e e e e e
Till sh a dr ss h b e a ty at y u r y s
e c n e er u o e e .
It is at o nc e de fi ant an d te nd e r in G e o rge With e r s ’
G r at g d o kind f air
e ,
or oo , r , or ,
I will n r t h m r d sp air ;’
e e e o e e
I f h l v m t his b li v
s e o e e, e e e,
I will d i h s hall g ri ve e re s e e e
I f sh sli g ht m wh n I w
e e e oo,
I a sco r
c n d l t h g n ,
an e er o
F o r , i f she b e not fo r m e ,
W hat c ar e I fo r wh m she b o e ! 1“
W eh n it kn o w s i ts e l f s af e i t w i ll th re at e n h e ct o r— an d
, ,
a d o re
Lik e Al x and r I will r ign

e e e ,
And I will r ign al o n e e
My tho ghts d id ve rm o r disdain

u e e
A riv al o m y thr n n o e .
H i th r f ars his f at t o m ch
e e e e e o u ,
O hi d r rts a sm ll
s e se re a ,
T hat d ar s t p t it t t he t o u ch
e no u o ,
T o g ain l o s e it all or .
B u t if tho u wil t p r o v f ai thf l th n e u e ,
And c nst a t f t hy wo rd o n o ,
I ll m ak th gl o ri s by my p e
’
e ee ou n,
An d f am u s by m y swo rd o
358 FIVE CE N TURIES OF E N G LISH VER SE
B ut fo r n ati ve Sc o ttish i m agin ati o n o f t he h igh e st w e must
l o o k t o t he wi ld g ar d e n o f Bo r de r Minstre l sy T h at whi l e
-
.
,
singu la rl y unl i ke at its b e st t o t he c o ars e ne ss o f Engl ish

, ,
br o a dsh e e t ve rs e an d t he p o l ish o f E l iz abe th an d r a m atic

,
l yrics m atch e s t he l atte r in fir e o f inspir ati o n Thus the

, .
Eng l ish ve rs io n o ffe rs n o c o unte rp art t o t he h aunting

dr e am o f E ar l D o ugl as in t he Sc o ttish t al e o f t he B attl e
o f Otte r b o urn e
I hav e dre am e d a dre ary dre am ,
B e yo nd t he Isle o f S ky
I saw a d e ad man win a fight ,
And I think that m an w as I ? 3
Eve ryb o d y again must h ave fe l t b o th t he w o e an d t he

, ,
di gnity o f t he gr an d o ld b all ad o f Sir P at r ic k Spe ns N o te ,

.
t he C apt ain s kn o wl e d g e th at he w as be ing s e nt t o his d o o m

’
,
an d his si mp l e o be d i e nc e ; t he instinct w ith w hich t he

fe w m aritim e d e t ai l s h a ve be e n s o ch o s e n as t o ad d a s
i mp re ssive r e al ity t o t he i mpe ndi ng d is aste r as t he m any
in t he f a m o u s s hip wr e c k in D o n J u an ; t he narr at o r s ’
sp l e ndi d in d i ffe r e nc e t o t he f ate o f

T he Kin g s d au ght e r 0 N o o w ay
’ ’
r ,
in c o mp ari s o n with t he l o ss o f gu de
S i Pat ri c k Sp e ns t he b s t sail o r
r ,
e
That e v e r s aile d t he s as e
24
The n t he l a m e nt fo r Wi ll i e Dr o wn e d in Y rr w ho w
a o —
t o u chi ng l y wan dering l y wistfu l

,
D o un i y o n g ard e n swe t an d gay

n e ,
W he re b o nn ie g ro ws t he lilie ,
I he ard a f air m aid si g hi g s ay ,

n ,
My wish b e w i swe e t Willie

.
’
.
O Willie s r are a d Willie s f air

’ ’
,
n ,
A d Willi e s w o ndro u s b o nny

’
n
And Willi he cht t o m arry m e

e ,
G in e r he m arrie d o n y
’
e .
UN CLASSED 35 9
Oh, g e ntle wind that b lo we th s o u th , ,
F ro m whe re m y l o ve r e pai t h re ,
C o nve y a kiss f rae his d ar mo u th e ,
And te ll m ho w he far e t h e
B ut Willi go n who m I th u ght

e
’
s e, o on ,
An d d o e s n o t h ar m w ping e e ee
D raws m ny a te ar f ra tr u l v s c
a e e o e
’ ’
c,
Wh n th r m aids a sle ping

e o e re e .
0 c am y by y o wa te r sid
e e u -
e
P d y o t h r o se lili 2
ou
’
u e or e
‘
O am y by y
r c
’
m ado w g r e n
e on e e
O saw y m y sw e t Willi 2
‘
r e e e
Sh s o g ht him p he s o g ht him d n
e u u , s u ou ,
S h s o ght t h b r id a d n arr w
e u e a n o
Sy n i t h c l aving o a c rai g
’
c, n e e ,
S he f und him dr o w e d i Y arr w

o n n o .
It an d t he D o wi e H o u ms o f Y arro w ar e in the ir acc e ptance

o f b e r e a ve m e nt an d de s o l ate n e ss as ad mir ab le as t he
c o nc e rt o f gre at l ate r m e l o di e s t o which the y h ave g ive n
bi rth In t he s e c o nd t he fin al acqu i e sc e nce if re l uct ant
.
, ,
an d pri de o f t he gir l in t he o b lig ati o n u p o n he r b ri de
gr o o m t o f ac e t he c e rt ainty o f de ath at t he h an ds
o f he r j e al o us br e thr e n a d d a fi n e t o uch H e has b e e n .
ch all e nge d an d kn o w s— an d she kn o ws— he m ay n o t

,
h o ld b ac k
F o I m aun gae t ho I ne e r re tu rn
’ ’
r ,
Fr a t h D o wi b anks Yarr w
e e e 0
’
o .
Sh ki d his c h k she k aim d hi s hair

’ ’
e ss ee , ,
As h h d d n b f o r 0
s e a o e e e,
S h b l t d him wi th hi n b l b r and
e e e s o e ,
An h s aw a t Yarro w
’
e
’
o
?“
She w as as brave in l e tting hi m go as He l e n o f Kir c o n n e ll ,
in inte rp o s ing be twe e n t he f at al sh o t an d t he l o ve r she l e ft

d e sp airi ng
0 H e le n f air b e yo nd c o m p are
,
I ll m ak e a g arl an d o t hy hair
’ ’
,
S hall b ind m y he ar t fo e mair r ver ,
Until t he d ay I d ie
0 H e l e n f air ! 0 H l n c has te e e
I f I w e re wi th t h e I w re b l e s t
e e ,
W h re tho lie s lo w an d t ak e s t hy re st
e u ,
On f air Ki co n n e ll le a
r .
I wish I w e r e whe r e H l n li s e e e
N i ght an d d ay o m e she c ri e s
n
A d I am w e ary o f t he skie s
n ,
F or he r s ak e t hat die d fo r me .
T he l ame nt atio n fo r bur d H e l e n is pure t e n de rn e ss .
Mo re c o m m o n l y in th e s e B o r de r st o ri e s t he s e ns e o f he l p
l e ssn e ss d e e p e ns t o d e sp air In Cl e r k S au n de rs fo r
.
,
e x a mp l e a s in Ke ats s P o t o f B a si l t he affe cti o n o f t he

’
, ,
b e re ave d bri d e is ag o ny n o t gri e f T he l o ve r s p e rs o n al

,
.
’
i nn o c e nc e d o e s n o t a ll e vi at e his mis e ry in t he t rage d y

o f t he f o r l o rn re pu l s e d L ass o f Lo c hr o y an W he r e r e m o rs e .
an d p ath o s go h and in h and gui l t fr e qu e nt l y f o rbids e v e n

,
t he s o l a c e o f a t e ar as in t he l o nging o f f air L ad y Ann e

,
t o c l asp t o he r b o s o m t he sn aw whit e d r e a m b o y -
It is -
.
he r b abe gr o wn u p in Parad is e w h o m she had m ur der e d

-
,
t o s ave he r h o n o ur
T i s I w ad c l ad the e in silk a d g o wd
e n ,
And no u ric e the e o n my kne e .

’
O mi the r mi the r wh n I w as thine e ,
S ic kindne ss I c o ldna se e
’ 2“
u .
Gl o o m is t he f avo urite hu e as w as c o ng e n ial p e rh aps in

,
an age an d l and o f D o ug l as T r ag e d i e s B o nni e E ar l s 0 ’

,
Mu rr ay an d Jo hni e Ar mst r an gs whe re e ve ry m an c arri e d

, ,
his o wn l ife an d his o ve r t he B o rde r n e ighb o ur s in his

,
- -
’
,
hand . T ho ugh s e ldo m with o ut g l e a ms o f fin e r fancy ,
t he f av o urit e subj e cts ar e cri m in al w ant o nn e ss as in E ar l ,

O, I hae kill d m y f ath r d ar e e e ,
Mi th r mi th r ; e , e
O I ha kill d m y f ath r d ar
, e e e e ,
Al s a d wae i s m
a , n e
A d whatte n p nanc will y dr

n f that e e e ee or ,
E dward E dward 7 ,
And whatte n pe nanc will y dr e fo that e e e r ,
My d e ar so n o w te ll m 7 n , e
I ll se t m y f e t i y nd r b o at
’
e n o e ,
Mi the r mi th r ; , e
I ll se t m y f e e t i n y o nd e r b o at
’
,
And I ll fare o v r t he se
’
e a.
’
And what will y e d wi y o r t w s a d yo r h o

’
u o
’
r n u a
’
,
E dward E dward 7 ,
And what will y d o w i yo r t o w s a d yo u r ha e

’
u
’
r n
’
,
That w r a fair t s e 7 e e s e o e
I ll l t the m s t and t ill th y d o un f

’ ’
e e a ,
Mi th r mi th r e , e
I ll l t th m s t and t ill th y d o n fa
’ ’
e e e u ,
F h r ne v r m air m aun I b e
’
or e e e .
And what will y l e av t o yo u r b air s a d yo u r wif e e n n e,
E dward E dward 7 ,
And what wi ll y e l v t o yo r b airns a d y o r wif ea e u n u e,
W he n y g ang v i t h s a 7 e o r e e
The w a ld r o m le t t he m b g thr o w l if
’
r s o e e,
T h w a ld r m l t th m b g t hr o w l if
’
e r s oo e e e e
F th m n v r m air will I
or e e e se e .
’
An d what will y l av t y o r i mi th r d ar e e e o u a n e e ,
E dward E dward 7 ,
And what will y l av t o y o u r i mi th r d ar e e e a n e e ,
My d ar e w te ll m so n , no e.
’
T h c rs o f h ll f r a m s all y b r ;
e u e e e e e ea
T h c rse f h ll f rae m s all y b ar ;

u e o e e e e
S i c o un ls y g av t o me
c se e e
35
t he shu dd e ring gh o st all al o ng o f t he m o th e r s

’
, ,
UN CLASSED 3 63
kn o wl e d ge th at t he p arrici de w as inspire d by he r ; t he
c o mpul si o n up o n he r s o u l t o fo rc e he r s o n t o c o nfe ss i t ;
his re l uctance t o d amn he r with t he avo w al ; an d t he
curs e up o n h e rs e l f which she e xt o r ts fr o m his un l o c ke d
l ips an d he art
W e ar e s e nsib l e al m o st o f r e l i e f wh e n fre e zing cyn i c ism ,
a s it s e e ms ,
r ath e r th an re m o rs e is vo iced n o t by m an , , ,
but by r i ve rs
Twe e d s aid t o Till
W hat gars y e r in sae s till 7
Till s aid t o Tw e e d
Tho u gh y e r in wi sp e e d ’
And I in sl aw r ,
Y t whe r e y dro wn ae m a
e e n
I dro wn t w a ; 3“
h o ars e a cce nts o f c arri o n birds

As I wa walking ll alane s a
I he ard t wa c o rb i s m aking a m an ; e e
T h t an nt o t h t t h r y ’
e e u e o e sa ,
W h r sall w gang a d din t o d ay 7

e e e n e -
I b hint y
n a ld f ail d yk
e on u e,
I w t th r li s a
o w sl in kni g ht
e e e ne - a
A d a b d y k ns that h li s th re
n n e o e e e e ,
B t hi hawk hi h nd a d l ad y f ir
u s , s ou , n a .
H i h und i t t h h ting g an
s o s o e un e,
H i hawk t o f tc h t h
s ildf wl ham
, e e W o e,
H i l ad y s t n ano th r m ate
’ ’
s a e e ,
S w m ay m ak
o e di n r sw t o ur n e ee .
Y ll s it o hi whi te ha s b an
e
’
n s u e- e,
An d I ll pi c k t hi b nny b l u
’
ou s o e een
W i a l ck hi g wd n hair
’ ’
e o 0 s o e
W ll th k o ne s t wh n i t g r ws b ar
e
’
ee ur e o e .
M ny a o e fo him m k s m an
o n r a e e,
B t n n s ll k
u a wh r h i g n
e a en e e e s a e
hi whi te b an s wh n th y a b ar
’
O er s e e e re e,
T he wind s all b l aw f v e mai

’ “7
or e r r .
3 64 FIVE CE N T URIES OF E N G LISH VERSE
No witty airy m instre l sy this o f t he Sc o ttish h e aths
, ,
wh e n at its highe st So d o ur it is as t o sugge st that t he

.
u n k n o w n b a r d s n e e de d a murd e r o r a br o k e n he art , to ,
tun e the i r h arp strings B ut t he inspi rati o n is u n mist ak

-
.
ab l e .And r e m e mb e r — I h ave b e e n ab l e t o give but

shr e ds o f a vast flo ating c l o ud o f s o ng with n e ve r a p o e t ,
t o c l aim fo r hi s o wn t he g e ni u s an d t he g l o r y ! T he
,
p e o p l e s p o e try t he b all ad s in ni ne te nths o f Eng l an d

’
— — -
,
by t he e n d o f t he sixte e nth c e ntury whi ch r e vis e d an d ,
v u l g ariz e d Che vy Ch as e had l o st all n ative g l am o ur

, ,
ind e p e n de nt vit al ity Me an w hi l e in Sc o tl an d at l e ast o n

.
, ,
t he fr o nti e r t he w h o l e survi ve d an d m atur e d

,
T he .
Engl ish B o r de r th o ugh as m ay we ll b e h o pe d an d be l i e ve d

, , ,
it p art o o k in t he e nj o ym e nt c o ntribute d l itt l e e xc e pt

, , ,
p o ssib l y t he d i al o gue be t we e n t he Tw e e d an d t he Ti ll
,
.
F o r s o me thr e e hun dr e d ye a rs m o r e o r l e ss t he p o pu l a r
, ,
l ite r ature o n t he n o rthe rn si de w as ve rs e A ll w as h an de d .
d o wn fr o m m e m o ry t o m e mo ry with a r e c o gniz e d right in

,
t he int e rpr e t e rs at e ach st ag e t o m o di fy an d within , ,
n arr o w l i mits m o de rniz e H o w th e s e wan de re rs t o l d a

,
.
t al e an d wi th a varie ty ho w rich H o w m ade t o suit all

,
t aste s an d c l ass e s T he musici an m ight b e e arning fo o d

an d sh e l t e r in a rustic inn o r symp athy an d l arg e ss in t he
,
h all s o f high B ucc l e uch Li ke t he si ll y b lin d Lo chm abe n

.
h arp e r he had st o r e o f t al e s tr agic a l an d p ath e t ic as

, ,
we ll as gro ss an d g ris l y T he m e rit w as as d ive rs e Fr o m

. .
a lo w de pth it r o s e t o p o ints o f sub l imity h o rr o r t e n de r n e ss , , ,
s e l f sacr ifi ce which e d uc ate d inspir ati o n m ay m atch but

-
, ,
rar e l y has e xc e ll e d .
In Eng l and if d o ubtl e ss m ain l y fo r t he e d uc ate d c l ass e s

, ,
an aft e rg l o w o f t he c u l tur e d E l iz ab e th an sp l e n d o u r e n d ur e d
t o an d thr o ugh o ut t he p e ri o d o f t he R e st o r at io n It m ay .
b e a me r e c o inci d e nc e but it fade d away with t he ad ve nt

I nIs aa c W at t s s Cr adl e Hymn I r e c o gniz e trac e s o f
’
n a tive inspir ati o n b u t inspirati o n pr e s se d into d o ing suit

,
an d s e r vic e t o r e l igi o us e nthus ia s m
H sh my d ar li s till a d sl mb r
u e , e n u e ,
H o ly ang ls g rd t hy b d e ua e
H av l y bl ssing s wi th t nu m b r
e en e ou e
G ntly falling t hy h ad
e on e .
H w m c h b e tte r t h t a tte nd e d
’
o u ou r
Than t h S f Go d c o ld b e on o u e,
W he n f ro m h av n he d e s c nd e d e e e
And b e c am e a c hild lik th e e e
W a th r n thing b t a m ang r
s e e o u e
C rsed sinne rs c o ld aff rd

u u o ,
T o r c i v t h h av nl y s trang r 7
e e e e e e e
D id the y th s affr nt th ir Lo rd 7 u o e
S ft my c hild I d id o t c hid th
o , n e ee,
T h gh m y s ng might s nd t o hard
ou o ou o
T i t hy m th r s it s b s id t h
’
s o e e e ee,
And h rms shall b t hy gu ard er a e .
Y t t o re ad t h sham f l s t o ry
e e e u ,
H o w t h J ws ab d th ir King
’
e e us e ,
H o w th y s d t he L rd o f G l ry
’
e erv o o ,
Mak s m angry whil I si g

e e e n .
S ee t h l o v l y b ab e a dre ssi g
e e -
n
Lo v ly i fant ho w he mil d
e n , s
’
W h n h we pt t h m th r s b l e ss ing
e e , e o e
’
S o t h d a d hu h d t h ho l y c hild
’ ’
o n s e .
L h sl m b rs i hi m ang r
o, e u e n s e ,
W h r t h h rned o x n f d
e e e o e e
P ac my darling h r
e e, o d ng r e e
’
s n a e ,
H r e x a n
e
’
r t hy b d
s no o -
ea e .
M y st tho l iv t kno w a d f ar him

a
’
u e o n e ,
Tr s t a d l v him all t hy d ay s ;
u n o e
Th n go dw ll f v r n ar him
e e or e e e ,
S hi f ac a d s i g h s p ra s e
41
ee s e, n n i i
U N CLASSE D 3 67
S ke tc he s in bl ac k an d wh ite by She nsto ne in T he S c ho o l

mis tre ss ap pe a l t o o ur s e nse o f t he pictur e sq ue Fo u r .
l in e s in his s o c alle d Le vi t ie s p l u mb d e pths o f hu man

-
sic kne ss at hum ani ty

has t a e l d l if s d ll r und
’ ’
W h
’
oe
e r r v e u o ,
Wh r r his stag s may hav b n

e e e
’
e e ee ,
May si gh t o t hink he s till has f o un d

H i s warm s t w l c o m at a i e e e , n nn .
“2
N o w an d t he n a gust o f pity o r s e l f pity b l o ws rh e t o ric -
a sid e — rh e t o ric sti ll th o ugh o f a n o b l e s o rt a s in L o nd o n

, ,
a n d T he V anity o f Hum an Wish e s F o r an inst ant s o m e .
thi ng true r t ake s it s p l ac e an d Jo hns o n m ar k s with te ars , ,
inste ad o f antith e s e s ,
what ills t he s ch l ar s lif ass il o

’
e a ,
oT il e nvy want t h patro n a d t h ga l

, , ,
e , n e o
43
or ,
m o urning with affe cti o n at e si mpl ici t y al m o st wi t h
, ,
fl
k ind l y e nvy t he o bscur e l y wis e an d c o ars e l y kin d pr actis e r
, ,
in p hy sio he s e e s
L ve t t o t he g rav d s c nd
e e e e ,
O i i o s inn c nt sinc r
c u , o e ,
e e,
Of v e ry f ri ndle ss nam t h f ri nd
e e e e e .
“
Pi e c e s l i ke t he s e ar e inte re sting as p all i ative s o f a

pr e vai l ing ste ril ity in r e spe ct o f Occ asi o n al in s p irati o n
fo r s o m e hundr e d ye ars Othe rs l i ke Mic kle s Cu mn o r ’
.
,
H all ar e e nd e are d by h abi t an d tr ad iti o n m o re th an by

,
intrinsic m e rit B ut fo r a c e ntury afte r t he c l o s e o f t he

.
Eng lis h p o e tic al re n aiss ance t he di stincti o n I h ave d r awn ,
be twe e n p o e try an d wri te rs o f p o e try has l ittle pr actic al

a pp l ic ati o n
. During this te di o us inte r re gnum such ve rs e ,
a s d e s e r ve s t he n a m e o f p o e try w as t he w o r k o f its p o e ts .
Ve ry se l d o m di d t he ph e n o m e n o n o ccur o f a sp ar k o f
ge nui ne inspir ati o n l ighting up o n a p o e t aste r o f a di vine ,
e m o ti o n visiting unc o nse cr ate d l ips an d insisting o n ,

be c o ming vo c al F o r p o sitive p o e tic al insight I d o n o t
.
kno w th at I c o u ld inst anc e m o r e th an a tri o o f l yrics th u s

quali fie d A mbr o s e Phi l ips fo r o nc e c a r o ll e d as a s o ngste r
.
,
o f t he gr o ve fo r its n e st l ings t o his ,
Li ttl g ssi p bli th a d h l

e o , e n a e,
Tattli ng m any a b ro k n t al e e,
S inging m any a t n l ss s g u e e on ,
L vish f h dl ss t o ng
a o a ee e ue ,
S im pl m aid n v id f t
e e o o ar ,
B bb ling t t h v ry h ar t
a ou e e e ,
S l ping waki g s till at as

ee , n , e e,
Pl asing wi tho t skill t pl as

e u o e e .
d t o t hy will
’
Y t b e d a an on ,
Y t im ag ini g
e ill n no ,
Y t t e inn c nt t b l sh
oo o e o u
Lik t h linn t i t h b sh
e e e n e u ,
T t h m th r linn t s n t
’
o e o e -
e o e
M o d li g h sl nd r thro at
u n er e e
C hirping f rth t hy p tty j y s o e o ,
W ant n i t h ch g f t y s ;
o n e an e o o
Lik t h linn t g r n i M ay
e e e ee n
F li tting t ac h b l my sp ray o e oo
W ari d th n a d gl ad f r st
e e e ,
n o e ,
Like t h l inn t i t h n st e e n e e .
45
The n th e r e is He nry Care y s S all y ’
Of all t he g irls that a sm ar t r e so
Th r s n n lik p r tty S ally

e e
’
o e e e
S h i t h d arling f m y h art
e s e o e ,
An d sh li v s i all y
e e n o ur e .
Th r i o l ady i t h l d
e e s n n e an
I half
s sw t a S ally so ee s
S h i t h d rli g f m y h ar t
e s e a n o e ,
And sh liv s i o r ll y e e n u a e .
Of all t h d y s t hat i th w k
’
e a s n e ee
I d arl y l v b t o
e d y o e u ne a
And that t h d y that c m e s b twixt

’
s e a o e
A S at rd ay an d Mo nd ay
u
inspi ratio n— the n— ye ars o f s anity but uni nspir e d— n o t , to
d ie but l i ve e ve n sing o r f e ign t o sing
‘
, ,
How c am e i t y o u e u e t he rs m v o id an d nu ll ,
S u b s id e to i n sign ifi c an c e 7 4“
C o nve nti o n al is m had all but sti fle d t he l ife o f Occ asio n al

Ve rs e an d w as th re ate ning t he m ain c u rr e nt o f n ati o n al
,
p o e tic s e ns ibi l ity wh e n a t e mp e r o f re be llio us n e ss m ani

,
fe st e d i ts e l f T he m al c o nt e nts l o o ke d at o nc e b a c k an d
.
f o rw ard s Th o m as W arto n an d sti ll m o r e p ractic ally

.
, , ,
Bish o p Pe rcy had t he c o ur ag e t o re mind o f t he o ld p o pul ar

,
minstre l sy The y ch alle nge d c ntinuing l ife a twi l ight

. o —
l ife p e rh aps— fo r it in re n o v atio ns o f di ve rs fin e fr agm e nts

,
.
Co ll ins Gr ay an d Co w pe r th re w d o wn t he g aunt l e t t o
, ,
t he sch o o l o f Po p e Much m o r e re vo l uti o n ary e l e m e nts

.
we re s o o n t o b e at w o rk A fre sh l ite r ary re n aiss ance g ave .
Sc o tl an d B urns In Eng l and it w as p re p aring fo r t he

.
a d ve nt o f W o r d s w o rth Co l e ri dge Sc o tt B yro n She lle y , , , , ,
an d K e ats Po e try whe n thus it r o us e d its e l f fr o m its

.
,
t o rp o r t o war d s t he o p e ning o f t he nin e te e nth c e ntury ,
wo ke into a n e w wo r ld Mo ve m e nt w as in it with a s e ns e .
,
o f a b un d anc e o f air T he p o e tic atm o sph e r e l o ng sinc e

.
,
burnt up w as fe l t t o h ave be e n re ne we d fo r re a d e rs as
fl
, ,
we ll as auth o rs On b o th si de s o f t he T we e d o n e ch ar ac
.
t e r ist i c o f t he re vi va l w as t he s a m e as had di sting u ish e d

t he E l iz ab e th an Tru e an d de l ightfu l p o e try w o u ld n o w
.
an d ag ain o w f ro m t he p e ns o f writ e rs h ard l y t o b e
d e sc ri be d as p o e ts T he f act in Sc o t l and is l e ss surp rising

. .
The r e t he p o e tic spirit w ith o r w ith o ut p o e ts had n e ve r , ,
c e as e d t o stir if int e rmitt e nt l y i n t he indig e n o us mi nstr e l sy

, ,
which r e m in de d B u rns th at he t o o might b e inspir e d .
N o w n o l o nge r with t he o r igin al grim an d tr agic acc e nt

, ,
tho ugh s o me time s with t he o ld si mp l e c are l e ssne ss o f fa m e ,

UN CLASSED 37 1
many sudde n m e l o d y wi ll b e fo un d t o h ave spr ung up

a ,
l i ke a r ar e flo we r in t he w aste .
Ve rs e the re w as tho u gh o f r e al me rit with n o d istinct l y

, ,
in dige n o us pr o pe rti e s ; s u ch as Lo gan s w e l c o me t o t he ’
Cuc k o o whi c h w arm e d t he he art o f Ed m u n d B u rk e

,
H il b t o u s stra g r o f t he g ro ve
a , e au e n e
Th m ss ng r f sp rin g
ou e e e o
N w h av n re p airs t hy r r l s e at
o e e u a ,
And w ds t hy w l c o m si g
oo e e n .
S w t bird t hy b w r i s e v r g r n
ee , o e e ee
T hy k y i v r c l ar
s s e e e .
Th h t o s o rr w i t hy s g
ou as n o n on
N wint r i t hy y r
o e n ea
4“
B ut in o the r s o m e wh at l ate r l yrics o f t he e ight e e nth

, ,
nin e te e nth c e ntury t he Spirit o f t he o ld mi nstr e l sy in its

, ,
s ad ,
if s o fte n e d an d m o r e t e nd e r t o n e s is c l e arl y au d ible ,
.
It br e athe s in t he l a m e nt fo r F l o d d e n
We ll he ar ae m air lil ting at o u r e w e milking
’
n -
,
W o me n an d b airns ar e he ar tl e ss a d w ae ; n
S ighing an d m o aning o ilk a g re e n l o an in g n .
T he F l o we rs o f t he F o re s t ar e a w e d aw ae ;
’
5“
e
in music al w ai l s o f l o nging re gr e t fo r Pri nc e Ch arl ie an d

in rustic m e l anch o l y as o f Aul d R o bin Gr ay ,
51
p assing ,
n ow int o an inte rj e cti o n o f pr o te st ag ainst m an s lo t o n

,
’
e a rt h
Wha ll b y my c all r h rrin 7

’
u e e
’
Y m ay a th m v l g r f i i
’ ’
e c e u a a r n
Wiv s a d m ith rs m is t d pai in

e n e , a es r
’
,
Ca t h m li v s me n ;
’ ’ 52
e e 0
fare we ll to E arth me rging in a visi o n
I m
’
w aring awa J a e
’
, e n,
Lik e snaw wr aths i thaw J an -

e n , e ,
A a 2
I m we ari g aw a
’
n
’
T t h l and t h l al
’
o e 0 e e .
Th r ae s rr w th r J a
e
’
s n e o o e e, e n ,
Th r s n i th r c a ld
e e
’
c ar J e an
e e u nor e, .
T h d ay i s ay f air
e e
I t h l and t he l al 53
’
n e 0 e .
A lth o ugh n o t t he e qu al o f such str ains an o th e r pl aintive , ,
Sc o ttish Occ asi o n al lay — a cry o f e xi le s in Can ad a fo r the i r

ol d l o ve d h o me app e ars t o me n o t al to ge th e r unwo rthy o f
—
a ss o c i ati o n w i th th e m
List t m a wh n y h ard
en o e, f ath r
s e ou e o ur e
S ing l ng g t he s ng o f th r sh r s
o a o o o e o e
Li te t o m a d th n i c h ru s g ath r
s n e, n e n o e
Al l y r d p v o i c s as y o u p u ll y o u r c a s
ou ee e ,
r
F r m t h l n shi li g o f t h misty isl and

o e o e e n e
M ntains divid s a d t he was te o f s as

ou e u , n e
e Y t s t ill t h b l o o d i s tr o ng t he h ar t i H i g hl nd
e s , e s a ,
And w e i dr ams b e ho ld t he H e b rid e s

n e
W e ne r shall t r ad t h f ancy ha nte d v all y

’
e e e - u e ,
W he re tw t h dark hills c re e p s t he small cl ar s tre am

’
een e e ,
n I arms ar u nd t h p at ri ar c hal b anne r rally

o e ,
No ee t he m o o n o
r s r o yal to m b sto ne s gle am n .
Wh n t h b o ld kindre d i t he tim l o ng vanished

e e n e
Co nq re d t h s il a d f rtifi d t h k e p
ue e o , n o e e e ,
N O s e e r f o r t ld t h c hi ldr n w o ld b b a i shed
e o e e u e n ,
That a d ge n rate l o rd might b ast hi s she p

e e o e .
o C m f o re i gn rag — le t Disc o rd bu rs t in slau ghte r

e e
0 t he n fo c l ansme n t r e a d s te m c l aym o re
r u , n
T h he ar t s that w o u ld hav g iv n the ir b l o o d lik e wate r

e e e ,
B e at he avily b y nd t h At lanti c ro ar e o e .
Fair the se b ro ad me ads the se ho ary wo o ds ar e g rand ,
B t w e a e e xil e s f r o m o u f athe rs l an d 54
’
u r r .
Eng l ish write rs w ho if b o rn t we nty ye ars e arl ie r might

, , ,
e e a i mi a e e —
n v r h ve affe cte d t o b e p o e ts s l rl y yi ld d fo r t u ,
which w as jo y I am o n l y afr aid he w o u ld h ave miss e d
.
t he t e nd e r hum o ur in t he s o rr o w
My s p rightly ne ighb o u r ! g o n e b e fo re
T o t hat u nkno wn an d sil e n t sho re ,
S hall w e n o t m e e t as he re t o f o re , ,
S o m e su mm e r m o rning ,
W he n f r o m t hy che e rf u l e y e s a r ay
H ath s tru ck a b liss u p o n t he d ay ,
A blis s that wo u ld n o t go away .
A swe e t f o re warni ng 7 56
Ag ain ,
ho w t he qu ive rs w ith gh o st l y sighs as we re ad
air
I hav e had p l ay m ate s I hav had c m p anio ns , e o ,
I m y d y s o f c hild h o d i m y j yf l s ch l d ay s
n a o , n o u oo -
All all a g o n t he ld f amiliar f ac s

, re e, O e .
I hav b e e n l a g hing I hav e b n c aro sing

e u , ee u ,
D rin king l ate si tting l ate wi th my b s m c ro nie s

, , o o
All all a g n t he ld f mili ar f ac e s

,
re o e, o a .
I l o v d a l v e o nc f air s t am o ng w o m n
e o e, e e
C l se d a h d o rs o m I m st t e h r
o re er o n e, u no se e
All all a e g o ne t he o ld f am iliar f ac s

,
r , e .
I hav a f ri nd a kind e r f ri e nd ha
e e o ma , s n n
Lik a ing rate I l ft my f ri nd ab r ptly

e n e e u
L ft him t o m se o t h o ld f amiliar f ac e s
e ,
u n e .
G ho stlik e I p ac e d r o nd t he haunt s o f m y child ho o d u ,
E ar th s m d a d e s r t I was b o nd t o t r av rs
ee e e u e e,
S e king t o fi d t h o ld f amili r f ac e s
e n e a .
F ri nd o f m y b so m th u mr th n a b r th r
e o , o o e a o e ,
W hy w r t t th u b o rn i m y f ath r s dw lli g 7
’
e no o n e e n
S mig ht w t alk f t he ld f amili ar f c s

o e o o a e
H o w s m th y hav di d a d s m th y ha
o e e v l e ft m e e , n o e e e e,
A d so m an tak n f ro m m all a e d p art d

e re e e r e e
All all a g n t he ld f miliar f ac s

,
re o e, o a e .
57
Pro ximi t y t o ve rs e l i ke this pr o vo ke s d ange ro us c o m

p aris o ns fo r an y o n e Ce rtain l y Jam e s Mo ntgo m e ry— wh o se
.
UN CLASSED 37 5
W o rld Be fo r e t he Fl o o d Gr e e nl and an d Pe l ic an Is l and

.
, , ,
I re ad in bo yh o o d I c o nfe ss with ad mir ati o n c ann o t o fte n

,
—
,
s t and it Y e t Lamb himse l f w o u ld n o t h ave sc o rn e d t he

.
m e l anch o l y gr ac e o f a Fall ing Le af
fl
W r I a tr mb lin g l af
e e e e
O y nd r s t ate ly t r
n o e ee,
Aft r a s aso n gay a d b ri f

e e n e ,
C d m d t o f ad a d
’
on e n e n ee
I s ho ld b l t h t f ll
u e o o a
B sid t h c o mm n w ay
e e e o ,
W l t ri g i mir a d p n d by all
e e n n e, n s ur
’
Till tr dd n d o wn t cl ay
o e o .
N o w u ld I lik t o s p r ad
r o e e
My thin a d wi th r d f ac n e e e
I ho t
n si cc s p al an d d ad
r us u , e e ,
A m mm y f m y r ac e
u o .
No — t h wing s f ai
on e o r
Mi g ht I b l e ft t fl y e o ,
I kn w o t a d I h d no t w he r n ee no e,
A waif o f e arth a d k y n s
W h that hath v r b e e n
o e e ,
C l d b ar t o b
ou mo r 7
e e no e
Y t who w o ld t r ad ag in t h s c n
e u e a e e e
H t r d thr o g h li f b f re 7
e o u e e o
O n wi th inte ns d sir
,
e e e,
M n s spiri t will m o v
a
’
e on
I t s e e ms t d i y t lik e h av n s fi
’
o e , e ,
e e re ,
It i ot q
s n nche d b u t g o ne
ue , .
58
Sti ll l e ss wo ul d E l i a have di s d aine d c o mp anio nship with

an Eng l is h if a humb l e r
,
B u rns I am al m o st afr ai d t o
, .
pr ais e j u st l y t he D o rs e ts hi r e p o e t s T he Wife a l o st l e st ’
-
,
it sh o uld b e t he br o a d s we e t D o ric which has r o c ke d t he

critic al facu l ty as le e p
fl
Sinc e I noo mwo r e d o yo r fe zee u ac e ,
U p ste air s , or d o wn b e l o w ,
I ll z i t m e i n t he lwo n e so m e ple ac e ,
’
W r b c
’
he e at -b o u gh d e e h d o gr w o
B l o w t h b ch s b gh my l o v
e e ee e
’
ou , e,
W h r y d id n v r c o m
e e ou e e e,
An I d n t l o k t o m t y o w
’
o
’
o ee e n ,
As I d o l o k at hwo m o e .
S inc y o e mw b e at m y z id
u noo o re e,
I w alks i s mm e r h t
n n u e ,
’
I ll g lw o wh r mist d rid
oo a ne e e o e,
D o gh t r s a d ip pe w t
r u ee -
r n e
B l w t he ai w t b o u gh my l o v
e o r n o
e , e,
W h re y o di d n v r c m
e u e e o e,
An I do n t g ri v t o miss y o w
’ ’
e e e n ,
As I d g ri v at hwo m o e e e .
S inc e I do miss y o r u
‘’
v ar c e an
’
fe ac e
In pr aye r at v ntid e e e,
’
I ll p r aj
’
vai e e v o g e ace
r i n w o o n e s ad r r ,
T o go o w r b id e
he e y o u d o
Ab o ve t he tre e an b o gh m y l o ve ’
u , ,
W he re y o u b e g o ne avo r e,
An b e a w ai ten v o r m e o w
’
-
n ,
c o me v o r e v e r mw o r e
59
To . .
I h ave he sit at e d w h e the r t o l e av e am o ng t he Unc l ass e d

Th o m as Lo ve ll B e dd o e s H appi l y fo r t he cr e d it o f lit e r atur e
.
t he t hink e r o f D e ath s Je st B o o k has alw ays b e e n ap p r e

’
-
c iat e d,
th o ugh t he r e is iro ny in t he ad mi r ati o n c o nfine d as ,
it is t o a minu t e circl e o f stu d e nts R e ad e rs in g e n e r al sti ll .
ar e n o t li k e l y t o try t o s o l v e a s e ri e s o f pr o b l e ms th e r e se t ,
an d c o m m o n l y mu ch k n o tti e r e v e n th an th at gr an d an d
pr o f o u n d Dirge
T o -d ay i stho u ght a f e ar i s t o m o rro w
a ,
-
,
And ye ste rday i s o u r s i a d o u r s o rro w n n

R av e lsto n , R av e lst o n ,
T hestil b n ath t h tr e e e e ee,
T h m aid that k pt h m th r s ki
’
e e er o e ne,
T h s ng that s a g he
e o n s 1
She s a g he s ng she k pt h kin

n r o , e er e,
Sh sat b ne ath t he th rn
e e o
W h n Andr w K ith o f R av l t
e e e e s on
R o d thro t h M nd ay m o rn
e
’
e o ,
nchm n s ing hi hawk b lls ri g

H i s he e , s -
e n ,
H i b l te d j w ls shin
s e e e e
Oh K e i th o f R
,
l t av e s o n ,
T h s o rro ws o f t hy lin
e e
Y e ar afte r y e ar
whe re Andre w c am , e,
C m s v ning d wn t h glad
o e e e o e e,
And stil l th r Si ts m o o nshin g h st

e e a e o
W he re sat t h s nshin m aid e u e .
Her misty hair i faint a d f ir s n a ,
S h k p s t h shad o wy kin
e ee e e
Oh K i th f R a l t
,
e o ve s on ,
T he s o rro ws o f t hy line
I lay m y hand p n t h stil u o e e,
T he stil i l n a d c ld e s o e n o ,
T h b rni t hat g o s b abb li g by

e u e e n
S ay s n ght that c a b to ld
ou n e .
Yet,stra g r h r f r m y ar t y ar
n e e e, o e o e ,
Sh k p s h r s h d wy ki
e ee e a o ne
Oh K i t h f R a l t
,
e o ve s o n ,
T he s rro ws f t hy lin
o o e
Ste p thre e s te p s wh re A dre w st o o d

out ,
e n
W hy b l anc h t hy c he e ks fo f e ar 7 r
T he anc i e nt s til i s n o t al o e ne,
T i s o t t h b u rn I he ar
’
n e
U N CLASSED 3 79
S hem k s h imm m o ri l m
a e er e a o an ,
S he k p s h shad wy kin
ee er o e
Oh K i th o f R av l t o
, e e s n ,
T he s rr ws f t hy l in
o o o e
“2
B y thi s tim e al m o s t unc o nsci o us l y I h ave ad vanc e d far

, ,
int o t he nin e t e e nth c e ntu ry B u t I h ave p ass e d o ve r m any

.
d istingui she d n a m e s s o m e in th e ir d ay e ve n fa m o us an d ,
a fe w sti ll . T he r o ll w o ul d b e l e ngt hy w e r e it c o nfin e d

strictl y t o t he c e ntury an d it has t o c o mp ris e h al f a d o z e n
o r m o r e b o rn in t he pr e vi o us o n e I n o t e Ch arl e s D ib d in .
,
auth o r o f T o m B o wl ing an d m u ch o f m arin e r e n o w n b e

,
si de s ; R e gin ald H e b e r o f P al e stin e an d o n e i m m o rt al

, ,
hymn Jo ann a B ai lli e o f dr am as o nc e i ll ustri o u s Kir k e

,
Whit e fo r hi s fa m e h appy in an e ar l y d e ath ; Jo hn

, ,
Wi l s o n o f t he Isl e o f Pal ms an d arbite r o f lit e r at u r e

, ,
as Chr i st o phe r N o rth R o b e rt P o ll o k with t he s e ve r e ,
an d s e ri o u s Co u rs e o f Ti m e ; J o hn C l ar e with P o e ms o f ,
R ur al Life an d R o b e rt Bl o o mfi e ld o f t he Farm e r s B o y
, ,
’
,
t win Victi m s o f a p o e tic g e rm n e v e r matu r e d ; Bryan

a e r —
W ll r Pro cte r B ar y Co r nwa l b e st r e m e mb e r e d fo r
l
br e e zy s o ngs ; A l ari c W atts with Lyrics o f t he He art ; ,
Jo hn Mo u l tri e o f My B r o the r s Gr ave an d G o diva ; Sir

,
’
Th o m as N o o n T alfo u r d o f I o n ; Charl e s W e ll s w h o s e
, ,
d r a m a J o s e ph an d hi s B r e thr e n w as disc o ve r e d thr e e

, ,
ye ars b e fo r e his d e ath by S winbur ne ; W L B o wl e s . .

,
w h o s e S o nn e ts Co l e ridge in his sch o o l d ays as he , ,
c o u l d n o t affo r d t o b u y c o pi e d o u t ; A ll an Cu nningh am
, ,
singe r o f
A we t she e t an d a flo wi n g se a
h pl ss L E
a e . . a d m i r e d o f dr awing r o o ms fo r T he
t he -
Impr o vis atric e Mrs B ar b au ld w h o s e Li fe it was tho ught

.
,
must e ve r b e r e m e mb e r e d
Lif w v b e e n l ng t o g the r
e e
’
e o e ,
Thr gh p l a ant a d thro u gh c l

ou e dy we ath r
s n ou e
T i hard t o p art wh n fri nds a de ar

’
s e e re
P rhaps twill c o st a sigh a te ar

e
’
,
Th n st al away g iv littl warning

e e ,
e e ,
C ho se thin wn t im o e o e,
S y n t G o d night
a o b t i s o m b ri ght r c lim
o -
u n e e e
B id m Go o d m o rning e - “3
F e li cia He m ans w ho s e Ho m e s o f Engl an d an d G r ave s o f

,
a H o us e h o ld n o t withst and i ng all the i r h o n e ye d s we e tn e ss

, ,
will n o t b e fo rg o tt e n He nry St e bbing with po e try as in , ,
Je sus an d A Lo ng R ai lway Jo u rne y ch ar acte riz e d if a so n , ,
m ay t e stify by m e l o d y an d hi gh tho ught

,
“4
Ar chbish o p
Tre nch o f a rich f ancy as d ispl aye d in ve rs e li ke Ju stin
, ,
Martyr an d t he b all ad o f H ar m o san E mi l y Bro nt e— o n e -
o f an e xtr ao r d in ary tri o o f sist e r s — o u w h o s e v e rs e inspir a
ti o n s e e ms — as in T he Visio n ary— always t o b e w aiting t o

d e sce n d ; Ay t o u n c hr o ni c ling with pictur e squ e s o l e mnity
,
t he B u ri al M arch o f Dun d e e an d t he Ex e cuti o n o f M o ntro s e

Lo rd Lytto n tho u gh d r a m atist r athe r th an po e t an d hi s
, ,
so n, E ar l o f Lytto n autho r o f F ab l e s in S o ng an d King

,
Po ppy Mrs N o rt o n sc arc e l y l e ss b ri lliant with he r pe n

.
,
a s in The L a d y o f La G ar aye — th an s o ci all y t he t w o

d e Ve r e s Si r A u br e y an d A u b re y Th o m as b o th r o m antic
, ,
spirits c o n t e nt t o h ave b e e n b o rn t o o lat e o r t o o e ar l y ;

, ,
Ho rn e fl ing ing his Or io n at an u nr e gar d ing p u bl ic R o be r t

,
B u chan an wh o s e Lo n d o n P o e m s an d B al d e r t he Be autifu l
,
S ho w p o e tic i nsight ; P hi l ip Ja m e s B ai l e y w ith Fe stu s , ,
a p o we rf u l c o nc e pti o n su ff o c at e d by sti ll b o rn acc r e t io ns ;
A l e xan d e r Smith w ith p o pul arity o f t he Jo n ab g o u rd

,
-
k in d t he br o th e rs Fr e d e ric k T e nnys o n o f D ays an d

, ,
H o urs an d Ch ar l e s T e nnys o n T u rn e r o f t he S o nn e ts e ach

, , ,
r e c o gniz e d bu t n o t a s y e t j u stl y appr e ci ated Wi ll i am

,
A ll ingh am p o ss e ss e d o f a d e l ic ate to u ch fo r a b all ad o r st o ry

, ,
Tr e asury o f S o ngs an d Si r Arth r Q i ll r C o uch s Oxf o r d
,
u u e -
’
B o o k o f Engl ish Ve rs e — e a ch ad mi rab l e S o m e tim e s t he .
vo l ume s h ave br o ught o n e o r an o the r l yr ic fo r t he fir st tim e

t o my n o tic e Oft e n the y have re c alle d e xce ll e nc e t o m y
.
r e co lle cti o n an d r e fle cti o n

, .
A ll stu de nts b o t h p ast an d p re s e nt o f p o e try wi ll agr e e

, ,
th at t he r ight t o t he tit l e o f p o e t an d p o e try d e p e n d s

o n t he p o ss e ss io n by t he c andid ate s o f inspir ati o n On l y .
,
t he st an d ar d fo r th at 7 N at u r all y it is a pr o p e rty which

e asi l y e vad e s o r di n a ry an al ysis fo r g e n e r al u se In t he .
first pl ac e it is wo nd e rf u l ho w g o o d m ay b e ve rs e with
,
o u t b e in g inspir e d ho w sinc e r e l y o n e ge ne r ati o n m ay an d ,
an o th e r f ai l t o r e c o gniz e its pr e s e nc e A w r it e r m ay him

, .
s e l f c o nsci e ntio u s l y be l i e ve in it s d e sc e nt up o n his s o u l ,
e t b e un ab l e t o in f u s e it int o his l in e s A m o ng t he
y .
vari o us circ u mst anc e s o r acci d e nts m ay b e fo un d an , ,
e xp l an at i o n o f a c o m m o n l it e r a ry ph e n o m e n o n It is t he .
fr e que nt he a d ing o f ch apte rs w ith l in e s n o t in t he l e ast

p o e try an d the ir i mp o rt atio n in t o t he t e xt o f int e ll ige nt
,
pr o s e B e yo n d d o u bt it is o n e o f t he r e as o ns why true
.
p o e ts m ake b ad j u dge s o f t he m e rits o f t he ir o wn wo r k .
A l s o fr o m this o n t he o th e r h and? an d fr o m an al o go u s
, ,
c au s e s a de ni al o f inspir ati o n t o p articu l ar pi e c e s is o p e n

,
a l m o st t o a s m u ch qu e sti o n ing A l ate r ge ne ratio n may

.
p o ssib l y r e h abi l it at e as p o e ts n o t a fe w d e ad n in e te e nth

c e ntury c e l e briti e s Me anwhi l e I r e j o ic e t o thin k p o e m s
.
, ,
a t all e v e nts in f a ir n u mb e rs h ave s u rvive d t he l ast c e ntury

, ,
an d s u rvive sti ll .
T hu s th o ugh t he p e rm an e nt p l ace o f Christin a R o ss e tti

,
— D ant e G abrie l s sist e r— is n o t e t d e ci d e d l ist e n t o Ech o

’
y ,
an d w e m a
y b e s ur e it w i ll b e h o n o ur a b l e
C o m t o m i t h sil nc e f t h nig ht
e e n e e o e
C m i t he spe aking sil nc e o f a dre am

o e n e
U N CLASSED 3 83
C o m e wi th s o ft ro nd d c he e ks an d e y e s as b ri g ht
u e
As sun li g ht o a s tre am n
C o me b ac k i te ars n ,
0 me m o ry ho p e l o v e o f fi n ishe d y e ars
, ,
.
“7
Po n de r t he c o ld c al m bitte r s we e t o f
,
-
W h n I am d e ad m y d e are st
e , ,
S ing o sad s o ng s fo men r
Pl ant tho u o r o se s at my he ad n ,
N o s had y cyp r ss t re
r e e.
B e t h g r e n g rass ab o v m
e e e e
Wi th Sh we rs an d d wdr p s w t o e o e
A d if t ho u wil t r m e m b e r
n , e ,
An d if t h u wil t f rg t o , o e .
I s hall o t se e t h s had o ws
n e ,
I S hall o t f l t he r ain n ee
I hall o t h a r t he nig hting al

s n e e
Si g a s if i
n p ain on , n
A d dr ami g t hro u g h t h twili g ht

n e n e
That d o th t ri e o se t no s n r ,
H aply I m ay r e me m b e r ,
And haply m ay f o rg e t .
“8
R e ad fu rthe r ; an d an inclin ati o n t o fix f o rthwith

w rite r s r an k wi ll h ave gr o wn
’
D o e s t he ro ad wind phill all t he w ay 7 u
Ye s, t o t he v e ry e n d .
Will t h day s j o u rne y tak e t he who l e l o ng d ay 7

e
’
F ro m m o rn t o night my frie nd , .
B u t i s the r e fo r t he ig ht a r e s t in g pl ac e 7 n -
A ro o f fo r whe n t he sl w d ark ho u rs b e gin o , .
M ay o t t h d arkne ss hid i t f ro m m y f ac e 7
n e e
Y o c anno t miss that i

u nn .
S hall I m e t o the r wayfar rs at ni ght 7

e e
T ho se who have g o ne b e fo re .
Th m st I kno ck o r c all whe n j u st in sight 7

en u ,
T h y will n o t ke e p y o u standing at that d o o r

e .
S hall I fi d c o mf o rt trave l so re an d we ak 7
n ,
-
Of l ab o u r y o u Shall find t he su m .
Will the r b b e ds fo r m e an d all who se k 7

e e e
Y e a b e ds fo all w ho c o m e
,
r .
“9
Pat h o s p e rhaps an d p atho s is insidi o u s Y e t t he r e is .
p at h o s whi ch is j u st t he b l o o m u p o n str e ngth— a p atho s

o t he r th an L e titi a B ar b au ld s th o ugh she wr o t e L ife th an ’
Fe l ici a H e m an s s th o u gh she wr o t e Gr ave s o f a H o u s e h o l d

’
, ,
a p ath o s ak in t o W o r d s w o rth s whe n he s ang o f Lucy ’
I S t hi s Christ in a R o ss e tti s ?
’
S o m e ti m e s wh e n t he inspir atio n is far fr o m t he r u l e w e

, ,
w o n de r why it wa it e d o n this o r th at p ar ticul ar p ie c e ho w ,
fr o m t he pi l e o f W hitt ie r s we ll inte nti o n e d t u n e ful st a r ’

-
, ,
l e ss ve rs e l e aps f o rth J o hn B right s fav o urite S k ipp e r ’

,
I r e so n s awak ing t o r e m o rs e fo r t he d e s e rti o n o f his

’
br o the r fish e rm e n in a t e mp e st !
H e ar m e ne ighb o u rs at l ast he c ri d
,
e ,
What t o me i s this no isy rid e 7

W hat i s t he shame that cl o the s t he skin
T o t he nam e l e ss ho rro r that l iv s wi thin 7 e
W aking o r sle e pin g I se e a wre ck , ,
And he ar a c ry f ro m a ree lin g d e ck

H at m a d c u rse me — I o nl y dre ad
e e n ,
T h hand o f G o d a d t he f ac e o f t he d e ad
e n
S aid F l d Oi so f hi ho d ho r r t
u r n ,
ur s rr ,
’ ’ ’ ’ ’
To rr d an fu t he r r d an co r r d in a co r r t
B y t h w me n M o b l ad
e o 0
’
r e
’
e
7°
T he o d e ag ain t o a W at e rf o wl— w as it b o rn in B ryant s

’
, ,
c ap ab l e so u l o r di d it fl o at t o hi s p e n fr o m t he air aro un d
, ,
a s far o n hi g h t he bir d t o hi s sight 7

, ,
W hith r midst f alli g d w

e ,
’
n e
W hil gl w t h h av s wi th t he l as t s te p s f d ay
e o e e en o ,
F thr gh th ir r o sy d pths d o s t tho u p rs

ar ou e e u ue
T hy !s o li tary w ay 7
Y e t why ho u s ld h who shri ki g g o e e n es
Wi t mi li ns f r m a w rld f w s
h l o , o o o oe ,
R unio n s k wi th i t o tho s 7
e ee r e
Al n wi th G o d wh re wi d b l w
o e , e no n o s,
A d D th hi shad w— d m d h g
’
n ea , s o oo , e oes
That G d i th r t h sh d o w sh w
o s e e e a o s.
Oh Sho r l ss D p wh re o wind b l w
, e e ee , e n o s
A d th
n o h Land w hi c h n
ou, ,
kno ws o one
T h t Go d i All H i Sh d w sh w
a s , s a o o s .
72
Eve ry r e ad e r o f The L ays o f Anci e nt R o m e m u st fe e l

th at Mac au l ay l o nge d t o b e a p o e t Y e t th o s e r u shing .
chr o nic l e s o f his whi l e the y p o ss e ss a ho s t o f o the r m e rits

, ,
h ave n o t t he o n e he c o ve t e d mo st It is t he m o r e gr aci o u s .
o f t he M u s e t o h ave o nc e piti e d an d r e w a rd e d t he w o rship ,
l e arning an d ye arni ng with a ch ange o f w at e r into win e

, ,
o f s o n o r o u s r h e t o r i c in t o h aun t ing p o e try Th at ch ar act e r .
c ann o t b e d e ni e d t o t he pictu r e o f f al s e S e xtu s at t he ‘
B attl e o f L ak e R e gillu s :
M en s id h saw s tr g visi
a e an e on s
W hi c h n n b sid might o e e e se e ,
A d that s t r ng s nds w r i hi
n a ar e ou e e n s e s,
W hi ch n mi ght h r b t h one ea u e .
A w m an f ir d stat ly
o a an e ,
B t p lu a t h d ad
a e as re e e ,
Oft thr g h t h w tc h f th i g ht ’
ou e a es o e n
S t p i i g b y hi b d
a e s nn n s e .
A d n h p li d t h d i t ff
as s e e e s a ,
I sw t v ic
n a d l w
ee o e an o ,
S h s g f g r t o ld h s s
e an o ea ou e ,
A d fig ht s f g ht l
n g g ou on a o
fl
.
S p
o s h a d
un s g h
e, n s o s an s e ,
U til t h ast w g ray

n e e as ,
T h p i t d t h b l di ng b r t
en o n e o er ee e as
A d hri k d :a d
n s d aw y
e e , n e a .
73
UN CLASSED 3 87
E ngl ish l ite rary his t o ry c o n t ai ns a fe w c as e s in w hich

a c o nsid e r ab l e mind has b e c o m e inspir e d an d b e e n c o n t e nt ,
wi th t he sin g l e e ffo rt So it w a s w ith Sp anis h Bl anc o W hi t e

.
in t he a d dre ss t o N ight a thin g o f tr u e p e nsive dignity , , ,
tho u gh o ve rpr ais e d by n o l e ss than in his m atur ity Co l e , ,
r idg e as t he fin e st an d m o st gran dl y c o nc e ive d s o nn e t in

o ur lan gu age
My ste ri s N ig ht wh n
ou fi rst p ar nt kn w e o ur e e
Th f ro m r p o r t divi e a d h ard t hy nam

ee e n , n e e,
D id h o t t re m b l fo
e n this l o v ly f ram e r e e,
This gl ri s c an py f light a d b l 7
o ou o o n ue
Y t ne ath a c rt ain o f transl c nt d e w

’
e u u e ,
B athe d i t he r ay s f t h g r t s tting flame

n o e ea e ,
H spe r s wi th t h h st o f H v n c am
e u e o ea e e
And 1 C r ati n wid n d i m an s i w

0 e o e e n
’
V e
W h o c o l d hav th ght s c h d ark ss lay c o nc e al d

u e ou u ne e
Wi thin t hy b ams 0 S
_
w ho c
e ld find ,
un or ou ,
W hilst fly a d l f d i s ct st d e l d
, n ea ,
an n e oo r ev a
’
,
Th t t o s c h c ntl s Orb s th u m ad st s b lind 7

a u ou es o u
W hy d o w the n sh n D ath wi th a xi s s trif

e, , u e n ou e 7
I f Li ght th s d c iv w h r f r
c an t Li f
u e e e, e e o e no e 7 74
A m o r e o r di n ary e xp e ri e nc e is fo r a s u bj e ct o f in spir ati o n

t o r e l ax t he spiritu al t e nsi o n w hich pr o d u c e d it th an t o
sto p ve rsifying P r ae d s f ancy c o nc e ive d in t he R e d
.
’
Fishe rm an m u ch m o r e th an a happy je u d e sprit It is ’

.
a fi n e s t r ain in w hi ch S at an is d e scrib e d as ang li ng wi t h

,
b ait o f St at e intrigu e s fo r a s ain tly Chu rchm an T he .
br illiant write r o f ve rs d e s o ci été m ight have d e ve lo p e d

i n t o a t r u e p o e t had t he n e xt twe l ve ye ars o f his
s ho r t l ife n o t b e e n w aste d u p o n Par li am e n t T ho u gh .
he v e r sifi e d sti ll he c arri e d t he ho o k o f p o l i t ics t o his

,
gr ave
T h r w a t u rnin g f k y s a d c r ki g f l ck
e e s o e ,
n ea n o o s.
As h st lk d aw y wi th hi ir n b x
e a e a s o o .
B b z
Oho Oho
T he c o c k d o th c r o w
I t i s t im e fo r t he F ishe r t o ris e an d go .
F air l c k t o t he Abb o t fair lu c k t o t he shrine

u ,
H hath gnaw e d i n t wain m y c ho i c e s t li e

e n
Le t hi m swim t o t he no r th le t him swim t o t he s u th , o
T he A bb o t will c arry m y ho o k i hi s m o u th n 75
H artl e y Co l e ri dg e with a true p o e tic instinct had al s o

, , ,
a s it w e r e ,
a m o rtg ag e d inh e rit anc e t o r e d e e m B u t fo r .
l ac k o f wi ll he had e ar an d im agin ati o n t o b e c o m e wh at

,
m e t aphysic al the o l o gy had ind u c e d his m arve ll o us f ath e r

t o c e as e t o b e . As it is it m ay b e ho p e d that he will b e
,
r e m e mb e r e d fo r mo r e than o n e o r t w o ch arm ing s o ngs

She i s t f air t o o u tward vi e w
no
AS m any m aid e ns b e
,
.
H e r l o v e lin e ss I ne v e r kne w
Until she smil d o n m e ’
Oh the I s aw he e y e w as b ri g ht
n r ,
A we ll o f l o v e a spring o f l ig ht
, .
B u t n o w he r l o o ks a c o y a d c o ld re n ,
T o m ine the y ne e r r p l y
’
e ,
A d y e t I c ase n o t t o b e ho ld
n e
T he l o v e li g ht i n he r e y e
-
H e r v e ry f ro wns a e f ai r e r far r ,
Than smil e s o f o the r m aid e ns a re .

75
I Sh o ul d gri e ve t o thi n k th at n o thi ng e l se is l e ft fr o m

t he w o r k o f t he g e n e r o u s s o u l o f Mo nc kt o n Mi ln e s ; but
_
-
a sh ad o w m ust r e m ain
T he y s e e me d t o tho se w ho saw the m m e e t

T he w o rldl y f ri e nds o f e v e ry d ay
H e r smil e w as u ndistu rb e d a d swe e t n ,
H i s c o u rte sy w as f re e a d gay n .
B u t y e t if o n e t he o the r s nam e
’
I s o m e u ngu ard e d m o me nt he ard

n ,
T he he ar t y o tho u ght s o c alm a d t am

u n e,
W o u ld stru ggl lik e a c apt iv bird

e e
Fro m y o r c l o ve rs lift t he he ad
u
C o me u pp e J e tty f o llo w fo ll o w , , ,
J e tty t o t he milkin g she d

, .
” 7“
Po e try is n o t always s e ri o u s It c an pl ay D u ring t he . .
n in e t e e nth c e nt u ry as e ar l i e r it w as u s e d fo r p o l itic al s atir e

, ,
an d p astim e — fr e qu e nt l y by w rit e rs o f dis tin cti o n in o th e r
fi e l ds E ar l y e x amp le s ar e Cl assic Canning s Fri e n d o f

.
’
Hu manity which o nc e an y sch o o l b o y wo u l d h a ve b e e n

,
a sh a m e d t o b e un ab l e t o r e p e at
N e e d y k n if e g rind r w hit he r ar e y o u g o ing 7

-
e
t he R e j e ct e d A ddr e ss e s t he n o l e ss f a m o us Ingo ld sby

,
L e ge nds H o o d s v e rs e as hu mo rist an d l at e r a wr e ath

,
’
, , , ,
o f b all a ds ,
fr o m t he he r o ic o n e o n Litt l e B i ll e e t o t he
d e scripti n f Me dit e r r n e n g l e Apri l l aughte r n o t
o o a a a a —
,
w itho ut a t e ar h e r e an d the r e — b y Th acke r ay

A d wh n i t f r c
n xp d d
e , s o e e en e ,
T h har ml ss s to rm w a
e nd d e s e e ,
And as t he sunris spl ndid

, e e
C am bl shing e th au o er
’
e se
Itho u ght as d ay w as b re aking

, ,
My li ttl e g irls we re waking ,
An d s miling a d m aki g ,
n n
A p ray e r at ho m e fo r m e .
Oth e rs ar e by Shi r l e y B r k s P nch s p t l aur e at e o f oo ,

u
’
oe -
Wit an d Hum o u r ; by Ch ar l e s Stu art Cal ve r l e y t he bri l ,
l i ant fl ash e s o f a s u bt l e wit w hi ch he styl e d Ve rs e s an d

Tr ans l ati o ns an d by L e wi s Carr o ll in t he fant asi a T he ’
,
‘
Hu nting o f t he Sn ar k Ab o ut mi dway in t he numb e r

.
’
o f w rit e rs ,
b o th in birth an d d e ath c o m e s D e an M ans e l ,
'
with th at pr o digy o f bitin g sat ir e sc ho lar ly vir u l e nc e an d , ,
m e l o d y t o o Phr o nti st e ri o n H e r e is its Hymn t o t he

,
.
Infinit e by t he fu ll Cho r u s o f Cl o u dy Pr o fe ss o rs
UN CL ASSED 39 1
v o i c e Of y o r
T he e,
W hi ch t he b r e z s b o re e e
W ailin g al o u d f ro m P ax o s s ho re ’
,
I s c hang e d to a gl add e r a d liv e li r st rain n e ,
F o r g re at G o d P a i s ali v e ag ain n ,
H e l iv e s a d he re ig n s o nc e m o re
,
n .
Wi th d e e p i tui tio n an d mysti c ri te

n
W e wo r hip t h Ab so l te I fi ite
s e u -
n n ,
T h Un i v e rs e — E go t he Pl e nary— Vo id
e , ,
T he su bj e ct O bj e ct id e nti fi d
-
e ,
T h gre at N o thi g S o m e thin g t he B e ing T ho u g ht

e n -
,
-
,
That mo ld e t h t he m ass o f C hao ti c N o u g ht

u ,
W ho s b ginn ing un nd e d an d e d u nb e gu n
e e e n
I s t h O e t hat i s All a d t h All t hat i On e

e n n e s .
H ail Li ght wi th D arkne ss j o ine d 1

Tho u Po te nt Im po te nc e
Tho u Q u a ti tative P o int n
Of all Indi ff e re nc e
G re at N o n E xiste nc e p assin g into B e in g
-
, ,
T ho u t wo f o ld Po l e f t he E le ctri c O e
-
o n ,
Tho u Lawl e ss Law tho u S e e r all Unse e ing , ,
Tho u Pro c e ss e ve r d o ing ne v e r d o ne

, ,
T ho u Po sitiv e N e g atio n
N e g at iv A ffi rm ati o n e
Tho g r at To tali ty o f e v e ry thi g

u e
‘
n
That n e v e r i s b t e v e r d o th b c o m e ,
u e ,
T h d o w sin g ee e
T he Pan th is t Ki g
’
e s n ,
Wi th c ase l ss b u g b u g b g a d e ndl e ss hu m,
fl
e e , , u , n
hu m , hu m ?“
A wo nd e rfu l t o u r d e fo rc e by a thin ke r n o t an habitual ,
ve rs e wr ite r o ve rp o we r ing an d t o m ahawking Le t me

-
.
te mpe r it with a d e lightfu l o w o f fancy by o n e w ho li ke ,
a c o nt e mp o r a ry a n o t he r gr e a t m a st e r in r o m anc e might
, , ,
had he s o e l e ct e d h ave b e e n r e n o w ne d c hi e fl y as a p o e t
,
W h n at h m al o n I it e o e e s
And am v ry tire d f it e o ,
I ha v e j u st t o shu t m y e ye s
T o go s ailing thr o u gh t he ski e s
T o go s aili g far aw ay n
T o t he p l e as ant Land o f Pl ay ,
T o t he f airyl an d af ar
W he re t h Li ttl Pe o pl e ar e ;
e e
Whe re t he c l o v r to p s a e tre e s e -
r ,
A d t he r ain p o o ls a e t h s e as
n -
r e ,
A d t he l e av e s l ik e li tt l e s hi p s
n
S ail ab o u t o tiny tri p s n
An d a b o v t he d aisy t re e e
T hro u gh t he g rass s e ,
High o head t he B u m b l B e
’
er e e
Hu ms a d p ass s n e .
T hro u gh that f o re st I c an p ass

Till as i a l o o king gl ass ;
,
n -
H u mming fl y a d d aisy tre n e
A d m y ti y s e l f I s
n n ee,
Paint d v ry c l ar a d n at
e e e n e
O t h r ain p o o l at m y f t
n e -
ee .
S ho u ld a l e afl t c o m t o l a d e e n
D rifting ne ar t whe re I stand o ,
Straigh t I ll b o ard that tiny b o at

’
R o nd t he r ain p o o l s a t o fl o at
u -
e .
Li ttl tho ghtf u l c re atu re s sit

e u
On t he g rassy c o ast s o f i t
Li ttl e thing s wi th l o v ly e ye s e
S e e m s ailing wi th s rp rise
e u .
S o me a e c l ad i arm o r g re n
r n u e
Th se hav su re t o b attl b e n
e e e e
S o m e a pie d wi th e v ry hu
re
’
e,
Bl ack a d c rimso n go ld a d bl u e
n , n
S o me hav e wi g s a d swift ar e go n e n n
B u t the y all l o k kindl y o n o .
W he n m y e y e s I o c e ag ain n
O pe n a d se e all thing s pl ain

n
Hig h b ar walls g re at b are fl o o r

e ,
G r at b ig k o b s n drawe r and d o o r ;
e n o
f e ars t o sp e ak o f N ine ty e ight 7

W ho -
W ho b lu she s at t he nam 7 e
W he n c o wards m o ck t he p atrio t s fate ’
W ho hang s hi s he ad fo r sham e 7
H e s all a knav e o half a sl av e
’
,
r ,
W ho S lig ht s hi s c o u nt ry th s u
B u t a Tru e m a lik e y o u m a n , ,
n ,
Will fill y o u r glass wi th u s

At l e ast as o ft e n in t he p au s e s o f fir e an d ir e is he ar d a no te
s o m e tim e s o f p atho s as fr o m ,
T h b e lls o f S hand n
e o
That s o nd So g rand o n u
T he p l as ant w ate rs o f t he riv r Le

e e e
’
s o m e tim e s o f gay c asuist ry by a lo ve r arguing th at

’
Tw uld save s so m ch b th r wh n w d b o th b e o an th r
o u u o e e e
’
ne o e
S lis te n o w t o r as o n Mo ll y Bri rl y
o n e , e e .
0 I m o t m y se lf at all
’
n
o r a r aptur o us d e scr ipti o n o f t he Gr o ve s o f Bl arn e y wh e r e ,
T h r s tat e s g rac i g this n b l plac e i

e e
’
s u n o e n
All h a th n go ds d nym phs s f air ;

e e an o
B ld N pt n Pl t rch d N i c d m s
o e u e, u a , an o e u ,
All s tandi g nak d i t h pe n ai n e n e o r

52
It has be e n a m e l ancho l y d u ty if in e vit ab l e t o p ass in , ,
r e vi e w wo r k by a c o mp any o f S inge rs whe n the i r turns ,
a rrive o n l y aft e r d e at h At l e ast the r e is s o me sat isfac

.
ti o n in t he l aps e o f a suffici e nt int e rval t o b e e ntitle d t o

c o ncl u d e th at s o m e p art o f t he t o t al o utl ive s a grave .
Of w rit e rs who have de p arte d in t he fe w ye ars o f t he

pr e s e nt c e ntury n o m o r e c an with right b e st at e d th an
t he e ffe ct th e ir s u cc e ssiv e v o l u m e s pr o d u c e d a s th e y
a pp e a r e d A ll th at He nl e y s an d Lang s ve rs e e v e r s e e m e d ’ ’
.
U N CLASSED 395
to r e qu ir e w as t he c re ati o n o f a s u ffici e n t pu bl ic e d u cat e d

t o r e a d b e t we e n t he lin e s T he pub l ic ati o n o f L ang s
’
.
XXII B all ad e s in Bl u e Chin a w as I r e m e mbe r an e ve nt , ,
fo r ac a d e mic a l circl e s T he y ar e n o t fo rgo tt e n n o w

. .
He nl e y s p o e ms had a simi l a r s u cc e ss ; an d n o t a fe w o f
’
the m als o — fo r inst ance Engl an d ! My Engl an d ! an d ,
Mar gar it as S o r o ri— ar e r e m e mbe r e d T he ir d e fe ct w as in .
in abil ity t o p e ne tr ate an d h o l d a ve r age int e lli ge nce s ,
as in g e n e r al an d fo r p e rm an e nc e o f impr e ssi o n p o e try

—
, , ,
must Y e t E dwin Arn o ld— wi th T he Light o f Asi a an d

.
L e w is Mo rris— wit h S o ngs o f T w o W o r l ds afid T he Epic

of H ade s if fai lu r e c an b e n a m e d in c o nn e xi o n wi th
—
myri ad s o f a d mir e rs— miss e d t he m o r e r e fin e d an d s e l e ct

appr e ci ati o n e a ch c o ve t e d m o st Gi l b e rt w o n b o t h cl asse s
.
with his B ab B all ad s an d his e ve rgr e e n dr a m as A l as fo r

, .
t he sp ar k o f g e ni u s in D a vi d s o n w it h his Fl e e t Str e e t ,
Ecl o gu e s an d B all a ds an d S o ngs w hich might h ave b e e n

, ,
fann e d int o a flam e had it n o t b e e n al m o st l it e r all y st arve d .
As fo r Alf r e d Lyall t he sp l e n d id ad mi nistr at o r t he s ag a

, ,
ci o ns c o unse llo r t he e min e nt bi o gr aphe r n o thi ng m ight b e

, ,
tho ught t o b e wanting t o his c ar e e r b u t fo r a c o nf e ssi o n

by hi ms e lf R e ad a pie ce which is inspir e d an d it s e e ms
.
t o sugge st an int e ll e ctu al r e gr e t T o o L at e — p e rh aps ,
fo r s o ngs u ns u ng— e ve n d e e p e r th an at s e qu e str ati o n in

t he F ar E ast fo r t he b e st p a rt o f a l ife tim e fr o m Engl ish
s o ci e t y air a mbiti o ns an d c ar e s
, , ,
W hat fa re aching N e me sis s tirre d hi m

r-
F ro m hi s ho me by t he c o o l o f t he s a 7 e
W he n he l e ft t he f air c o un try that re are d him ,
W h n h l ft h hi m the r fo the e
e e e er, s o , r ,
That r stl e ss dis c o s o late wo rk e r

e , n
W h s tr ai n o ow i v ain at t hy n t
s n n e s,
O s o m b r e a d s u l tr y N o v r c a
n e
0 La d f R e g re t s n o
le arnt ho w t hy ho no u rs ar rat d 7
H a s he e e
H a he c as t hi acc unt s i t hy s cho o l 7

s s o n
Wi th t h swee ts o f au th ri ty s te d
e o a ,
W o ul d h g iv u p his thr n t o b c o o l ?
e e o e e
D th h c rs o ri ntal ro m nci g
o e u e e a n ,
A d wish h had t o il d all hi d y

n e e s a ,
A t t h B a o t h B a ks o financin g
e r, r e n , r ,
A d g t d amne d i a c mm np l c e w ay 7
n o n o o a
83
B u t le t m e ha st e n t o c l o s e t he n e cr o l o gy o f t he Unc l ass e d
— al r e a dy o v e rcr o w d e d — with a n a m e i llu stri o us as m any
,
in my surve y in an o the r d e p artm e nt o f l e tte rs Ge o rge

,
.
Me r e di th fo r t he wo r ld at l arge w he n it di sc o ve re d hi m
“
a ft e r t w o t hi rds o f an en e rg e tic c a r e e r
-
a s t e ach e r an d .
,
pr e ache r w as a n o ve list n o t u nd e rst o o d but priz e d

, , , .
B e fo r e he d i e d it had b e e n b ar e l y awar e th at he w r o t e
ve rs e It tr e at e d t he l ittle it r e a d as an e cc e ntric dive r
.
si o n o f hi s l e is u r e Eve n n o w t o m o st o f hi s pub li c it is
.
a s u rpris e th at he ha s l e ft b e hi nd him a c o ll e cti o n o f
p o e ms Y e t an y st u d e nt o f hi s pr o s e writin gs th o ugh
.
,
witho ut kn o wl e dge o f hi s bi o gr aphy m u st fe e l he c o n ,
s id e r e d i t hi s s o u l s v o c ati o n t o b e a p o e t s H e is n o t
’ ’
.
t o b e j u d g e d by pi e c e s l i k e th at o u tb u rst Jump t o ‘
'
G lo ry Jan e
, The y we r e a ccid e nts o f s u dd e n imp u l s e .
R e all y he is a p o e t think e r o f N atu r e at o nc e he r stu d e nt

-
, ,
pri e st an d pr o ph e t H e w as e ve r watching l o vingl y he r

, .
m o ve m e nts an d tho s e o f he r wi l d childr e n with ke e n e r e ye s

, ,
e v e n th an th o s e he b e n t o n M an fo r t he purp o s e s o f ficti o n .
It might b e t he l ar k at d awn b e ginn i ng t o r o un d an d , ,
dr o pping
T h S ilv r c hain f d e e o so u n ,
Of m ny l i ks wi th t a br k n ou a ea ,
I chirr p whis tl
n sl r a d shake
u ,
e , u n
54
or , aft e r s u ns e t
t h c u rv f t h w hit
e wl sw pi g es o e e o ee n
W vy i t h d k lit by
a n l rg star e us one a e
85
p o ssible t o b o rr o w as ve hic l e s fo r m e r e c o unte rfe its o f p o e tic
fl
s e ns ibi l ity an d insight T e sts by which such tr appin gs m ay .
b e d istin gu ish e d fr o m r e al fl e sh an d b l o o d an d s o u l o ught , ,
t o b e we l c o m e T w o I b e l i e ve fe w pr e t e n de rs c an p ass
.
, ,
s u cc e ssfu ll y ; an d t he app l ic ati o n o f t he p air is n o t so d i i cu lt

'
as might b e s u pp o s e d T he first is th at t he wo r k its e lf .
b e r e quir e d t o ans we r w he the r it h ave insist e d o n b e ing

wr itt e n This m ay app e a r t o b e an att e mpt t o e xto rt
.
e vi d e nc e o f g u i l t by t o rt u r e It might b e if ve rs e r e s e mb le d .
sp e e ch in o th e r c o ll o c ati o ns R e all y it is as h ard t o c o mp e l .
wo rds t o sim u l at e inspir ati o n as t o h ave it T he s e c o nd .
r e qu isiti o n S ho u l d b e simp l e e n o u gh tho u gh t o j u dge by , ,
o rdin a ry criticis m t he imp e di m e nts t o c o m p l i anc e wi th it

,
ar e e n o r m o u s F o r pr o o f o f p o e tic a l m e rit r e g ard t he highe st

.
an d b e st in a w rit e r s a c hi e v e m e nt W e a dv anc e n o t o n e
’
.
st e p t o war d s kn o wl e d ge whe the r a m an h ave p o e try withi n

him by d we l ling o n hi s f ai l ur e s f o lli e s o r du lln e ss e s His , ,
.
av e r ag e p e rfo rm anc e its e l f d e m o nstr a t e s l itt l e o r n o thing .
On l y t he e xtr e m e r e ach Of his th o ught i de as an d fir e t e ll s , ,
u s au ght Find V e rs e t o hav e pr o d u c e d o n c o mp e t e n t

.
r e ad e r s a fe e l in g t hat t ho u ght an d e m o ti o n h av e e n f o rc e d
ve nti l at i o n o f t he m s e l ve s in wo rds th at t he y ar e r e s o l ve d
t o br e ath e t o b e su ng ,
al s o th at a m o ng an y a m o u nt o f , ,
infe ri o r m att e r the r e is an inspir e d p artic l e — an d d ar e t o

,
d e ny th at in t he au th o r t he r e is t he m ak ing o f a p o e t
1
R ale gh , T he Lie , st . 2 . W ork Oxf rd 1 820 (P m
s, o ,
. oe s ) vol . vi ii .
7
Id .
,
An E i p t ph pa u on Sir Phili p Sid y t 1 1 I bid ne ,
s . . .
3
Id .
, T he Pilgrim ag e . b
I id .
4
W o tt on , T o H is M is tr e s s, t he Q ue e n o f B o he m a i . St z an as l , 3, 4 .
R e liq u iae W o t t o n i an ae , 1 685 .
5
c l Br t
N i ho as e on (A S w t L ee u llab i e ) ,
t z
s an as 2, 4, Ab r r o of Am r o o us
D vic
e W ks
es . or , e d A B G
. . . r o s ar t , 1 87 9 .
5
B a c o n , T he B u bbl R liq
e . e u i ae W o t t o n i an ae .
U NCLASSED 399
7
D kk r H Ch ttl a d W H ght T h Pl a t C m d y f
T . e e , . e e, n . au on, e e as n o e o
P ti t G i il S h k p re S ci ty 1 84 1
a en r ss . a es ea o e , .
7
T h D ch f M lfy B
e l S g Act i Sc 2 W rk f J h
u e ss o a , os o a s
’
on , v, . . o s o o n
W b t r d Al x Dyc
e s e , e . e . e .
7
C pi d d D t h M q
u Od 1 65 3
anJ am S hi l y Dr m tic ea , as ue . e, . es r e , a a
W rk
o d P m d W G iff rd
s an d A Dy r oe s, e . . o an . e .
T h C t ti
1 °
f Aj x
e d Uly onDr m tic E t rt i m t
en on o a an sse s . a a n e a n en ,
S g J m S hi l y i bid
on . a es r e , .
Al x d r d C m p p J h Lyly Dr m tic W rk d F W
11
e an e an a as e . o n , a a o s, e . . .
F a ir ho lt .
17
R o s aly n d e , E u hu e s p G ld o en Le gac ie . T ho m as L o d ge .
Di d s ain Re tu rn e d , st . 1 . T he P oe ms of T ho mas C rw a e , ed . Art h ur
c t (T he M u se s Li brary )
’
in en . .
1 4
T he H rt S g B y d t h r c h f Art J h F rd
Br k o en ea . on ,
e on e ea o . o n o ,
lV k
or d W Giff rd d A Dy r
s, e . . o an . e .
15
Th m C m pi o t 1 F rth B k f Air 1 6 1 7 Ric h rd
as a on , s . . ou oo o s, . a
Ali Allis
so n , A H wr
or R cr ti i M ik 1 606 (A
on . n o e s
’
e ea on n us e, . n on .
,
T h G ld
e Tr o ry F T P lgr v N
en e as u , . . a a e, o .
(7 C m d y b y T B ) t 3 A
15
o e . . s .
,
n on .
S i W illi m D v
r t A b d a a e n an ,
u a e .
G W it h r t 5 S l ct Lyric P m
. e , s .
, e e oe s .
A E xc ll t N w B ll d — t t h t f I ll v rl v t h m r
1 9 ’
n e en e a a o e un e o ne e o e ee o e
by J m M rq i f M tr
a es M m i a f M tr u s ob y M rk N pi r on o se . e o rs o on o se , a a e .
7 “
Syr C li S I B k i 4 R liq au f A c i t E gl is h P t ry
n e, er .
, oo , . e ue s o n en n oe ,
by Bi h p (T h m ) P rcy
s o o as e .
21
T h A c i t B ll d f C h vy C h
e n I b id S
en I B k i 1 a a o e ase . .
, er .
, oo , .
W illi m Dr mm d f H wt h r d a S g II P m E d
u on o a o n en . on . oe s . .
W C W rd (T h M Li b r ry )
’
. . a . e u se s a .
T h B ttl f Ott rb r
e (T h Sc tt i h V r i ) t 1 9 W lt r
a e o e ou n e e o s e s on , s . . a e
Sc tt Min tr l y f t h Sc tti h B d r
o
’
s s e s o e o s or e .
2‘
Si P trick Sp r I b id a en s . .
25
W illi Dr w d i Y r w t z s 1 2 3 8 1 0 1 1 pp 2 5 —7
e s
’
o ne n a ro , s an a , , , , , , . .
Sc tti h S g d M ry C rlyl Ai tk
o s on , e . a a e en .
7“
Th D wi H m f Y r w Sc tt B d r M i tr l y
e o e ou s o a ro . o
’
s or e ns e s ,
t z
s an as
77
F i Hl a r Ib d t z 6 8 10 e en . i s an as , , .
L dy A a t 8 I b id nne, s . . .
79
E rl R ic h rd a I bid a . .
3 °
Th D m L v r
e I bi d ae on o e . .
J ll G r m I b id
e on a Y gB j e . I b id .
37
o un en ie . .
31
T h Cr l Sist r (B i
e o i O Bi
ue i I b id e nn r e, nn or e .
Q T he s M ri Sc tt B rd Mi tr l y t 1 8
ueen
’
a e . o
’
s o er ns e s , s . .
E d ward E d w rd
35
A Sc ttis h B ll d Fr m MS c py t a
, a . o a a . o a . o r ns
m itt d fr m Sc tl d I B k i 5 P rcy R l iq (I h v
’ ’
e So o an . er .
, oo , , e s e ues . a e
m wh t glic iz d t h p lli g i P rcy c py ) ’

so e a an e e S e n n e s o .
A
3“
Sc tti h Riv S i T h m Dick L d r
n on . o s e r s, r o as au e .
T h T w C rbi (Sc tt B rd r M i tr l y ) W M t h w ll
’ ’
37
e a o es . o s o e ns e s . . o er e s
v r i M i tr l y A ci t d M d r v ri
e s on , ns e s , n en an o e n , a es.
T h L chm b n H rp r (Sc tt B rd r Mi tr l y )
’
38
e o a e a e . o s o e ns e s .
J ph Add i o se (J hn P t l xxx ) so n . o so n s
’
o e s, v o . .
Dr T h m P ll S g (J h
1 °
. o P t l as ) arn e , on . o n so n s
’
o e s, v o . x xv n .
A Cr d l Hym Dr I c W tt M r l S g (J h
a e n , . s aa a s. o a on s . o n so n s
’
P t
o e s, v ol l i t z l 3 6 7 8 10 1 1
. v , s an as , , , , , , ,
W ritt at H l y t 5 Sh t L vit i (J h
’
47
t I en a an s nn en e , s . . en s o n e, e es o n so n
P t)
oe s .
T h V ity f H m
4“
e Wish an o u an es .
O t h D th f M R b rt Le v t
n e Practi r i Phy ic t 2
ea o r . o e e , a se n s ,
s . .
Am br Phili p — T Mi s Ch rl tt P lt y i h M t h r
o se s o s a o e u en e , n er o e
’
Arm M y 1 1 7 24 (J h
s, a P t ) , . o n so n s
’
oe s .
S lly i
4“
a All y t z 1 d 4 H ry C r y P m
n o ur e , s an as an . en a e , oe s .
Chri t ph r S m rt A S g t D vi d t 5 W rk d Lif 1 7 9 1
‘7
s o e a . on o a , s . . o s an e, .
R Br w i g P l y i g wit h C rt i P pl
. o n n (Chri t ph r. ar e n s e a n eo e . s o e
S m rt ) 3 i
a , , v .
J h Lg
49
o Od t t h C ck
n t z 1 6 Sc tti h S g d
o an . e o e u oo , s an as ,
. o s on ,
e .
M ry C rlyl Aitk
a a e en .
T h Fl w
5“
f th F r t J E lli t (Sc tt B d r M i t l y )
’
e o e rs o e o es . an e o o s or e ns re s .
A ld R b i G r y L d y A
u B r rd (Li d y ) Liv s f t h
o n a . a nne a n a n sa , e o e
Li d yn sa l ii s, v o . .
Call r H rri
“2
L d y N ir
e P m with M m i d Ch l
e n
’
. a a ne . oe s, e o r, e . ar e s
R g rs 1 869
o e , Th L d
. th L l I b id 5“
e an o
’
e ea . .
C d i B t S g ( l tt r fr m G M Fra r T i m Lit r ry
54
an a an oa on se e e e o . . se , es e a
S ppl m t D 2 3 1 904 wh r it i m ti d th t t h
u e en , ec. gh b , , e e s en on e a e so n as e en
att rib t d vari u e ly t P f r W ils L ckh rt J h G lt d L rd o us o ro e sso on , o a , o n a , an o
E glin t ) on .
O a I f t Dyin g
55
n S
n B r Ch l L m b P t
n an as oon as o n . ar e s a . oe .
W rk o Bo h 1 84 1
s . n, .
H t r I b id
5“
es e T h Old F m ili r F c
. I b id . e a a a es . .
T h F lli g L f T h P o tic l W rks f J m M tg m ry

58
e a n ea . e e a o o a es on o e .
T h W if l t t za 1 2 4 P ms f R ral Lif — i t h D r t
e e a- o s , s an s , , . oe o u e n e o se
D l ct b y W illi m B r
i —
a e S c d c ll cti a a nes . e on o e on .
A Di g T h m L v ll Bed d P tic al W rk E d E d m d
7
6“
r e . o as o e o es . oe o s . . un
G o ss e 1 89 0. .
C O N C LU S I ON S 7
FR OM my fir st t o my l at e st wo rds o n V e rs e which is
p o e try tho u gh it m ay b e witho u t a p o e t I h ave had in my
, , , ,
m ind t w o q u e sti o ns Co nsci o u s l y o r u nc o nscio u s ly I h ave

.
b e e n ask ing m ys e lf : Wh at th e n is Po e try ? an d What

‘
, ,
’
m ak e s a Po e t ? I am un ab l e t o ans we r the m y e t t o my
o wn e ntir e S at isf a cti o n .
I c an e nu m e r at e t he qu al itie s w hich singl e o r s e ve r al , ,
n e ve r all t o ge the r u nl e ss p e r haps in o n e s u p e rh u m an c as e

, ,
I mys e lf fin d in Eng lish ve rs e Fancy an d I m agin ati o n .

,
F o rm — o r Styl e St ate lin e ss Passi o n Ch arm Myst e ry , , , ,
Path o s Atm o sphe r e an d Sp o nt an e ity sh ar e a m o ng the m

, ,
wh ate ve r p o e try is in my j u dge m e nt e n t it l e d t o b e c all e d

, ,
gr e at Im agin ati o n an d F ancy st and f o r e m o st Im agin a

.
t i o n c o n d ucting t he pr o c e ss e s o f r e c o nstr u ctin g an t icip at

, ,
ing pr o ph e sying ; s e tting F ancy in m o ti o n ; F ancy whe th e r

, ,
in de p e n de nt l y o r aft e r I m agin ati o n has d o n e i t s wo r k an d

, , ,
s om e tim e s b e fo r e s e e ing thi ngs u nd e r a ch ange d asp e ct t he

, ,
o ld as if th e y w e r e n e w .
T he abs e nc e o f F o r m 1 s m o r e r e a di l y no t e d th an its
pr e s e nc e Whe n t he distingu ishi ng ch ar act e ristic as o f
.
,
B e n J o ns o n as p o e t o f H e rric k W all e r Suc kling an d

, , , ,
Lo ve l ac e it is almo st id e ntic al wi th Styl e It imp lie s S e lf

,
.
r e str aint an d R e s e rve Fr e que nt ly it has t he h appin e ss

, .
t o b e ass o ci at e d with t o o m u ch o f gr and e ur fo r it t o b e

singl ed o u t as t he wr i t e r s b a dge Y e t a p o e t m ay b e ’
.
i llu stri o us with o u t it fo r W o rds wo rth is .
State lin e ss an d Passi o n n e c e ssiti e s s o m e tim e s ar e o fte n

, ,
o u t o f p l ac e W e w ant n o fin e r e x amp l e o f t he f o rm e r
.
th an Par adis e Lo st an d n o w o rs e th an N ight Tho ughts

,
.
CO N CLUSIO N S 7 403
Fo r Pas sio n take She lle y S wi n b urn e At t he ir be st th e y

, .
e xe mp lify t o p e rfe c t i o n t he se lf a b an do nm e nt t he e cst asy

-
, ,
whi ch is t he triu mph o f p o e tic ar t .
Char m in p o e try e ve ry o n e fe e ls n o n e c an e xp l ain It ,

.
al t e rs its hu e s t o e a ch r e ad e r s e y e s An alys e it an d t he
’
.
,
h an d gr asps air It c o m e s at n o b o dy s be c k an d c all n o t

.
’
e v e n Mi l to n s o r Sh e ll e y s
’
Co m mo nl y by n o means always
’
.
, ,
it turns its b ac k u p o n W o r d s wo rth I t wi ll n o t b e p art e d .
fr o m He rric k an d Ke ats .
Myste ry is a r ar e Vis it ant an d we l c o me o nl y whe n r ar e

,
.
It is a m o ng t he distincti o ns o f Christ ab e l It is t he glo ry .
o f W e bst er s we ir d e x e cuti o n di rge o f Sc o ttish Ed war d

’
-
,
Ed ward o f Sy dn e y D o b e ll s K e ith o f R av e lst o n

’
It is ,
E dgar A ll an Po e s prim e e ng in e an d hi s Evi l Ge ni u s

’
, .
N o n e c an sp e ak o f P atho s as an y l o nge r S hy an d r e t iring .
Of o ld it w as litt le use d N o t unkn o wn a m o ng t he .
Eli z abe thans it w as wi th the m far fr o m habitu al In l ate r

,
.
d ays it is its abs e nc e whi ch wo u ld b e r e mar k ab l e B o th .
wr it e r an d critic ar e ap t t o fin d it a dange r o u s sn ar e .
The y ar e li ab l e t o b e bribe d by it t o acce pt the ir o wn

he art be ats fo r m u sic o f t he sphe r e s I h o p e I h ave
-
.
alr e ad y s u ffici e nt l y w arn e d my r e ade r s th at th e y ar e fr e e
t o disc o unt my pr ais e s o f ve rs e w h e n e ve r t h e y th e m s e l ve s

a r e inc l in e d t o sh e d a t e a r o ve r it In a p o e t t o aim at .
p atho s sche m e fo r it is cri min al Whe n it c o m e s it

, , .
sh o u l d c o m e as an incid e nt n o t as t he m o tive o r c al c u l a te d
, ,
r e s u lt In gr e at p o e try as W o rdsw o rth s it st e als fo rth

.
,
’
,
a lm o st as it w e r e ag a inst t he p o e t s wi ll
’
, , .
I h ave l e ft t o t he e n d a c o u p l e o f qu alitie s whi ch ar e n o t

so m u ch s e p ar at e pr o p e rti e s o f p o e try as c o ndi ti o ns o r
state s o f it E a ch I r e gar d as e xc e e dingl y pr e cio u s Whe n
. .
w e ar e n o t s ur e that w e h ave l e a rnt fr o m a p o e m all which

is t o b e l e arnt that w e have fe lt all which is t o b e fe l t
, ,
C c 2
w he n w e susp e ct th at it h o ld s in r e s e rve fo r us d e li ghtful
p o ssibili ti e s that it has e nte r e d into us an d th at w e ar e
, ,
.
in sp iritu al uni s o n with i t— the n an d the r e I r e c o gn iz e

Atmo sphe r e It is n o t a be ginni ng o r b asis b u t a r e s ul t
.
,
.
Whe n t he fe as t is o ve r a b o x o f spik e n ar d is br o ke n an d
a fr agr ant v ap o ur e nve l o ps all Bl ake s ve rs e fl o ats in ’
.
Atm o sphe re So d o e s Ke ats s E v e o f St Agn e s S o

.
’
. .
Christ ab e l T h e r e is At mo sphe r e in H o gg s Ki lme n y

.
’
.
I fin d n o n e in C a mpb e ll an d litt l e in S co tt s o wn ve rs e
,
’
,
tho u gh abund ance in hi s B o rd e r Minstr e lsy .
Aki n t o it I supp o s e tho ugh t he st at e is as h ar d t o

, ,
d e scribe as Atm o sph e r e is e ve ry supr e m e p o e t s an d ,

’
p o e m s str ange p o we r s u d de n l y t o Op e n fr e sh s o ur c e s in
’
br ain an d h e art F o rthwi th issue s a fl o o d o f fe e li ng as

.
m agi c all y s w e e t t o r e ad e r as t o writ e r A m e r e v e r sifi e r .
m ay go up an d d o wn s inking we ll s e ve ryw he r e,
H e to r .
tu r e s t he d e pths o f t he s o i l The e ntir e r e gi o n r e m ains fo r

.
hi m a d e s e rt a S ah ar a T he p o e t c o m e s with hi s wi ll o w
, .
bo u gh an d springs g u sh fr o m t he s o lid ro c k t o m e e t t he
divi ning r o d as it be nds It is a r e al gift l ik e t he sp e ll
.
, ,
t he to uch o n hum an e y e s w hi ch us e d t o r e ve al t he c c ,
e xist e nc e wi th t hi s e a rthy w o r l d o f o urs o f a ctu a l F a iry
l and I h ave n am e d t he c o ndi ti o n fo r want o f a b e tt e r

.
wo rd Sp o nt an e ity fo r its e ffe cts h ave n o man ife st c au s e

, .
R e ally sp o ntane o u s ge n e r ati o n is as un kn o wn in p o e try as

in physics F ancy s o ws t he ge rms an d fo rge ts whe r e
.
,
.
The y whe n spr u ng u p re me mb e r an d afte r w and e ring

,
-
, , ,
aw ay , r e turn as bir ds t o the ir n e sting p lace s N o b o d y

,
-
.
c an t e ll t he pr e c is e n at ur e o f t he ag e nt wh e the r it b e ,
a thi ng o r a p o we r a m o d e o f a cti o n an asp e ct Of s o me

, , ,
thi ng e ls e It r o am s ab o ut t he r e al m o f p o e try l e ndi ng

.
,
i ts e l f o u t t o t hi s o r th at s e p ar at e qu ality Po mp at its .
t o uch b e c o m e s maj e s ty Char m ris e s e ve ryw h e re lik e

.
,
406 FIVE CEN T U RIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
b o rn th at t im e T he t as t e an d fashi o n o f t he p e ri o d
of .
m ay h ave ch ange d an d b e e n f o rg o tt e n T he spirit if e ve r .

,
it we r e r e al an d sinc e r e w i ll th o u gh tinge d with t he c o lo u rs

, ,
o f its age c o nt in u e t o li v e in l it e r at u r e
, It m ay e ve n burst .
an e w int o fl am e I f t he p e ri o d as a w h o l e o r an y di stin ct
.
,
str atu m in it a cc e pt e d as its vo ic e a p o e t it had fo r m e d

, ,
he w i ll r e m ain a v o ic e th o ugh e ch o ing fr o m a w i l d e rn e ss

, .
In an y e ve nt he an d t he pub l ic which o nc e l ist e n e d t o his

m u sic wi ll h ave had t o a l a rg e e xt e nt a c o mm un i ty o f s o u l .
B ac o n has b e e n a rg u m e nt ative ly f ab l e d t o b e t he actu al

Sh ake sp e ar e T he f ancy wo u l d h ave b e e n m o r e p l ausib l e
.
,
if he had be e n d e scri b e d as a c o ll ab o r at o r Th e n the r e .
w o u l d b e tr u th i n it b u t o n l y a fr acti o n o f t he tr u th H e
, .
m u st S h ar e t he fe llo wship with R ale gh an d Dr ake Ess e x , ,
t he C e ci l s t he w i t s o f t he M e rm aid Sidn e y Sp e ns e r t he
, , , ,
b u cc an e e r m ar in e rs o f D e vo n— w i t h t he e ntir e awake n e d
-
n ati o n All we r e t o ge th e r j o int au tho rs with Sh ake spe ar e

.
o f t he P l ays an d o f m any a f a m o u s p o e m fo r a h al f c e n t u ry
,
-
b e sid e s Eve ry au th o r m o r e o r l e ss a p o e t m o st o f all

.
, ,
r e pr e s e nts his e n vir o ni n gs T he char act e r o f p o e try always

.
d e p e n d s l arge l y u p o n t he p e rs o n al e l e m e nt o n t he n at u r e s ,
o f t he r e ad e rs a s w e ll a s o n t h at o f t he p o e t
,
W arm e d by .
t he s a m e sunshin e an d b u ff e t e d by t he s a m e st o r ms as
,
t h e y he give s b ac k t o the m the i r o wn in s o ng W he n w e

,
.
a dmi r e t he a ntiq u e wi t h o u t be ing ab l e t o giv e a r e as o n fo r
o u r a d mir ati o n it Oft e n is th at ins e nsib l y w e h av e l ive d

,
b ack int o an o the r age by virtu e o f c o m m u ni o n wi t h o n e o f

its cr e atu r e s an d cr e at o rs T he bl o o d o f a dist ant e r a is
.
\
stirring in us .
It is n o t always dir e ct symp athy w ith a p e ri o d which

s e ts n atu r e s po e tic ally e n do we d s inging t o the ir ge n e r a
ti o n S o m e tim e s it is an an al o g o u s e m o ti o n in a c o n t r ast e d
.
g u is e — a t e mpe r o f r e vo lt t he at t r acti o n o f antip a t hy

, .
A mino rity has p e rs u ad e d its e lf th at t he sc e n e o ught t o b e

shifte d He rbe rt an d Vau ghan we r e inspir e d t o pr o te st
.
ag ainst t he m ann e rs o f th e ir tim e o n b e h alf o f H e ave n .
L ate r o n fr o m t he s a m e di sgust at t he pr e s e nt Co w l e y
, ,
au g ur e d tri u mphs fo r sci e nc e sti ll u nb o rn b u t in t he air , .
S a m u e l B u tl e r m o c ke d d e sp o t ic Pu ri t an Maj o r G e n e r al s -
.
Dryd e n ch a mpi o n e d r e ac t i o n p o l i t ic al an d the o lo gic al

, .
S wift w as j au ndic e d ag ainst a wo r l d as p e tt y as Li llip u t ,
an d as c o ars e as B r o bdingn ag Po p e s sp it fi r e cyn ic al

.
’
indi ff e r e ntism inspir e d its e lf wi t h t he s o ci al mi asm a i t

affe ct e d t o l o ath e B ur n s s Mus e w ave r e d b e t we e n j o y in
’
.
Ar c adi an simp l icity an d an u n e asy a r e m o rs e f u l r e b e lli o us

, ,
o —
n e ss against Kir k S e ssi ns p e rh aps ag ainst f ami ly S atur ,
d ay N ights t he ms e l v e s B yr o n s d e fi anc e o f his fe ll o w m e n

’
.
,
B r o wning s di squ isiti o ns t o s o ci e ty o n t he m e aning it

’
had f o rg o tt e n o f its o w n v ag ari e s an d T e nnys o n s e ffo rts t o

’
,
t e mpt it into b e c o ming t he id e al o f its d ist o rt e d distr acte d ,
s e l f ar e all al ik e st e e p e d in t he tim e s circu mst anc e s

,
’
.
T he ir pu b l ic r e c o gniz e d its e lf— d e no unc e d c o mp assi o n ate d , ,
, . a —
m o r aliz e d e the r e liz e d as the ir t h e m e E ach p o p u .
lar sin ge r in turn has b e l i e v e d hims e lf a l e a d e r an d a

pr o phe t So he has b e e n ; b u t a l e ad e r be c au s e m o st
.
,
o b e di e nt l y r e pr e s e nt ativ e o f hi s f o ll o we rs a pr o phe t b e c au s e
, ,
b e st tr ans lat ing t he in cli n ati o ns o f hi s di scip le s by hi s o wn .
E l iz ab e than gr ande ur an d sp aci o u sne ss r e fle ct the ms e l ve s

in t he gi ants o f c o nt e mp o r ary p o e tic al l it e r atu r e It is .
t he s a m e w i t h t he e a rt hi ne ss t he int e lle ctu al an d spiritu a l

,
p o ve r t y o f thr e e fo u rths o f t he e ighte e nth c e ntury Eve ry

,
-
.
p e ri o d cr ave s t o have its e lf po e tic ally int e rpr e te d t ho u gh ,
t he lyr e r asps an d cr e ak s Whe n it is w it ho u t J o n so n s

'
an d He rb e rts an d c ann o t c o m mi ssi o n e n o ugh Grays an d

,
G o l dsmiths i t m u st p e rfo rc e p u t u p w i t h Y o ungs an d

,
Ak e n sid e s In an y c as e i t l o ngs t o fe e l ak in t o t he
.
4 08 FIVE CENT URIES OF E N GLISH VERSE
min str e l sy A p o e t bo w s t o t he s a m e instinct His s o ng
. .
,
wh e the r in d e fi anc e o r r e spo ns e w as nur s e d in an d wo ul d

, , ,
r e turn t o t he h e art s t o w hich he S ings

, .
Gr e at p o e try has ch ar a cte ristics its ve ry o wn N o l e ss , .
i t in d ic at e s t he sp e ci al circ u mst anc e s o f its o rigin The .
au th o rs disg u is e th e ms e l ve s a s l i t t l e S o m e ve rs e e xe rts
.
a di stinctive p o we r — a m o unt ing t o c o mpul si o n— Of r e fe r
ring its e l f b ac k t o t he wr it e r s p e rs o n al ity W e c ann o t

’
.
re ad Clo u gh w ith o u t c u ri o sity as t o t he m o tive t he l ight ,
w hich a pi e c e thr o ws up o n t he m e nt al st age t he p o e t had

r e ach e d t he n e arn e ss t o t he g o al Evid e ntl y he wr o t e t o
,
.
t e ll hims e l f H e r e I am n o t allu ding t o s u ch de l ib e r ate

.
in t r o sp e c t i o n I am thin king o f t he sun p o rtr aits in spira

.
-
ti o n t ake s ho w it brings a who l e b e ing wi th it s r e sp e ctive ,
t e n d e ncie s an d e n e rgi e s o f all s o rt s t o mirr o r its e lf Str o ngl y

, .
m ar ke d an d vigo r o u s in t he m ain fe atur e s usually with ,
f ail in gs as s e lf e vi d e nt t h at b e ing is b o und t o b e The

-
, .
Mu s e d o e s n o t an o int he r kings at r and o m In t he .
e l e c t w e h a ve a rig ht t o e xp e ct t he s e ns e o f a n atur al
titl e t o t he cr o wns p l ace d o n the ir h e ad s T he assu r anc e
fl
.
is supe ri o r t o S i l e nc e t o n e gl e ct ,
T h o ugh p o st e rity m ay
.
h ave fo rgo tt e n th e ir r o yalt y is in de fe asibl e T he su b

,
.
st anc e m at e r i al an d S piritu al a d o pt e d by t he p o e tic sp a r k

, ,
fo r its l o d ging o r h o m e o u ght t o b e s e l f su i cin g

, , It -
.
sh o uld b e ab l e t o e nt e rt ain t he gue st an d survi ve w ith

, ,
d i gnity its d e p artu r e S u rve y t he dy n asty o f s o ve r e ign

.
B ri t ish p o e ts t o wh o m succe ssive g e n e r at io ns h ave p aid

h o m age Be yo n d d isput e n in e t e nths will b e ad mitte d t o
fl
-
.
h ave be e n n o t l e ss r e m ark abl e as m e n than as p o e ts

t o r e m a in r e m ar k ab l e wh e n th e y h ave c e as e d t o sin g .
Ge ni al Ch au c e r ris e s at my invo c ati o n so ldi e r a mb ass a , ,
d o r an d c o u rti e r c he e r fu y c ar e l e ss o f pr e l at e s o r fr i ar s
’ '
’
, ,
s c o w l
.s I se e Sp e ns e r w ith t h e k e y t o F ai ry l and a st at e s ,
n e ve r t o all s e e ming o r gu e ssing susc e ptib l e o f a j e al o u s
, ,
suspici o n
N at u r e w o u l d h ave b e e n cr u e l had s he n o t e qui pp e d w ith
m anif o l d stu rdi n e ss tho s e s e l e cte d t o h and t he t o rch o f
i nspir ati o n fr o m o n e g e n e r ati o n t o an o the r T he p o e t ic .
spirit is we ll a dvis e d in pr e fe rr ing t o ho u s e in a big n atur e .
The v o c at i o n o f p o e t is a m o ng t he m o st unc e rt ain t he ,
tho rni e st With s o m e ve rs e it is tr u e w e fin d it di ffi c u l t
fl
.
, ,
t o ass o ci ate t he th o u ght o f t o i l T he writ e r might h av e .
lispe d i n nu m b rs e , an d t he nu mb rs c m
e a e .
W e do kn o w ho w La mb s spirit whi ch l o ve d t o o w
not
’
, ,
l ik e t he Mo l e u nd e rgr o u nd d istill e d his fe w an d l o ve l y

, ,
str ain s In ge n e r al h o we ve r t he ard u o us ch ar acte r o f

.
, ,
t he p u rs u it i s in di sp u t ab l e N e v e r c o u l d f ancy app ar e nt l y
.
h ave be e n m o r e spo nt ane o us than G o lds mi th s an d he ’
wo r k e d o n a p o e m fo r ye ars T he st art fo r an y write r .
m ay h ave be e n e asy a s u pp l y o f im agin ati o n an d fancy

,
b e ing pr e s u pp o s e d Ve ry s o o n b as king in t he sun has t o

.
turn in t o d e l ving an d di gging T he r aw m at e ri al s with .
whi ch t he p o e t d e als o ft e n ar e w aiting in re adi n e ss fo r

,
him ; b u t he has t o m an uf ac tur e th e m The th o ughts .
an d fe e l ings he has t o e xpr e ss ar e c o m m o n t o h u m an
n atur e ; the y ar e in artic ul ate unti l he has e du cate d

l angu age w i t ho u t e xte rn al e vi de nc e o f c o mp u l si o n t o
, ,
disc o ve r u n kn o wn c ap aciti e s in i t s e lf fo r c o nstitu ting i t

t he ir v o ice Dur in g t he pr o c e ss an d as a c o nditi o n o f its
.
,
s u cc e ss all his e n e rgi e s ar e in a stat e o f e ff e rve sc e nc e

,
.
Me anwhi l e he has t o l o o k fo r t he Spirit t o d e sc e n d and

, ,
c all a s o u l int o b e ing F o r lo ng pr o b ab l y the r e is n o r e s u l t

. .
At l e ngth n o t app ar e nt l y o u t o f t he ste a m an d bubb l ing

, ,
a sh ap e b e c o m e s vi sib l e A p e c u li arity o f an y p o e try

.
w o r t hy o f t he n a m e d o u btle ss is th at t he w o r k as t he ,
r e ad e r p e rh aps as t he w o r k e r s e e s i t s hall be a r u p o n
, , ,
its fac e n o e vid e nc e o f t he p ains it has c o st N o t t he .
l e ss is it t he fruit o f a pr o tr ac t e d an d ve he m e nt c o u rs e o f
spiritu al gymn astics fr e qu e nt l y o f ago ny .
Co u r age curi o sity p ati e nc e o bstin acy e go tism s e lf

, , , , ,
r e l i anc e p e rh aps a spice t o o o f s e lf c o nce it all ar e want e d

,
-
,
fo r t he struggl e ag ainst ad ve rs a ri e s at h o m e an d abr o ad .
T he p o e t m u s t h av e a wi ll H e mus t insist o n b e in g b li nd
.
an d d e af t o t he c l aims o f riv a l f a c u l ti e s o f his o wn w he n ,
inspir ati o n is o n hi m The y m u st e ve n le t the ms e l ve s b e

.
h arn e ss e d t o its ch ari o t L ac k o f d o gge dn e ss in br e aking

.
in c o u nt e r in t e ll e ct u a l an d spirit u al i mp u ls e s in o b ligin g ,
t he m t o s e rve has o fte n sm o the r e d t he p o e t u nd e r t he

,
p hi l o s o phe r o r critic A tri al y e t m o r e affli cting is t he du t y

.
o f b e ing m ast e r in hi s o wn h o u s e t o t he s e lf to rtu rin g ,

-
e xt e nt o f s e tti g b u d s t t he fl ights o f his Q u e e n hi s

n o n o —
G e ni u s his Inspir ati o n its e lf o f i mp o sing si l e nc e o f

, ,
s e ating r e as o n ab o ve e cst asy All t he tim e t he wo r ld .
o u tsi d e m ay a c t a s th o u gh r e s e ntful o f hi s m e r e e xiste nc e .
H avi ng suffe r e d hi s Mu s e Me d e a li ke t o to ss him int o t he

,
-
,
b o ili ng c au l dr o n he iss u e s fo rth b e lie vin g hi ms e lf a d o r ab le

, , .
H e s alli e s o u t in t he c o ld r ain st o rm an d d a r kn e ss t o w o o
, , ,
t he p u b li c with gui t ar an d s e r e n ade as if it we r e a l o vi ng ,
m istr e ss H e fin d s hims e lf a b u tt fo r ins o l e nt ridic ul e

.
,
wh e n abs o rbe d in hi s i d e as c arri e d away by a pr Op he t ic

, ,
r aptu r e he d anc e s li ke D avi d be fo r e t he Ark H e m u st

, , , .
st e e l him s e lf t o be ar p e rs e c u ti o n b e c au s e he is ho n e s t chill ,
s u rpris e w he n he is s u b li m e c o nt e mpt whe n he an n o u nc e s

,
t o hi s age n o ve l ti e s whi ch wi ll b e tru is m s fo r t he n e xt

In t he l o ng an d i llustri o u s l in e sc arce ly a S ingl e m e mbe r
has n o t had t o gr o p e hi s w ay t o r e no wn thr o u gh stifling
f o gs o f pr e j u dice N atu r e s e ldo m mo d e l s an y fo r po e ts
.
wi tho u t a dding e x t r e m e s e nsi t ive n e ss t o o u t sid e o pini o n .

The y h ave t o pr e t e n d n o t t o c ar e . S o m e stu mb le o utrigh t
o n t he c o u rs e Th e r e h ave b e e n
.
mighty Po ts i th ir mis ry d ade n e e e .
T he im m e di at e pr iz e s at b e st ar e fe w w ith hu n d r e d s t o ,
c o mpe t e Many ar e t he e ar l y f ai lu r e s o f u lti mate winn e rs

. .
A l m o st mo re dish e art e nin g ar e t he h alf succ e ss e s l ike t he fall -
o f t he fr in g e Of a r a in c l o u d in a d r o ught
-
Mo o re m ay h ave .
fe l t t he ache whe n he f o u nd th at his Me lo di e s we r e n o t t he

f o r e r u nn e rs o f a gr e at p o e m Abs o l u t e tri u mphs the m
.
s e l ve s have th e ir dr aw b ac k s in mis appr e he nsi o ns by p o pu l ar

e nthusi asm o f t he r e a l p o int an d m o tive Ve ri l y as I t ak e .
,
a b i r d s e y e vi e w o f t he p o e tic al hi e r a rchy wi th its p e ril s

’
-
,
an d t e mpt ati o ns I a m n o t sur pris e d at t he g e n e r al c o in c i

,
d e nc e o f t o u ghn e ss physic al an d m e ntal with insp irati o n

, ,
in t he fe w o f i t s m e mb e rs w ho in an y age st ay o u t t he , ,
r ac e t o t he e n d .
A ge n e r al n o t uni ve rs al c o incid e nc e I r e p e at— an d

’
, , ,
t he s a m e q u alific a ti o n m u st b e intr o d u c e d w h e n e ve r an
att e mpt is m ad e t o im pris o n p o e try an d p o e ts insid e an
abs o l u t e d e fin i ti o n I h ave tri e d t he e xp e ri m e nt with an

.
e n u m e r ati o n o f e ss e nti al pr o p e rti e s a s th e y m ight s e e m , ,
b e lo nging t o w h at e ve r p o e try is ge nu in e It has always .
f ai le d e ve n d o wn t o t he sp e cific ati o n o f me tr e its e lf as

,
indisp e ns ab l e N o n e w i ll d e ny t h at R u s kin c o nst ant l y

.
S ings in pr o s e an d D e Q u inc e y fr e qu e nt ly Sh e lle y c o u l d

,
.
b e as m u sic al in an e ss ay as w ith hi s S k yl ar k I kn o w .
o f a s e nt e nc e whi ch is p o e try in H all a m an auth o r as ,
habitu all y u npictur e squ e as hi s o wn Wimp o l e Str e e t '
I have my d o u bts ab o u t a pi e c e o f Pl antage n e t p o rtr aitur e

in t o u gh B ish o p Stu bbs Tho ugh I c lin g t o t he b e li e f th at
.
im agin ati o n an d f ancy ar e o n e o r b o th n e ce ss ary t o t r u e

, ,
p o e try I s ho u l d n o t c ar e t o d o gm atiz e o n it Ch arm I am

, .
,
p e n alty th an n e g l e ct Po e ts u nl e ss the y b e cr o wn e d ar e
.
, ,
n e ve r s afe fr o m t he pill o ry T he y e nt e r t he li sts at t he

.
p e r i l o f t he d o o m thr e a t e n e d t o law r e fo r m e rs in t h e o l d
Gr e e k St ate In e qu ity the y we ll might p l e ad th at the ir
.
critics o u ght e qu all y t o abid e t he ris k F o r mys e lf I am

.
f u ll y c o nsci o u s ho w f air t he c l ai m wo u ld b e an d sinc e r e l y

,
trust t hat I h ave b e h ave d as if I we r e Thr o u gho u t I c an

.
ass e rt th at in v e nt u ring t o a ss u m e t he critic al ch ar a ct e r

, ,
I h ave had a c o nst ant s e ns e o f a c o r d r o un d m y o wn n e c k

inste a d o f t he p o e t s I h ave e ve n fe lt a l ive l y appr e h e nsi o n
'
’
.
th at t he n o o s e mi ght b e tight e n e d by t he thic k finge rs o f

s o m e Geo rgi an po e t s gh o st F o r th e ir o wn s ake s n o l e ss
’
.
,
t han fo r th at o f t he pu bli c m e mb e rs o f t he o bn o xi o us p r o
,
fe ssio n in whi ch fo r my pr e s e nt purp o s e I h ave e nr o ll e d

,
mys e lf ar e b o und I be li e ve t o b e always o n t he w atch

, , ,
that th e y d o n o t b ar e ntr anc e withi n t he te mp le o f t he

Mus e s t o ange l s un aw are s Co ntin u ally th e y sho u ld b e
.
r e m in di ng t he ms e l ve s th at aspir ants vain l y s e e king ad

m it t an c e in t he de spis e d gui s e o f Min o r Po e ts h ave b e e n
di sc o ve r e d e r e t his t o b e m e dit ating p o e try w hich is
Gr e at .
I N D E X O F F I R S T WO R D S
A b m ff
ea tb r k
o un o u o e
Ab B Ad h m— may hi trib i c r a
ou en e s e n e se
A c as m nt hi g h a d tri pl arch d th r w a
e e n e-
’
e e s
A c s tl p r c i p i c
a e, l d e e -e n c u r e
A c h r b w ho h d l s t hi w ay
e u a o s
A c r t r B a tif l t
ea u e e u u o se e
A d a ghte r f t h g ds divi ly t ll
u o e o , ne a
A d ad tim s xpl d d dr am
e e
’
e o e e
A dr amy s nd
e ou
A d w y f r w zy p m all d t h E xc i
ro z o oe , c
’
e urs o n
A g r t r n m T h list f Gl ry b asts t
ea e a e e o o o no
Ah h w t h t r aml t l a g hs
o d si g s
e s e e u an n
A h s t f g ld n d aff di ls
o , o o e o
Ah wh t av ails t h s c pt re d r ac
a e e e
Airly B ac n Airly B c o n
e o , ea
A lang ag d ad u e e
Al s f t h w f l thing
a or e oe u
A lig ht that i m r than t h s nli g ht a ai that i brig hte r

s o e e u , n r s
than m rning s b r ath o

’
e
All a ne e d d by
re ch e ea one
All imp l s s f l a d ns
u e o so u n se e
All Mo th r w r hi p li ttl f t
e s o s e ee
All t h b li s that lif d rs

e s e en ea
All t h b r z e f F ancy b l w
ee e o o s
A mi ghty b and
A m si c rai e d thro g h t h r m
u n u e oo
An ag d ma o w te d
e n n en r
’
A d c r wn him m ar ty r ; a d hi
n o am will ri g n s n e n
And H arald r ig d a d we nt his w ay e ne n
A d if I l au g h at an y m r tal thing
n o
41 6 I N DEX OF FIRST W ORDS
An d if o n e qu i c k te ars
or t wo
An d I think o f tho s e l o ng m o rnin g s
An d lay lik e hi s m y ha ds t o g e the r

, , n
And o e t he hills a d fa away

’
r , n r
A d o e r t h p l ain w h r e t he d e ad age
’
n e , e .
And su ch I kne w a fo re st s e r , e
A d th y j e r d him o n e an d all
n e e e P o o r H ose yn i s c raz e d
p ast ho p e
A d tho u dre ad s tatu e ! y t e x is te nt i
n , e n
And we ll it is fo r u s o u r G o d sho u ld fe e l
And whe n I am t ae n an d han git mi the r a b rittli g my , , n O
’
de e r
And whe n i t s fo rc e xp e nde d
, e
And y e t a yo u g A d warm wi th lif

s n n e
And y e t n o e arthqu ak e c ame t o swall o w m e

An e nd o Ism il
f a — hap l e ss t o wn
An E nglish ho m e g ray twilight p o u d
— r
’
An Idyll wi th B o cc acc io s spiri t warm ’
A Qu e e n wi t h swarthy c he e ks an d b o ld b lac k e y e s
A qu i ck an d su dde n c ry
Art tho u p o o r y e t has t tho g o lde n slu m b e rs 7
,
u
As I w as walking all alane
fl
Ask if I l o v e the e 7 Oh smile s c anno t te ll ,
A s o le mn mu si c o f t he wi nd
A s o ng — n ay a shrie k that r t t he sky
, ,
en
A s o ng whe re u t e b re ath silve rs tru m p e t cl ang 7

- -
A s tar t o o s o ve re ign t o o su p e rb ,
A ste rn ro und t o we r o f o the r day s

As t he e ve ing shad s de s c e nd e d
n e
At fi rst t o t he ar e
A thing o f b e au ty i s a jo y fo v e r r e
A t larg e amo ng t he d e ad
A t nightf all at l ast ,
A v o ic e by t h c e d ar tr e ee
A w e t she e t an d a fl o wi ng se a
Awf ul c o v e y s o f te rrib l thing s e
418 I N DEX OF FIRS T W ORDS
D a g hte r dau ght e r re me mb e r y o u

u , ,
D e ar H arp o f my C o untry i d arkne ss I f o nd th n u ee
D e ath rid e s u po n t he su l phu ry S ir o c

D ath whi c h tak e s m f ro m hi s sid e
e , e
D o s t he ro ad wind u phi ll all t he way

e 7
D o o m e d t o go in c o m p any wi th Pain
D o u n in y o u g ard e n swe e t an d gay
Ea rth ha t anything t Sho w m o re f air
s no o
E re I p l ng e d amid t h av ng ing fl am
u e e e
m
E te r al p assio n !
n
E th r a l minst r l
e e pilg ri f t he k y e . o S .
E v n at i t b ri g h te s t pl ay
e s
E v ry m rning fa wi thdr awn

e o , r
E v ry m o ntain
e w hath f o nd a t o ng e
u no u u
F aintly as to lls t he e v e ni g c hime n
F air w as she t o b e ho ld that m aid e n o f se v en te e n su mm e rs ,
F a an d ne ar I n w o o d a d thi ck e t
r , n
F ar t o t he f air s o u t h wes t ward li g ht e ns -
F the r a d frie nd
a n
F athe r m o the r an d c are ful c hild

, ,
‘
F r d t 7 t o fe e l t he fo g m my thr o at
ea e a h —
F lake by fl ak e
F l ids im p acts e sse nc e s

u , ,
F o r c ru e l t i s s aid sh
’ ’
, e
F o r m e I am n o t w o rt hy
,
F o r I m au n gae t ho I ne e r r e tu rn
’ ’
,
F o r me n m u s t wo rk an d w o m e n m u s t we e p ,
F or tho u we r t b o rn o f wo m an tho u didst c o m e

F r sh o d o u r s e n t
e ,
F rie nds d e ar f ri nds whe n it shall b e

, e ,
F ro m t he b l az ing chario t o f t he su n
F ro m t he f o re sts an d hi ghlan ds
Gliding an d sp ringi g n
I N DE X OF FIRST W ORDS .
419
G lo o m p ro fo und
Go ld still g o ld
,
hard y e ll o w arid c o ld
.
, ,
G o — l e ad t he H b re w f o rt h array d
’
e ,
Go ne int o t he We st
G re at o r go o d o kind o f air
, ,
r , r
Gre at S o c rate s 7 And tho u D ivin r still

—
, e
G re e n b o u nte o u s E ar th
G ree n li ttle vau l te r i n t he sun ny g ras s
G u e s t o f millio n painte d f o rms
H ad she c o m e all t he w ay fo r h t is
H ad st tho u
’
t g o f po we r
’
b u t liv d , ho u h s t r ipp d
’
H ail b e au te o u s strang e r o f t he g ro ve
,
Hark n o w e v e rything is still

,
H ark thro u gh t he alle y re s o unds

H e ard y e t he arro w hu r tle in t he Sky 7
H e ar m ne ighb o u rs
e , at l as t he c ri e d
H e e de d t ho sinkin g as if into d e ath

,
’
H e e t e r d b u t he e n te r d f u ll o f wr ath
’ ’
n ,
H e has cu t his t hr e at at l as t He W ho 7
H e igh ho wo u ld she we re min
,
e
H e kne w w hat p ains m u st p ie rc e a S iste r s h art

’
e
H e re e v r sinc e y o u we nt ab ro ad
, e
H re whe n Ar t w a still r e ligi o n wi th a sim ple re ve re nt

e , s , ,
he ar t
H e s e rv e th t he s e rvan t
H e that l o v e s a r o sy c he e k
H e who hath b e nt him o e r t he d e ad
’
Hi s j ante Up thr o u t he mi lk y e way e

H isto ri an b ard p hil o s o p he r c o mbine d
, , ,
H o me the y b ro u ght he r warrio r d e ad

H o me T o t he g l o ry that w as G re e c e
H o w b o ldly d o th i t f ro nt u s ho w m aj e sti c all y
H o w c am e i t y o u re su m e t he v o id an d nu ll
H o w li g ht t he t o u c he s a e that kiss r
H o w li g ht w e go ho w s o ft w e sk im ,
D d 2
420 IN DEX OF FIRST W ORDS
How w e t it w r h aring t h d o wnward stre am

s e e e, e e
H o w sw t i t w r if wi tho t f b l f ri g ht
ee ,
e e, u ee e
H w sw e t l y t hat b ll w rb l d t h wate r
’
o e e a e o er e
H w sw t t h ai i s
o H w f air t h s c e
ee e r o e ne
H ng ry a d wild t o c l aim th ir p ro pe rty

u n , e
Hun t G d s c attle u p n G o d s ai hills

o
’
o
’
n
Hu sh m y b o nny b ab e —hu sh a d b e still

, , n
H u sh my d ar li still a d sl m b e r e , e n u
I am n are s t nighting al
t he e e
I aris e f r o m dr ams o f th e ee
I a k d m y f ir o happy d y
’
s a ne a
I c harm t hy l if e
I c ld hav l au g he d m y s lf t o S c o rn t o fin d
ou e e
I c rawl d t o y o u e
I f l t o t who s f ate
e n , e
I f f ate Lo v e s d ar am b i ti n m a
’
e o r
I f I had tho g ht tho u c o lds t have di e d

u u
I f I w e r d ad y d s o me tim s say P o r C ild ’

h
’ ’
e e 7 ou e o .
, ,
I f t he v e ri s t wo u ld li ck m y hand
e cu r
I f th wo u ld st vi w fair M lr s aright
ou
’
e e o e
I hav b n h r b f r
e ee e e e o e
I hav d am d a dre ary dre am

e re e
I hav had p l ay m ate s I hav had c o m p ani ns

e , e o
I kn o w a li tt l g ard n c l s e e -
o e
I l e an m y c he k t o t he c o ld g r e y p ill o w
e
I l o v e d hi m o t a d y et o w he i g n
n n n s o e
I l o v e d y o u E v e l yn all t he whi l
, , e
I l o v th — I l o v e t h
e ee ee
I l o v e th o t I d aree n t l v th e g , e no o e e o
I m t a t rav ll e r f r o m a anti q e l and

e e n u
I m we ari g awa J e n
’ ’
n , a
I he c ame wi th y e s o f fl am
n e e
Inse ct l o ve r o f t he s n u
I t h l o ng sunny afte rno o n

n e
I t he r e d ro se l nd n o t a mil
n -
a e
422 IN DEX OF FIRS T W ORDS
Le t b e g in an d c arry u p this c o rp se
us
Le ve t t o t he g rav e d e sc e nd
Li f e we v e b e e n l o ng t o g e the r
’
Lif ts m e t o t he g o ld e n d o o rs
Lik e a dre am thro u gh sl e e p she glid d e
Lik e a f o rg o tte n l t play d o al o n u e,

’
n e
Lik Al e x a d I will re ign

e n er
Lik e a si ck child that kno we th n o t his m o the r w hil e

bl s s e se
Like t he l e av s o f t he f o re st wh n S u mm r i s g r e n
e e e e
Li pe d i nu m b rs an d t he nu m b rs c am
s n e , e e
Li t n t o m e as whe n y o u he ard o u f athe

s e ,
r r
Li ttle f e e t ac ro s s t he l awn
Li ttle g o ssi p b li the a d hale ,
n
L o a E nglish m ansi o n f o nd e d
, n u
a third m an r o s o e t h w av e
’
Lo e r e
Lo ne o n t he fi r b ranch his r attl e no te u nvari e d

-
,
-
Lo ng I f o llo we d happy g id e s u
Lo ng p ro c ssio n Still p assing t o a d f o

e n r
Lo v e d whe n m y l o ve f ro m all b t th e had fl o wn

, u e
Lo v i m y b o s o m li ke a b e
e n e
Lo v e lie st m e e k e st b li the st kinde st

, , ,
Lo v strik e s b u t o n e ho u r— Lo v Tho se ne v e r l o v d
e e e
L o v t hy m o th r li ttl o e
e e ,
e n
M ry mine that a t Mary s r o s

a r
’
e
M en g rant d th t hi s sp ch w a wis
e a ee s e.
M en h v b n b r av e b t w o m n hav b n b r av r
a e ee ,
u e e ee e
M en s aid h aw stra g visi s e s n e on
M t h g h t I s w t h g r v w h r La r a l y
e ou a e a e e e u a
M i ghty p o t s i t h ir mis ry d ad
e n e e e
Mi r re D o mi n
se e , e
M th r I c anno t mind m y wh l
o e ee
M th r s p rattl m th r s kiss
o e e, o e
’
M ch hav I t a ll d i t h r alms o f g ld
u e r ve
’
n e e o
M i c by t h night wind s e t
us e -
n
I N DE X OF FIRST W ORDS 423
M s ic wh s ft v i c s d i
u ,
en o o e e
My d y s am ng t h D ad p st
fl
a o e e ar e a
My h r t ac h s
ea d a dro wsy n m bn ss p ains
e ,
an u e
My l dy s ms f i vo ry
a ee o
My littl S w h lo k d f r m th g htf l y s
e on , o o
’
o ou u e e
My Lo rd ha n d f th s w t s g y s ee o e e o e re a
My p ar nt s b o w a d l d th m f o rth
e ,
n ea e
My s lf wh n y ng did ag rl y f r q nt
e e ou e e e ue
M y p ri ghtl y n ig hb r
s go n b f r e ou e e o e
Mys te ri s N ight whe n

ou firs t p ar nt k w o ur e ne
M y y o th w a happy
u b t this h r b lik i b s t
s u ou e e s e
N ay , y e ar e min whil I h ld m y li f e e o e
Nee dy k f rind r whi th r y o g ing ?

n i e -g e e ar e u o
N v e r st p s t h s ari g v l t r
e oo e o n u u e
N ig hting l s warb l d wi th t
a e e ou
N ig ht i t h l o n s m O ct o b r
n e e o e e
N C i Inj r s—
o a n inj r d u e un u e
N m o r o f dr ami g
o e e n
N orc ul d hi li p s a d p drawn sig h r strain

o s ee -
e
N o swo rd Of wr th h ri g ht a m whi l d
’
a er r r
N t b r ath c r pt t hr g h t h r o sy ai
o a e e ou e r
N t a dru m w a h ard
o t f n ral no tes e , no a u e
N t a fl o we r t o b p re s t o f t he f o o t th t f alls o t
o e a n
N t a whisp r s t irs t h g l o m
o e e o
N t f ro m t h g r and o ld m s te rs
o e a
N wh i d d
o e F s he nc h li s
ea ar e e e
N o w sl e p s t h l nd o f ho u s s
e e a e
0 Al bi n O my m th r I sl
o o e e
O f l will y m ar y t he w o rm fo
oo , w if 7
e r r a e
O G d f o r g iv m h x lai m d
’ ’
o ,
e e, e e c
OG d l t m b r athe a d l k p at t h sk y
o e e e , n oo u e
O hark O he ar , h w thin a d c l ar o n e
0 H l n f ir b y o nd c o m p ar
e e a , e e
0 Mary go d c all t h c attl ho m

,
an e e e
ON ightingal tho u s re ly a t e u r
0 S he ik I c anno t l e av e the e s
, o
0 te ll m f ri e nds whil e y t y h ar
e, , e e e
O t h F r nc h a e i t he b ay
e e r n
0 Tho i that m y s te ri o s shrin

u, n u e
0 what a l o d a d f arf l shri k w a th ru n e u e s e e
Ob s cu r ly s p tte d t o t h d o o r a d th nc
e o e , n e e
O
’
R o slin all that dr ary ni ght
er e
Of a lif liv e d s o m wh r I kn w o t
e e e e, o n
Of ll t h g irls that a s o sm ar t
a e re
Oft i t h s till y ni g ht
n e
Of t w o that di e d l as t nig ht
Oh b r athe o t hi s nam l t it sl e p i t he shad
e n e, e e n e
Oh b t t o b r ath t h b r ath
u e e e e
Oh c o ld I f e e l a s I hav f l t
u e e
Oh G o d
, t o think M an e v r e
Oh had I l iv d i t hat g r at d ay
,
e n e
Oh t h li tt l e m o r a d ho w m c h it is
, e e, n u
Oh what a h ar t s b d i ng m l dy
, e -
u u e o
Oh w o rld
, o h li f o h t im , e , e
Onc i a g o ld e n ho r
e n u
Onc mo r i m o r than b rid al b a ty stands

e e n e e u
Onc po n a midnight dr ary whil I p nd r d w ak a d

e u e , e o e e , e n
we ary
O ne hav I m rk e d t h happ i s t gu s t
e a , e e e
O n ei the r hand Wi th Mil t n an d wi th K ats o e
O E ly si an l awn s
n
O ne m rni ng all al o n
o , e
On E tt ri c k s m o u nt ain g r e e n
’
O e w o rd i s t o o o fte n p r o f ane d
n
O this swe t b ank y

n r h ad thri c e sw t a d d ar
e ou e ee n e
O y o u r li v e s he h ie k d an d c i e d he is b u t ne wl y
’
n s s r r ,
d ad e
O p n he r I fl g t he shu tte r wh n wi th m any a flirt a d

e e un ,
e ,
n
fl tte r u
O r signal f fig ht that f ro m m o nar chs w e dre w

u or
S lo w sinks m o re l o ve ly e r e his r ac e b e r u n
S m all ho pe m y girl f r a he lm t o hid e
, , o
S o ft t o u c h invisib le
S o le Po si tive o f N ight
S o le s o vr an o f t h Vale e
S o me tim e s o l o ne l y m o untain m e re s
n -
S o m e time s wo nde ring so l u
S o o n o l ate s ard o ni c Fate

r
S o rro w said Mahm o u d i s a re ve r nd thing

,
’
,
‘
e
S o sl e e p fo r e v e r sl e p 0 m arb l e p air
, e ,
S o u ls o f p o e ts d e ad a d g o ne n
S o ul w as like a star a d dw l t ap ar t ,
n e
S o u nd t he l o u d timb re l o e E gypt s d ark se a ’

r
’
Sp e ak n o t t hy s pe e ch m y b o u ghs am o ng
Spl ndi d a st ar 7
e ,
Spre adi n g May s l e afle ss b l o ms i a d am p n o o k

’
o n
Star i s o t e qu al t o star o bl o sso m t he sam e as b lo ss m

n ,
n r o
Stay stay,
Still in he r we b d li ghts e
Stran g e i s it n o t 7 that f t he m yr i ads who o
S u c h a s o ft fl o ating wi tc he ry o f s o u nd
S we e t m y child I liv fo r the , e e
S we e t nu rslin g s o f t he ve rnal skie s

S we e t strang e r who m I c alle d m y wi fe ,
Ta k m away a d i t he l we st d p
e e ,
n n o ee
T ars idl te ars I kno w n o t what th y m an

e ,
e ,
’
e e
T nd r b ing s ang li c al
e e e e
m
Thank H av n t h c ri is e e e s
That fi rst b a ty sho ld b fi S ln t m i g ht

e u u e r .
That L rd Ar nd lo u e
Th t v ry night whil g ntl sl p

a e , e e e ee
Th b e h ms
ee ar o d t h b l sso m d vin
u on un e o e e
T h b e e s that s ar f b l o o m
e o or
T h b lls a ringi g As i m e t
e e re n . s e
T he b lls f S hand n
e o o
I N DE X OF FIRST WORDS 42 7
T he billo ws whi te n a d t h d p se as h av e
n e ee e
T he b ri g htne ss o f t he w o rld 0 t ho u o nc f re , e e
T he c l e are s t e y e s i n all t he wo rld

T he c u rv e s o f t he whi t e o w l swe e p ing
T h f aire s t fl o w r T he b r ae s o E ttri c k e v e r saw
’
e e
T he fi e r c e Ju l y whe n fl e e ts w e re s c atte re d as f o am
T he fl o at i g c l o d t he ir s ta te Shall l nd
n u s e
T he fl o w e rs o f t he su n t hat is s unk e n
T he f o rms o f t h d p ar te d
e e
T he f o r b o ards o f t he c o ffin lid

u
T he f r i t lik p rf m e o f t h g o ld n f r z e
u -
e e u e e u
T h g l o ri e s o f o u r b l o o d an d st at e
e
T he g re e n g re e n g rass t he g li tte ring g ro v e

, ,
T h hand that r o u nd e d P t r s d o m
’
e e e e
T h har p that o nc e thro g h T ara s halls

’
e u
T he I sl s o f G r e c t he Isl e s o f G re e c e
e e e,
T h k e n s ancti ty
e e
T he ki g l y b ard
n
T h Ki g s d au g ht r 0 N o r o w ay
’ ’
e n e
T he l ands c ap e all m ad e shar p a d c l e ar

, n
T he l ark n o w l e av e s hi w at r y ne s t
’
s
T he l e av s a e f allin g
e r s o am I
T he li tt l e hands t hat ne v e r s o u g ht
T he L o rd f ro m o u t H is cl o u d
T he l o s t d ay s o f m y l if u ntil t o d ay e -
T he mild s t m a e r d ma
’
e nn n
T he m o nth o f Mar c h w o re o n ap ac e
T he mu l ti tu dino u s Bill o ws
T he mu rmu r o f t he m o rni n g g ho s t u
T he ni ght i s g o n e
T he no o n o f au tu mn s g l o w
’
The n ro se f ro m se a t o sk y t he wild f are we ll

T he n think I o f de e p shad o ws o t he g rass n
T he o d o ro u s pu r pl e o f a n e w bo rn ro se -
T he Old y e ar s d e ad hands a e f ll o f the ir d e ad fl o we rs

’
r u
T he p ag e ant o f his b l e e d in g h ar t e
28 I N DEX OF FIRS T W ORDS
T he p e o pl e — ah t he p e o ple ,
T he R ainb o w c o m e s a d g o e s n
T he R av e n ne v e r fli tting s till i s si tting s till i s s itting

, , ,
The re ar e swe e t fl o we rs that o nly b lo w by night

The r e i s a g arde n in he r fac e
T h re is a stre am Springi g fa o ff
e , n r
Th re i s n o m si c in t he lif
e u e
The re i s n o s te rne r m o ralis t than Ple asu r e
Th re i s o n e Mind o n e o mnipre se t Mind

e ,
n
Th re s a g re at te xt in G al ati ans
e
’
The re sat a Lady all o t he g ro u nd n
The re s s tatu e s g racing this no b l e pl ac e i

’
n
The re tho u s itte s t n o w a d the n tho u mo an e st n
The re w as a l ad y live d in a hall

The re w as ne v e r myste ry
The re w as tu rning o f ke ys an d c re aking o f l o cks ,
T h R o m an whe n his b u rnin g he ar t

e ,
T he s e c re ts o f t he win d it s in g s
T he s e lf t o rt ri g s o p his t wil d R o u sse au
-
u n ,
T he shar p s t o rm c u t s he r f o re h ad b are e
T h sil v e r c hain o f s o u nd
e
T he skie s hav e su k a d hid t he pp e r sno w

n , n u
T he s o ft g re e n will o w s p ring ing

T he s o u ndi ng c at ar act
T he s p a c i o u s fi r m am e t o hi g h n n
T he s tar o f t he un c o nq u e re d will
T he s t arr y G alil e o wi th hi s w o e s ,
T he visi o n o f s c ar c e a m o m e nt
T h v o i c e o f f rie nds aro u nd t he b d
e e
T he v o i c e o f y o re
T he warm g re e n mu ffl e d Cu mno r hills
,
-
T he w at e r c o m e s d o wn at Lo d o re
T he W e dding Mar c h o f Me n d e lss o hn
T he wind a e hi gh o H e ll e s w av
’
s r n e
T he w o rld i s t o o mu c h wi th u s l at e an d s o o n
T he W o rld s a b u bb l e a d t he Li f e o f M a
’
, n n
4 30 IN DE X OF FIRS T W ORDS
T o m ix wi th King s in t h lo w lu st f sw y e o a
T o p l ay at l v
fl
o e
T t ll Of t h w o nd r f l d ay s a c o ming
o e , e e u -
Tr sting t o his n bl s t f s
u o e oe
Tully w a o t l q nt as tho
s n so e o ue u
Twas o t th s s o ls th t d i p ain
’
n o e u a e n
Twas wh n t h s p s al tim f M ay
’
e e ou e o
Tw d said t o Till
ee
Tw nty y ars h nc e m y y e s may g ro w

e e e e
Two u ld s av u s so m c h b the r whe n we d b th b e

’
e u o
’
o ano t h r
e
Unde r t he m ay she st o o p d t o t he r o wn ’
,
c
Ung rate fu l Fl o re nc e D ante sl e e p s af ar

Unl e ss y o u p ard o n what shall I d o Lo rd , ,
Up an d s p ak e t he S wan ne c k hi g h -
Up o n t he g o ld cl o u ds m e tro po litan
Val i I d a l ve li r
e n , o e
V ry tr e t h lin ts sing
e u , e ne
Vi cto rio u s me f e arth o m o re n o , n
Wand rin g b tw e n tw o wo rlds o e d e ad

e e e ,
n
W atc hing t he pu ls f t h c a d i d o wn as e o e rs e , o wn
wi th th m e
W hav all o f
e h m an h art
e us one u e
W l c m b d b sid t he r se
e o e, u e e o
W e ll h ar a m air lil ting at u r e we milking

’
e n e o -
W r I a tr mb li g l af
e e e n e
W w at c h d h
e b r athi g thro t h ni ght
’
er e n
’
e
Wha ll b y m y c alle r he rrin 7

’
u
’
W h t am I 7a
W hat a s c re am Of ag o ny
W hat b ird so si g s y t so d o e s wail 7 n , e
W hat r o ho s h ld g ds p ro t ct o f d e ar
e e
’
ur u e o o e
W hat E lysiu m hav e w kno wn e
W hate v e r in he r sight I d se e m ’
I N DEX OF FIRST W ORDS 43 1
W hat far re achin g N m esis s tirr d him e e
W hat hath h l o st that su c h g r at g rac e hath w o

e e n 7
Wh t ills t h sc ho l r s l if assail
a e a
’
e
W hat le af f rin g d l g nd ha nts ab o t t hy Shap e

- e e e u u
What m a has m ad f ma n e o n
W hat m ans y bl az o hig h

e on e n 7
W hat t he so ft S o th W st r 7
’
s u -
e e
W h n at ho m al n I it
e e o e s
Whe n half g ds g -
o o
W h n I m d ad my d ar s t
e a e , e e
W h n I lo d y I c an t b t all w
e v
’
ou,
’
u o
Whe n N at r Shro ds h rse lf ntranc e d

u e u e , e
W h n N r pe i h d by t he j ste s t d m
e e o r s
’
u oo
W he n o ur wo rld d af d ar -
e en
’
e
Wh n She c m t t he N t he b o w p o r t
e a e o e r
Whe n su mm e r s ho rly m ll wing c ha g ’

u - e o n e
Wh n t h b r z o f a j o yf l d awn b l w f r e
e e ee e u e e
W h n t h G o d s will s alli s fre

e e
’
e e
W h n t h l am p i shatte r d
e e s e
W h n t h li ttl w b it h ar t
e e e ee e
W h n t h w mad Mo the r mil d

e e ne -
e s e
W he n t hy b e a ty app ars u e
W h re B aly he ld o f ld his awf l re ign

e o u
Whe r r w tre ad t i ha nt d ho l y g ro nd
e e
’
e
’
s u e ,
u
W he re i s t h g rav f Si Arth r O K lly n 7

e e o r u
’
e
W h r i s t hy fa
e e d ha nt te r al Vo i c e 7 vour
’
u ,
e n
W he r r sts t h ap wi thin t h l f
e e e s e ea
W h r w ate rs g sh d d f r i t tr e s g re w
e e u e an u - e
W he th r at N ai hap u o B abyl n
e s r r o
W hith r midst f alli g d w

e ,
’
n e
W h l d lif s d ll r nd
’
h
’ ’
oe er t as r av e e u ou
W ho v r s aw t h arli e s t ro
e e e e se
W ho f e ars t o s p ak f N in ty e i g ht 7 e o e -
W ho i h t hat c o m e th lik a ho o u d g e s t 7
’
s e , e n n r u
W ho on e ar t h hav m ad h irs e e us e
W ho s s tr iving Parnass s t o c lim b

’
u
4891 IND E X OF FI RS T W ORDS
W e a themre am e f m e mfi w
W hi d be tuve d uf e arth m d sky anfi m be y c n d ai wm n t hat i i d

5 t
mme me hmuk ahmluw at tfi
fl
fs e t
W ith the b re w u 1 1 1 111 1 1 1
1
3 in t he musi c al w hlor s
m m m m ur m
,
e m end m
W he th whiuh mny wn h the d e t

W t ww m mm w m mfi m w m
b
Ta m w fima m w
rm mr a m
Ye a ma n e: W et
f
M ar gi t
Ym a m fi m m fi k
‘
—m k hge
I N D E X O F P OE T S
W IT H DATE S OF B I RT H AN D DE A T H
ADD I S ON , J O S E P H (1 67 2
MARK M D (1 7 2 1
AKE N SID E , , .
ALLI N GHAM WI LLI AM (1 82 4 ,
ARN OL D E D W I N Sir (1 832

, ,
ARN OL D MAT T H E W (1 82 2
,
AY T OU N WI LLI AM E M ON ST OU N E Pr o f e ss o r
, D , (1 81 3
BA C ON FRAN CI S Visc o nt St Alb ans (1 5 61

, , u .
BAI L E Y PHI LI P JAM E S (1 81 6

,
BAI LLI E JOAN N A (1 762

,
B AR B AU LD (AI KI N ) AN N A LE TIT I A Mr s (1 7 4 3
, , .
B ARHAM RI CHARD HARRI S R (1 7 88

, , ev .
B ARN AR D (LI N DS AY ) AN N E Lady (1 7 5 0 , ,
BAR N E S WI LLI AM R v (1 801

, , e .
B E ATT I E JAM E S LL D (1 7 3 5
, , . .
B E A UM ON T FRAN CI S (1 5 84—1 6 1 6)
,
B E DD OE S TH OM AS LOVE L (1 803
,
L
B LAK E WI LLI AM (1 7 5 7
,
BL OOM FI E L D R OB E RT (1 7 66 ,
B OW LE S WI LL I AM LI SL E R (1 7 62
, , ev .
B RE T ON NI CHOL A S (1 5 45 —1 626
,
B RON T E E MI LY JAN E (1 81 8
,
B ROOKS C HAR LE S WI LLI AM SHI RL E Y (1 81 6

,
B ROW N TH OM A S E D W AR D Re v (1 830
, , .
B ROW N E WI LLI AM (1 5 9 1
, 1 5 90—1 643 o 1 64 5 , or , r
BROW N I N G E LI ZAB E T H B ARRE T T M rs (1 806

, , .
B ROW NI N G R OB E RT (1 81 2
,
B RYAN T WI LL I AM C ULL E N (1 7 9 4—1 87

,
B UCHAN AN R OB E RT (1 841 ,
B URN S ROB E RT (1 7 5 9
,
B UT L E R SAM U E L (1 61 2 o 1 600
, , r
B YR ON G E ORG E G ORD ON N OE L Lo rd (1 7 88
, ,
43 6 I N DE X OF P OETS
CAL VE RLE Y C HARLE S S T U ART (1 83 1
,
CAM P B E LL TH OM A S (1 7 7 7
,
CAM PI ON THOM A S (1 5 67 1 61 9 o r
,
-
,
CAN N I N G G E ORG E Right H o n (1 7 70

, , .
CARE W TH OM A S (1 5 9 5 1 5 9 8 —l 639
,
CARE Y H E N RY (1 69 6
,
C HATT E RT ON THOM A S (1 7 5 2 ,
C HA UC E R G E OFFR E Y (1 3 40 2
,
‘
C HUR CHI LL C HARL E S Re v (1 7 3 1, , .
CLAR E J OHN (1 7 93
,
C LOU G H ART HU R H U G H (1 81 9
,
C OL E RI D GE HART L E Y (1 7 9 6 ,
C OL E RI D G E SAM U E L TAYL OR (1 7 7 2
,
C OLLI N S WI LLI AM (1 7 2 1
,
C OW L E Y AB RAH AM (1 6 1 8
,
C OW P E R WI LLI AM (1 7 3 1
,
CRABB E G E ORG E Re v (1 7 5 4
, , .
CRA SHAW R I CHAR D Cano n Of Lo re tto

, , .
(1 6 1 3 —1 64 9
,
C UN N I N G HAM ALL AN (1 7 84 ,
DAV E N AN T (o r D AV E N AN T ) WI LL I AM Sir (1 606 ’

, ,
DAVI DS ON J OH N (1 85 7 ,
D E KK E R TH OM A S (1 5 7 0
,
D E N HAM JOHN Sir (1 61 5

, ,
DI R D I N C HARLE S (1 745
,
D OB E LL SYD N E Y THOM P S ON (1 824

,
D OD G S ON C HAR LE S LU TW I D G E Re v LE W I S CARROLL
, , .
3 2 — 1 89 8
(1 8 )
D ON N E JOHN D r De an Of St Paul s (1 5 7 3—1 63 1 )
, , .
, .
’
DRUM M ON D WI LL I AM Of H awt ho rnde n (1 5 85

, ,
DRY D E N JOHN (1 63 1 ,
B E N E ZE R T H E C ORN LAW R H YM E R
E L LI OT T , E -
(1 7 81
E LLI OT T JA N E (JE AN ) (1 7 2 7
,
E M E R S ON R AL P H W AL D O (1 803
,
FI T ZG E RAL D , E D W ARD (1 809

43 8 I N DEX OF P OE T S
LOVELA CE RI CHAR D Co lo ne l (1 61 8 , ,
LOVE R SAM UE L (1 7 9 7
,
LOW E LL JAM E S R U SSE LL (1 81 9

,
LYAL L ALFRE D Sir (1 835

, ,
LYL Y (LI LL Y LY LI E ) JOHN (1 5 54 , ,
LYT T ON E D W AR D G E ORG E E ARL E LYTT ON B UL W E R (Lo rd LYT T ON )

,
-
1 03 —1 87 3 )
( 8
LYT T ON , E D W AR D R OB E RT B UL W E R (E arl LYTT ON ) (1 83 1
MA C A UL AY TH OM A S B AB I N GT ON Lo rd (1 800
, ,
MA CKAY C HARL E S (1 81 4 ,
MAH ON Y FRAN CI S SYLVE ST E R FAT H E R PR OUT (1 804

,
M AN S E L H E N R Y LON G U E VILL E D D D an
, , . .
, e
MARVE LL AN D RE W (1 62 1 ,
M A SS E Y G E RAL D (1 82 8
,
ME RE D I T H G E ORG E (1 82 8 ,
MI CKL E WI LLI AM J UL I US (1 7 35
,
MI LL I K E N r MI LLI KIN RI CHARD ALF RE D (1 7 67

, o ,
MI LM A N H E N RY HART D D De an o f St Paul s (1 7 9 1
, , . .
’
MI L N E S R I CHAR D MON CK T ON Lo rd H o ght o n (1 809

, ,
u
MI LT ON J OHN (1 608 ,
MON T G OM E RY JAM E S (1 7 7 1 ,
MON T RO S E JAM E S GRA HAM Mar q is f (1 61 2

, ,
u O
MO ORE T HOM A S (1 7 7 9
,
MORRI S LE W I S Sir (1 833

, ,
MORRI S WILL I AM (1 834

,
MOUL T RI E JOHN Re (1 7 99 , , v .
NE W AN JOHN H E N RY D D Cardinal (1 801

M , , . .
,
N ORT ON CAR OL I N E E LI ZA B E T H SARAH H o n (1 808

, , .
PAR N E LL TH OM A S D D Ar chde ac o n (1 67 9
, , . .
,
PATM ORE C OVE N T RY KE B S E Y DI G HT ON (1 82 3

,
PE R CY THOM A S Bisho p (1 7 2 9 r 1 7 2 8
, , , o
PHI LI P S AM B ROS E (1 67 1 r 1 67 5
, , o
P O E E D GAR AL L A N (1 8 1 1
,
P OP E AL E XA N D E R (1 688
,
IN DEX OF P OETS .
43 9
PB AE D ,WIN T HR OP MA CKW ORT H (1 802

PRI OR MATT HE W (1 664
,
PR OCT E R B RYAN WAL L E R B ARR Y C ORNW ALL

, (1 7 87
R OG E RS SAM U E L (1 7 63
,
R OS SE T T I C HRIS TI N A G E ORGIN A (1 830

,
R OS S E TTI DAN T E GAB RI E L (1 82 8

,
S C OT T WALT E R Sir (1 7 7 1
, ,
S HAKE SP E ARE WI LL I AM (1 5 64 ,
S HE LL E Y PE R CY B Y SSHE (1 7 92
,
S HE N ST ON E WI LLI AM (1 7 1 4 ,
S HI RL E Y JAM E S (1 5 9 6
,
S I D N E Y PHI LI P Sir (1 5 5 4
, ,
SM ART C HRI ST OPH E R (1 7 22—1

,
SMI T H ALE XAN D E R (1 830

,
S M IT H H ORAT I O (HORA C E ) (1 7 7 9
,
SMI T H JAM E S (1 7 7 5
,
S OUT H E Y R OB ER T D C L (1 7 74
, , . . .
S PE N S E R E DM U N D (1 5 5 2 o 1 5 5 1
, , r
ST E BBIN G HE N RY Re v D D (1 79 9
, , .
, . .
S T E VE N S ON R OB E RT LOUI S (1 850,
S UCKLI N G JOHN Sir (1 609 , ,
S W I FT JON AT HA N De an Of St Patri c k s (1 667

, , .
’
S W I N BURN E AL G E RN ON CH AR L E S (1 83 7
,
T AL F OUB D ,TH OMA S N OON Si (1 7 9 5 , r
TE N N Y S ON ALFRE D Lo rd (1 809 , ,
TE N N Y S ON F RE D E RI CK (1 807,
THA CK E RAY WI LLI AM MAKE PE A CE (1 81 1,
TH OM S ON JAM E S (1 700 ,
T RE N CH R I CHAR D CH E N E VI K D D Arc hb i
, , . .
, sho p (1 807
T U RN E R C HAR E S T E N N Y S ON (1 808
, L
VAU G HAN H E N RY (1 622 ,
VER E AUBR E Y D E Sir (1 7 88

, ,
VE RE AUB RE Y THOMA S D E (1 8 1 4
,
4 40 I N DE X OF P OE T S
WALLE R E D M U N D (1 606
,
WART ON T H OM A S (1 7 2 8
,
WAT T S AL ARI C AL E XAN D E R (1 79 7

,
W ATT S I S AA C D D (1 67 4
, , . .
W E BST E R J OH N (1 5 80 —1 62 5
,
W E L S C HARL E S JE R E MI AH (1 7 9 9
L ,
WHI T E H E N RY KI RK E (1 7 85
,
WHI T E JOS E PH B AN C O (1 7 7 5
,
L
WI S ON J OH N Pr fe ss r C HRI ST OPH E R N ORT H

L , , o o
’
(1 7 8 5
WI T H E R (o WI T H E RS ) G E OR G E (1 5 88
r ,
W OLFE CHAR L E S R (1 7 9 1
, , ev .
W ORDSW ORT H WI LLI AM (1 7 7 0,
W OR SL E Y P HILI P S T AN H OP E (1 83 5
,
W OT T ON H E N RY Sir (1 5 68
, ,
Y O U NG , E D W ARD , Re v .
, D CL
. . .
(1 683,o r 1 68 1
E ND O F V OL . II
O xf rd H r c H rt Pri t r
o : o a e a ,
n e t o t he U iv r ity
n e s

ThePoets 10139924

Încărcat de

Informații document

Titlu original

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

ThePoets 10139924

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

VE CE N T U RI E S OF

C ON T E N T S T h D d H d — N c : ey N iea — H w t an e e ssar u san c e s o o

AN Evange l ist a m o ng t he he athe n fo r thirty ye ars .

Supre m e P o n t ifi fo r t we nty W h at is he n o w ?

t he hi st o r y o f l e arning Crus ade s ar e n o n o ve l ti e s T he .

c l o s e o f t he e ighte e nth an d e arl i e r p art o f t he nine te e nth

an d Schi ll e r in G e rm any ; d e Muss e t Vict o r Hug o w ith

t he R o m anticists in Fr anc e ; W o rds wo r t h at t he he ad o f

t he L ake Sch o o l in Eng l an d s ang an d f o ught s ang t o

ﬁgh t E l iz ab e th an p o e ts w age d n o wars t he y we r e dis

c o ve re rs with o ut be ing in t he re al m o f f ancy b u cc ane e rs

as s o m e o f th e m w e r e o n t he Sp anish M ain Thes e o the rs

we re inv ad e rs o f e st abl ish e d king d o ms as we r e t he Is rae l

ite s o f C an aan Of all t he c o mb at ant p o e t s W o r ds wo rth

had s e t hims e l f t he h ar d e st t a s k an d w o n t he m o st sign a l

vi c t o ry His h and w as ag ainst e ve ry m an In t he r u d e

b at tl e he d id n o t sh u n t o wo u nd a n atur al all y— a fo re r u nne r ,

l ik e Co wp e r in t he o ns l aught u p o n p o e tic dic t i o n an

t ho ugh in t he p an o p l y o f a C ap t ain ; ﬁghting fo r t he m o s t

c o m m o npl ac e s by p o e tic i d e as cl o the d in pl ain p u re ,

Engl ish wi t h rhy t hm t o m at c hf Ab o ve all i t is t o him

he r al d e d by Co wp e r he s u bst anti all y o p e n e d t he n e w age

O f Eng l ish ve rs e which c l o s e s fo r us with T e nnys o n Hi s

f a m o us br e thre n in s o ng m o re o r l e ss unc o nsci o us l y e ve n

m o c king B yr o n u n de rwe nt his in ﬂue nc e w hi l e t h e y vaunte d

the ir ind e p e nd e nc e T he l ate r p o e tr y o f t he nin e te e nth

c e ntury has b e e n as a wh o l e th o u gh with an ad diti o n o f

m e l o dy o f hi s h o use an d l in e age H e acc o mp lishe d a gran d

wo r k in virtue o f sp l e n did p o e tic gifts e xtrao rdin ary phil o ,

s o phic insight an d o bstin ate in do mit ab l e c o ur age As

ne ce ss ary a p ro p e rty fo r him I fe ar w as as fo r m any gre at , , ,

p o e ts an abs o l ute an d in his c as e inn o ce nt inc ap acity

fo r r e c o gnizing t he e xist e nc e o f singe rs be si de s hi ms e l f .

Is it an inte lli gibl e c o ntradicti o n in t e rms t o s ay th at ,

whi le he w as a d dicte d t o w arm m o r al indi gn ati o n an d ,

a d mir ati o n he had a c o l d h e art ?

pe rh aps e ss e nti al If it b l in de d him t o absur d i t i e s in t he

e x agg e r at i o n o f his critic al r in c i p le s i t a l s st l d hi m

ag ainst ign o r ant ridic u l e G all ant l y he ﬂu ng d o wn b e fo re

a dve r s ari e s w h o m his inspir ati o n b e wi l d e r e d an d e nr ag e d

n o l e ss th an his e cc e ntrici t i e s t he g aunt l e t o f his P e t e r Be ll

w e at he r c o c k le ss Ki l ve Chi l d l e ss Ti m o thy Exp o s t u l ati o n

an d R e p l y with dive r s m o r e as st r ang e

p o e t c e as e d t o sing un l e ss t o an inne r circ l e w h at wisd o m ,

s t i ll wh at un de rst an ding o f t he s o u l o f things T he pri e st

re m ain e d with t he inhe r e nt s ancti t y w hich had j ustiﬁe d his

o rigin al inve stit u r e with t he p o e t s m ant l e W e fe e l hi m

re ady t o go o n pr o phe sying sh o u l d t he c o m missi o n b e

Lite r ary hist o ry sh o ws fe w m o re p athe tic ﬁgure s th an t he

o ld m an , w he n visibl e withi n t he di minishe d ci rc le o f his

t he c aus e o f p o e tic a l t ruth as in yo uth ; with n o f o e s t o

I c ann o t but re c o gni z e th at t he m ass o f his ve rs e has

all y h e r e Ordin ary re ad e rs e ve n w ith a t aste fo r p o e try

ar e s atisﬁe d with a f r ac t i o n o f hi s As i t h appe ns t he fe w .

f avo u rite s ar e ge ne rally t he fr u it o f e arl ie r ye ars B ut .

c o mp aris o ns o f age m ay we l l b e o f inte r e st fo r stud e nts o f

mys e lf with W o r ds wo rth s phi l o s o p hy un l e ss so far as it w as

phi l o s o phy w as o f a kind t o be ar a ve ry inti m ate re l ati o n

spirit in an ange l ic st at e an d its n e w bir t h in t o a n e w

T he f abric with its app o int e d c e n t r e an d l o rd w as d e sign e d

t o b e a d mir a b l y f air an d happy I n all its c o ns t it u e nts f ro m

v alle y winds an d w at e rs it w as m e ant t o d e ve lo p by t he

law o f its be ing int o b e au t y mutu all y gr at e fu l l o vi ng k in d