BY THE SAME AUTHOR. EDWIN the FAIR and ISAAC COMNENUS. Fcp. 8vo. 3s. 6d. A SICILIAN SUMMER, and Other Poems. Fcp. 8vo. 3s. 6d. HENRY S. KING & CO., London. PHILIP VAN ARTEVELDE. A DRAMATIC ROMANCE. IN TWO PARTS. BY SIR HENRY TAYLOR. "DRAMATICA POESIS EST VELUTI HISTORIA SPECTABILIS." Bacon de Augmentis. A NEW EDITION. HENRY S. KING & CO., LONDON. 1876. PREFACE.* As this work, consisting of two Plays and an Interlude, is equal in length to about six such plays as are adapted to representation, it is almost unnecessary to say that it was not intended for the stage. It is properly an Historical Romance, cast in a dramatic and rhythmical form. Historic truth is preserved in it, as far as the material events are concerned—of course with the usual exception of such occásional dilatations and compressions of time as are required in dramatic composition. This is, perhaps, all the explanation which is absolutely required in this place; but as there may be readers who feel an inclination to learn something of an author's tastes in poetry before they proceed to the perusal of what he has written, I will take the opportunity which a preface affords me of expressing my opinions upon two or three of the most prominent features in the present state of poetical literature; and I shall do so the more gladly because I am apprehensive that without some previous intimations of the kind, my work might occasion disappointment to the admirers of that highly coloured poetry which has been popular in these later years. If in the strictures which, with this object, I may be led to make upon authors of great reputation, I should appear to be wanting in the respect due to prevalent opinions,-opinions which, from the very circumstance of their prevalence, must be assumed * Dated London, May, 1834. b |