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 rythmical form. Historic truth is preserved in it,

as far as the material events are concerned

of course with the usual exception of such occasional 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 opinion upon two or three of the most prominent fea tures in the present state of poetical literature and I shall do so the more gladly, because am apprehensive, that without some previou intimations of the kind, my work might occa sion disappointment to the admirers of the highly colored poetry which has been popula in these latter years. If in the strictures, which with this object, I may be led to make upo authors of great reputation, I should appear be wanting in the respect due to prevaler opinions, opinions which, from the very ci cumstance of their prevalence, must be assume to be partaken by many to whom deference owing, — I trust that it will be attributed, n to any spirit of dogmatism, far less to a lov of disparagement; but simply to the desire exercising, with a discreet freedom, that humb independence of judgment in matters of tast which it is for the advantage of literature th every man of letters should maintain.

My views have not, in truth, been founde upon any predisposition to depreciate the pop lar poetry of the times. It will always produ

a powerful impression upon very young readers, and I scarcely think that it can have been more admired by any than by myself, when I was included in that category. I have not ceased

to admire this poetry in its degree; and the interlude which I have inserted between these plays will show, that, to a limited extent, I have been desirous even to cultivate and employ it: but I am unable to concur in opinion with those who would place it in the foremost ranks of the art: nor does it seem to have been capable of sustaining itself quite firmly in the very high degree of public estimation in which it was held at its first appearance, and for some years afterwards. The poetical taste to which some of the popular poets of this century gave birth, appears at present to maintain a more unshaken dominion over the writers of poetry, than over its readers.

These poets were characterized by great sensibility and fervor, by a profusion of imagery, by force and beauty of language, and by a versification peculiarly easy and adroit, and abounding in that sort of melody, which, by its very obvious cadences, makes itself most pleasing to

an unpractised ear. They exhibited, therefore, many of the most attractive graces and charms of poetry-its vital warmth not less than its external embellishments; and had not the admiration which they excited, tended to produce an indifference to higher, graver, and more various endowments, no one would have said that it was, in any evil sense, excessive. But from this unbounded indulgence in the mere luxuries of poetry, has there not ensued a want of adequate appreciation for its intellectual and immortal part? I confess, that such seems to me to have been both the actual and the natural result; and I can hardly believe the public taste to have been in a healthy state, whilst the most approved poetry of past times was almost unread. We may now, perhaps, be turning back to it; but it was not, as far as I can judge, till more than a quarter of a century had expired, that any signs of re-action could be discerned. Till then, the elder luminaries of our poetical literature were obscured, or little regarded; and we sate with dazzled eyes at a high festival of poetry, where, as at the funeral of Arvalan, the torch-light put out the star-light.