ADVERTISEMENT

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THE SECOND EDITION.

IN publishing a second edition of this work, the Author will not venture to trouble his readers with any comment upon the notices with which

the first edition has been favoured, in so far as they are purely critical. purely critical. But by more than

one of the writers of those notices (to whom he is indebted for the indulgence with which they have regarded his work) he has been supposed to have made some of his dramatic delineations the vehicle of allusions to persons of distinction

now living. An accidental coincidence of names

appears not unnaturally to have suggested the supposition; and he is desirous to say in this place, that no such allusions as those ascribed to him were in his thoughts when he wrote the passages in question.

The present edition differs from the first only in one or two trifling insertions, in the correction of some faults which have been pointed out in periodical publications, and in the alteration of a few lines here and there, made for the most part with a view to consolidate the rhythm.

LONDON, SEPTEMBER, 1834.

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 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 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 latter 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 to be partaken by many to whom deference is owing,-I trust that it will