We are not too sure, indeed, that
a "dramatic poem" is not a flat contradiction in terms. At all
events a man of true genius (and such Mr. L. unquestionably is) has no
business with these hybrid and paradoxical compositions. Let a poem be
a poem only, let a play be a play and nothing more. As for "The
Spanish Student," its thesis is unoriginal; its incidents are antique;
its plot is no plot; its characters have no character, in short, it is
a little better than a play upon words to style it "A Play" at all.
PREFACE TO THE RAVEN AND OTHER POEMS
THESE TRIFLES are collected and republished chiefly with a view to
their redemption from the many improvements to which they have been
subjected while "going the rounds of the press." I am naturally
anxious that if what I have written is to circulate at all, it
should circulate as I wrote it. In defence of my own taste,
nevertheless, it is incumbent on me to say that I think nothing in
this volume of much value to the public, or very creditable to myself.
Events not to be controlled have prevented me from making, at any
time, any serious effort in what, under happier circumstances would
have been the field of my choice. With me poetry has not been a
purpose, but a passion; and the passions should be held in
reverence; they must not- they cannot at will be excited, with an
eye to the paltry compensations, or the more paltry commendations,
of mankind
E.
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