ToMyFather
Preface
Thiseditionofthe`SelectPoemsofSidneyLanier’isissuedinthehopeofmakinghispoetryknowntowidercirclesthanhitherto，especiallyamongthestudentsofourhigh-schoolsandcolleges。
Totheseastoolderpeople，thepoemswill，itisbelieved，proveaninspirationfromthestand-pointbothofliteratureandoflife。
ThebiographicalsectionoftheIntroductionrestsinthemainuponDr。Ward’sadmirable`Memorial’prefixedtothe`PoemsofSidneyLanier’
editedbyhiswife，thoughafewadditionalfactshavebeengleanedhereandthere。Formost*oftheBibliographydownto1888IamindebtedtomyHopkinscomrade，Dr。RichardE。Burton，nowofHartford，Conn。，whocompiledoneforthe`MemorialofSidneyLanier’，publishedbyPresidentGilman，oftheJohnsHopkinsUniversity，in1888。
ObligationstootherpublicationsaboutLanierareineveryinstanceacknowledgedintheappropriateplace。
——
*Isay`mostoftheBibliographydownto1888’，becauseDr。Burton’sdifferentpurposeledhimtoexcludeitemsthatcouldnotbeomittedinaBibliographythat，likemine，triestobecomplete。
——
Astotheselectionsmade，Iwishedtoinclude`TheMarshesofGlynn’
andyetnottoexclude`Sunrise’。Butbothcouldnotbeputin，andIfinallygavethepreferenceto`Sunrise’，chieflyonthegroundofitsbeingLanier’slatestcompletepoem。*Ibelieveallwilladmitthatthepoemsselectedfairlyexemplifythegeniusofthepoet。
Thepoemsarearranged，notasinthecompleteedition，butintheirchronologicalorder，theonlyproperone，Ithink，foratext-book。Ofcourse，theyareallgivencomplete。
——
*Lateropiniongenerallyagreesthat\"TheMarshesofGlynn\"
isLanier’sgreatestpoem，andasthiseditionhasnolimitationsofspace，itwouldbeinappropriatetoexcludeit。Thereforeithasbeeninsertedmoreorlessinchronologicalorder（inaccordancewithCallaway’splan），withsomecomments。——AlanLight，1998。
——
IntheNotesIhavemaderathercopiousquotationsfrompoemsfamiliartoEnglishscholars，becauseIhopethatthisbookwillgointothehandsofmanytowhomtheyarenotfamiliar，andtowhomtheoriginaltextsarenoteasilyaccessible。
Andyet，iftheyatallattaintheirend，theNotesmustleadonetowishtoknowmoreofEnglishpoetry，ofwhichLanier’sisbutapart。
AmongthefriendsthathavehelpedmebycounselorotherwiseIgratefullynameMr。CliffordLanier，brotherofthepoet;
ProfessorWm。HandBrowne，oftheJohnsHopkinsUniversity;
Dr。CharlesH。Ross，oftheAlabamaPolytechnicInstitute;
andmycolleaguesintheSchoolofEnglishintheUniversityofTexas，Mr。L。R。HamberlinandProfessorLeslieWaggener。
Chief-justiceLoganE。Bleckley，ofGeorgia，amanoflettersaswellasoflaw，verykindlyputatmyusehiscorrespondencewiththepoet，theoriginaldraftof`Corn’，andhiscriticismsuponthesame。
Mychiefindebtedness，however，istoMrs。SidneyLanier，whohasbeenmostgenerouswithhertimeandherhusband’spapers。
MorganCallaway，Jr。
UniversityofTexas，October1，1894。
ContentsIntroductionI。ABriefSketchofLanier’sLifeII。Lanier’sProseWorksIII。Lanier’sPoetry：ItsThemesIV。Lanier’sPoetry：ItsStyleV。Lanier’sTheoryofPoetryVI。ConclusionPoemsLifeandSongJones’sPrivateArgymentCornMySpringsTheSymphonyThePowerofPrayer;or，TheFirstSteamboatuptheAlabamaRose-moralsTo————，withaRoseUncleJim’sBaptistRevivalHymnTheMocking-birdSongoftheChattahoocheeTheRevengeofHamishTheMarshesofGlynnRemonstranceOppositionMarshSong——AtSunsetABalladofTreesandtheMasterSunriseBibliographySelectPoemsofSidneyLanierIntroductionI。ABriefSketchofLanier’sLife（1842-1881）
SidneyLanierhassorecentlypassedfromusthatitseemsdesirablebrieflytorecountthechiefincidentsofhislife。ThistaskismuchlightenedbyDr。Wm。HayesWard’s`Memorial’，*uponwhich，asstatedinthePreface，isbasedthissectionofmyessay。
BornatMacon，Ga。，February3，1842，SidneyLaniercameofafamilynotedfortheirloveandcultivationofthefinearts。
FromthetimeofQueenElizabethtotheRestoration，severalofhispaternalancestorswereconnectedwiththeEnglishcourtasmusicalcomposersandaspainters。Thefatherofthepoet，however，RobertS。Lanier，wasamostindustriouslawyer，who，afteralingeringillnessofthreeyears，recently**answered`Adsum’
tothesummonsofthesupremetribunal。Thepoet’smother，MaryAnderson，aVirginianofScotchdescent，likewisesprangfromafamilydistinguishedfortheirloveoforatory，music，andpoetry。
——
*Forthefulltitleofworkscitedsee`Bibliography’。
**October20，1893，atMacon，Ga。
——
WithsuchanancestrywearenotsurprisedtolearnthatSidney’searliestpassionwasformusic，andthatinboyhoodhecould，althoughuntutored，playonalmosteverykindofinstrument。Hepreferredtheviolin，inplayingwhichhesometimessankintoadeeptrance，butindeferencetohisfather’sviewgaveitupfortheflute，hispoweroverwhichweshallhearoffartheron。Atfirst，strangetosay，heconsideredmusicunworthyofone’ssoleattention，butlaterhecametorankitashisfullestexpressionofworship。
AtfourteenSidneyenteredtheSophomoreClassofOglethorpeCollege，nearMacon，Ga。，and，withayear’sintermission，graduatedwithfirsthonorin1860，whenjusteighteen。ToProfessorJamesWoodrow，ofOglethorpe，nowPresidentofSouthCarolinaCollege，Lanierdeclaredthatheowed\"thestrongestandmostvaluablestimulusofhisyouth。\"
OngraduatinghewasgivenatutorshipinhisAlmaMater，apositionthathehelduntiltheoutbreakoftheCivilWar。
Thelecture-roomwasnowexchangedforthebattle-field;
inApril，1861，LanierenteredtheConfederateArmyasaprivateintheMaconVolunteersoftheSecondGeorgiaBattalion，anorganizationamongthefirsttoreachNorfolkandthatstillkeepsupitscorporateexistence。Inthespringof1862Lanierwasjoinedbyhisyoungbrother，Clifford;andthroughoutthewareachseemedtoviewiththeotherinbrotherlylove;
for，whilebothwereofferedpromotion，neitherwouldacceptit，sincetodosowouldhaveentailedseparationfromtheother。
Theleisuretimeofhisfirstyear’sserviceSidneyspentinthestudyofmusicandthemodernlanguages。HewasengagedinseveralbattlesinVirginia，butafterwardwastransferred，withClifford，totheSignalService，withhead-quartersatPetersburg。
Herehehadaccesstoasmalllibrary，ofwhichhemadeseduloususe。
In1863hiscompanywasmounted，andservedinVirginiaandNorthCarolina。
Inthespringof1864bothbrothersweretransferredtoWilmington，thehead-quartersoftheMarineSignalService，inwhichtheyremainedtotheendofthewar。Finallythetwobrotherswereseparated，eachbecomingsignalofficer*ofablockade-runner。Sidney’svesselwascaptured，andforfivemonthshewasaprisoneratPointLookout，Md。，withnothingbuthisflutetosolacehim。Itwastheexposureofprison-life，nodoubt，thatfirstledtodeclineofhealthbydevelopingtheseedsofconsumption，adiseasethatwastocarryoffhismotherandthathewastostrugglewiththelastfifteenyearsofhislife。
ReleasedfromprisoninFebruary，1865，hereturnedtoGeorgia，forthemostpartafoot，andreachedhomeMarch15th。
Anaccountofhiswar-lifeisgiveninhisnovel，`Tiger-lilies’，treatedbelow。
——
*Itissometimeserroneouslystatedthateachwasputinchargeofablockade-runner。
——
Duringthesucceedingnineyears（1865-73）hislifewascheckeredindeed。
Seriouslyillforsixweeks，hearosefromhisbedtoseehismothercarriedoffbyconsumptionandtofindhimselfsufferingwithcongestionofthelungs。Slightlyrelieved，Lanierturnedhishandtovariousprojectsformakingaliving：clerkinginahotelinMontgomery，Ala。，fortwoyears;writing*andpublishinghisnovel，`Tiger-lilies’;teachingatPrattville，Ala。，oneyear，duringwhichtime**
hemarriedMissMaryDay，ofMacon，Ga。;studyingandthenpractisinglawwithhisfatheratMacon，Ga。，forfiveyears;now，inthewinterof1872-73，tryingtorecuperateatSanAntonio，Texas，forhemorrhageshadbegunin1868，andacoughhadsetintwoyearslater;and，finally，settlinginBaltimore，December，1873，todevotehimselftomusicandliterature。
——
*April，1867。
**December19，1867。
——
Againsttheson’sdevotionofhislifetomusicandliteraturethefatherprotested，chieflyonbusinessgrounds，andbeggedhimtorejoinhimselfinthepracticeofthelaw。Thankinghisfatherforhisthoughtfulness，Lanierjustifiedhisowncourseintheseearnestwords：\"Mydearfather，thinkhow，fortwentyyears，throughpoverty，throughpain，throughweariness，throughsickness，throughtheuncongenialatmosphereofafarcicalcollegeandofabarearmyandthenofanexactingbusinesslife，throughallthediscouragementofbeingwhollyunacquaintedwithliterarypeopleandliteraryways——Isay，thinkhow，inspiteofallthesedepressingcircumstancesandofathousandmorewhichIcouldenumerate，thesetwofiguresofmusicandpoetryhavesteadilykeptinmyheartsothatIcouldnotbanishthem。
Doesitnotseemtoyouastome，thatIbegintohavetherighttoenrollmyselfamongthedevoteesofthesetwosublimearts，afterhavingfollowedthemsolongandsohumbly，andthroughsomuchbitterness？\"*1*Ofcourse，thefatheryieldedanddidallthathisslendermeanswouldallowtowardkeepinguphisson，whohenceforthdevotedeveryenergytomusicandliterature。
Despitecontinuedill-health，whichnowandagainnecessitatedvisitsofmonths’durationtoFlorida，NorthCarolina，andVirginia，Lanierdidavastamountofwork。HewasengagedasfirstfluteforthePeabodySymphonyConcerts，apositionthathefilledwithraredistinctionforsixyears。Astohisliterarywork，thisbeganwiththepublicationofhisnovel，`Tiger-lilies’，in1867，andinthesameyear，ofoccasionalpoemsin`TheRoundTable’ofNewYork。
`Corn’，publishedin`Lippincott’sMagazine’（Philadelphia）
forFebruary，1875，isthefirstofhispoemsthatattractedgeneralnotice，andtheonethatgainedhimthefriendshipofBayardTaylor。
ToTaylorheowedhisselectiontowritethe`CentennialCantata’，whichgavehimstillgreaternotoriety，though，tobesure，someofitwasnotverygratefultohim。In1876theLippincottspublishedhis`Florida’，andin1877hisfirstvolumeof`Poems’，whichcontainedninety-fourpagesandconsistedchieflyofpieces*2*
previouslypublishedinthemagazines。SoonaftersettlinginBaltimore，LaniermadeacarefulstudyofOldandMiddleEnglish，thefruitsofwhichhepartiallyembodiedincoursesoflecturesgiventohisprivateclassandtothepublic，thelatteratthePeabodyInstitute，in1879。
Duringtheseyears，too，hehadbeensteadilyturningoutpoemsofhighorder。
Onhisbirthday，February3，in1879，hereceivednoticeofhisappointmentasLectureronEnglishLiteratureattheJohnsHopkinsUniversityofBaltimorefortheensuingscholasticyear，withafixedsalary，thefirstsincehismarriage。Inthesummerof1879hewrotehis`ScienceofEnglishVerse’，whichconstitutedthebasisofhisfirstcourseoflecturesattheJohnsHopkinsUniversity。Notwithstandingseriousillness，thissamewinter，1879-80，helecturedatthreeprivateschoolsandkeptuphismusicalengagementatthePeabodyConcerts。
Thenextwinter，1880-81，hecameneardying，butstillkeptwriting（`Sunrise’waswrittenwithafevertemperatureof104Degrees）
andwentthroughhistwelvelecturesattheHopkins，afterwardsembodiedin`TheEnglishNovel’。HowtryingthismusthavebeentohimcanbegatheredfromthefollowingwordsofMr。Ward：
\"Afewoftheearlierlectureshepennedhimself;theresthewasobligedtodictatetohiswife。Withtheutmostcareofhimself，goinginaclosedcarriageandsittingduringhislecture，hisstrengthwassoexhaustedthatthestruggleforbreathinthecarriageonhisreturnseemedeachtimetothreatentheend。
Thosewhoheardhimlistenedinasortoffascinatedterror，asindoubtwhetherthehoardedbreathwouldsufficetotheendofthehour。\"*3*
AfterthisatripwasmadetoNewYorktoarrangeforissuingsomebooksforboys，andfourwereissued，twoposthumously：`Boy’sFroissart’（1878），`Boy’sKingArthur’（1880），`Boy’sMabinogion’（1881），and`Boy’sPercy’（1882）。Anotherwork，anaccountofNorthCarolinasimilartothatofFlorida，wascontractedforandwasdefinitelyplanned，but，owingtoaggravatinginfirmities，couldnotbecompleted。
——
*1*Ward’s`Memorial’，p。xx。f。
*2*Theyarenamedinthe`Bibliography’。
*3*Ward’s`Memorial’，p。xxviii。
——
Fortheendwasnearathand。DesperateillnesshadmadeitnecessarytoseekreliefnearAsheville，N。C。，wherehewasjoinedbyMrs。Lanierandbyhisfatherandstep-mother。Growingnobetter，hewasmovedtoLynn，PolkCounty，N。C。Oftherestweshallhearinthewordsofhiswife：\"Weareleftalone（itisAugust29，1881）
withoneanother。Onthelastnightofthesummercomesachange。
Hisloveandimmortalwillholdoffthedestroyerofoursummeryetonemoreweek，untiltheforenoonofSeptember7th，andthenfallsthefrost，andthatunfalteringwillrendersitssupremesubmissiontothewillofGod。\"*Unusuallycheckeredhislifehadbeen，andyetforLanierasforTimrodpoetry（andmusic）had\"turnedlife’stastelesswatersintowine，andflushedthemthroughandthroughwithpurpletints。\"**
ThebodywastakentoMr。Lanier’shomeinBaltimore，thencetotheChurchofSt。MichaelandAllAngels，whereserviceswereconductedbytherector，theRev。Dr。WilliamKirkus。ItwasthenburiedinGreenmountCemetery，inthelotofMr。andMrs。LawrenceTurnbull，twoofthedearestfriendsthatMr。andMrs。LanierhadinBaltimore。
——
*Ward’s`Memorial’，p。xxx。
**Timrod’s`AVisionofPoesy’，stanzaxliv。
——
Mr。Lanierleftafamilyconsistingofhiswifeandfoursons。
Mrs。Lanier，wholivesatTryon，N。C。，wastheinspirationnotonlyofthoseglorioustributes，`LausMariae’and`MySprings’，butalsoofthepoet’swholelife。Theeldestson，Mr。CharlesDayLanier，wasbornatMacon，Ga。，September12，1868，andwasgraduatedA。B。
attheJohnsHopkinsUniversityin1888。AtonetimehewasAssistantEditorof`TheCosmopolitanMagazine’，apositionthathegaveuponlytobecomeBusinessManagerof`TheReviewofReviews’，withwhichhehasbeenconnectedfromitsbeginning。
Heistheauthorofseveralgracefulsketchesinthemagazines。
Thesecondson，Sidney，ispassionatelyfondofmusic，andwouldhavedevotedhimselftheretobutforlife-longill-health。
AfterteachingthreeyearsinWestVirginia，hehasstartedafruitfarmatTryon，N。C。，wherehehopestobuilduphishealth。
Thethirdson，HenryWysham，waspreventedfromenteringtheJohnsHopkinsbyapartialfailureofsight，andforthreeyearshasdevotedhimselftorailroadengineeringinBaltimoreandinJamaica。Theyoungest，RobertSampson，onlyfourteen，isatTryon，N。C。，withhismother。
ThatinterestinLanier’slifeandworkdidnotceasewithhisdeath，thereisabundantevidence。OnOctober22，1881，amemorialmeetingwasheldbytheFacultyandstudentsoftheJohnsHopkinsUniversity，atwhichaddresses*1*weremadebyPresidentGilmanandProfessorWm。HandBrowne，oftheUniversity，andbytheRev。Dr。WilliamKirkus，ofBaltimore，andaletter*1*wasreadfromthepoet-critic，EdmundC。Stedman，ofNewYork。In1883`TheEnglishNovel’waspublished，andin1884the`Poems’，editedbyhiswife，withtheexcellent`Memorial’
byDr。Wm。HayesWard，whodeclaredthathethoughtLanierwould\"takehisfinalrankwiththefirstprincesofAmericansong。\"*2*
Numerousreviewsofhislifeandworkswerepublished，notablythosebyMr。Wm。R。Thayer，Dr。MerrillE。Gates，ProfessorCharlesW。Kent，andbytheLondon`Spectator’。OnFebruary3，1888，theJohnsHopkinsUniversityheldanothermemorialmeetinginBaltimore，attendedbymanyfromothercities。\"Abustofthepoet，inbronze（modelledbyEphraimKeyser，sculptor，inthelastperiodofLanier’slife，atthesuggestionofMr。J。R。Tait），waspresentedtotheUniversitybyhiskinsman，CharlesLanier，Esq。，ofNewYork。ItwasalsoannouncedthatacitizenofBaltimorehadofferedapedestal，tobecutinGeorgiamarblefromadesignbyMr。J。B。N。Wyatt。OnatemporarypedestalhungthefluteofLanier，whichhadsooftenbeenhissolace，andarollofhismanuscriptmusic。Thebustwascrownedwithawreathoflaurel;thewordsofLanier，`TheTimeneedsHeart’，werewovenintothestringsofaflorallyre;andotherflowers，likewisebroughtbypersonalfriends，weregroupedaroundthepedestal。
Asamementoacard，designedbyMrs。HenryWhitman，ofBoston，wasgiventothosewhowerepresent。Uponitsfacewasawreath，withLanier’snameandthedate，andthemotto——`AspirodumExspiro’;
uponthereverseappearedtheclosinglinesoftheHymnoftheSun，takenfromthepoet’s`HymnsoftheMarshes’——andbeneath，aflutewithivytwinedaboutit。\"*3*Theexercises，whichwereinterspersedwithmusic，wereasfollows：
addressesbyPresidentGilmanoftheHopkinsandPresidentGatesofRutgers（nowofAmherst）;selectionsfromLanier’spoetry，readbyMissSusanHayesWard，ofNewark，N。J。;apaperonLanier’s`ScienceofEnglishVerse’，byProfessorA。H。Tolman，ofRiponCollege，Wis。
（nowoftheUniversityofChicago）;poetictributesbyMrs。LawrenceTurnbull，MissEdithM。Thomas，andMessrs。JamesCummings，RichardE。Burton，andJohnB。Tabb;andlettersfromMessrs。RichardW。Gilder，EdmundC。Stedman，andJamesRussellLowell——allofwhichmaybefoundinPresidentGilman’sdainty`MemorialofSidneyLanier’。Again，areplicaoftheabove-mentionedbust，thegiftalsoofMr。CharlesLanier，wasunveiledatthepoet’sbirthplace，Macon，Ga。，onOctober17，1890;
onwhichoccasiontendertributes*4*wereagainpouredforthinproseandverse，byMessrs。W。B。Hill，HughV。Washington，CharlesLanier，CliffordLanier，Wm。HandBrowne，CharlesG。D。Roberts，JohnB。Tabb，H。S。Edwards，Wm。H。Hayne，CharlesW。Hubner，JoelChandlerHarris，CharlesDudleyWarner，andDanielC。Gilman。
Butmoresignificantthanthesedemonstrations，perhaps，isthesteadilygrowingstudydevotedtoLanier’sworks。
Mr。Higginson*5*tellsus，forinstance，that，whenhewrotehistributein1887，Lanier’s`ScienceofEnglishVerse’hadbeenputuponthelistofHarvardbookstobekeptonlyafortnight，andthat，accordingtothelibrarian，itwasout\"literallyallthetime。\"
Moreover，itwouldnotbedifficulttocitevariouspoemsthathavebeenmoreorlessmodeleduponLanier’s;itissufficient，perhaps，topointoutthatthemarsh，athemealmostunknowntopoetrybeforeLanierimmortalizedit，isnotinfrequentlythesubjectofpoetictreatmentnow，asintheworksofCharlesG。D。Roberts，*6*ClintonScollard，*7*
andMauriceThompson。*8*Itisnoteworthy，too，thatmanyoftheyoungerpoetsoftheday，bothinCanadaandtheUnitedStates，havesungLanier’spraise。Acompletelistisgiveninthe`Bibliography’。
Stillfurther，adevotedadmirer，Mrs。LawrenceTurnbull，ofBaltimore，in`TheCatholicMan’，hasinthepersonofPaul，thepoet，givenusanimaginativestudyofthecharacterofMr。Lanier。
Finally，onlyafewmonthsagotheChautauquansoftheclassof1898
determinedtocallthemselves\"TheLaniers\"，inhonorofthepoetandhisbrother。
——
*1*Seethe`Bibliography’。
*2*`Memorial’，p。xi。
*3*Gilman’s`AMemorialofSidneyLanier’，pp。5-6。
*4*Publishedin`TheAtlanta（Ga。）Constitution’ofOctober19，1890。
*5*See`TheChautauquan’，ascitedinthe`Bibliography’。
*6*Seerecentfilesof`TheIndependent’（NewYork）。
*7*Seehis`PicturesinSong’（NewYork，1884），pp。45-49。
*8*Seehis`SongsofFairWeather’（Boston，1883），pp。27-28。
——
II。Lanier’sProseWorksWiththisbriefsketchofhislife，letusturntoLanier’sworks，andfirsttothoseinprose。Attheheadofthelistcomes`Tiger-lilies’，anovelwrittenwithinthreeweeksandpublishedimmediatelythereafter，in1867。Underthefigureof\"astrange，enormous，terribleflower，\"
theseedofwhichhehopesmayperishbeyondresurrection，theauthorpicturesthehorrorofwaringeneralandoftheCivilWarinparticular。
Anentertaininglove-storyrunsthroughthebook，theplotofwhichspacedoesnotallowmetodetail。Inexecutionthenovelhasgravedefects：
itlacksunity;thecharacterstalkaslearnedlyasLanierafterwardwroteofmusic;andattimes，asintheoft-quotedpictureofthewar，*1*
thestyleisgrandiloquent;owingtowhichblemishestheauthorwiselydiscourageditsrepublication。But，inspiteofthesedefects，thebookhasoneverystronglyputscene，*2*theinterviewbetweenSmallinandhisdeserterbrother，andseveralbeautifulpassages*3*
thatdistinctlyproclaimthehigh-souledpoet。
——
*1*`Tiger-lilies’，p。115ff。
*2*`Tiger-lilies’，p。149ff。
*3*Thaton\"love\"（p。26）isquotedlater。
——
Lanier’snextpublication，`Florida：ItsScenery，Climate，andHistory’，waswrittenbycommissionoftheAtlanticCoastLine，andappearedin1876。
Tousetheauthor’sownepithet，`Florida’is\"aspiritualizedguide-book\"。
Exclusiveofthe1877volumeof`Poems’，Lanier’snextoriginalworkwas`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’，whichinlecture-formwasdeliveredtothestudentsoftheJohnsHopkinsinthewinterof1879
andwaspublishedin1880。Accordingtocompetentcritics，thebookgivesassearchinganinvestigationofthescienceofverseonitsformalsideasistobehadinanylanguage。Sincethetreatiseissoevidentlyanepoch-makingone，Iregretthatthetechnicalityofthesubjectforbidsmyattemptinginthisconnectionevenabriefexposition*ofitsprinciples。
IcansayonlythatLaniertreatsverseinthetermsofmusic;
that，accordingtothepromiseofthepreface，hegives\"anaccountofthetruerelationsofmusicandverse\";andthatinsodoinghehasgivenusthebestworkingtheoryforEnglishversefromCaedmontoTennyson。Thisisahighestimate，butitisbynomeanssohighasthatofthelamentedpoet-professor，EdmundRowlandSill，whosaidof`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’，\"Itistheonlyworkthathasevermadeanyapproachtoarationalviewofthesubject。
Norarethestandardonesoverlookedinmakingthisassertion。\"**
——
*ThismaybefoundinProfessorTolman’sarticle，citedinthe`Bibliography’。
**QuotedbyTolman。
——
Lanier’ssecondcourseoflecturesattheJohnsHopkinsUniversity，deliveredinthewinterandspringof1881，waspublishedin1883
underthetitle，`TheEnglishNovelandthePrinciplesofItsDevelopment’。*
Accordingtotheauthor’sstatement，thepurposeofthebookis\"first，toinquirewhatisthespecialrelationofthenoveltothemodernman，byvirtueofwhichithasbecomeaparamountliteraryform;
and，secondly，toillustratethisabstractinquiry，whencompleted，bysomeconcretereadingsinthegreatestofmodernEnglishnovelists\"（p。4）。
Addressinghimselftotheformer，Lanierattemptstoprove（1）thatourtime，whencomparedwiththatofAeschylus，showsan\"enormousgrowthinthepersonalityofman\"（p。5）;（2）thatwhatwemodernscallPhysicalScience，Music，andtheNovel，allhadtheiroriginatpracticallythesametime，aboutthemiddleoftheseventeenthcentury（p。9）;
and（3）\"thattheincreaseofpersonalitiesthusgoingonhasbroughtaboutsuchcomplexitiesofrelationthattheolderformsofexpressionwereinadequatetothem;andthattheresultingnecessityhasdevelopedthewonderfullyfreeandelasticformofthemodernnoveloutofthemorerigidGreekdrama，throughthetransitionformoftheElizabethandrama\"（p。10）。Infulfilmentofhissecondpurpose，theauthorgivesadetailedstudyofseveralofthenovelsofGeorgeEliot，whomhetakestobethegreatestmodernEnglishnovelist。Eventhisbriefsynopsisofthebookmustindicateitsbroadandstimulatingcharacter，inwhichrespectitisaworthysuccessorof`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’。
Despitethelimitationsinducedbyfailinglife，whichnecessitatedthecuttingdownofthecourseoflecturesfromtwentytotwelve，**
Iknowoffewmorelife-givingbooks;andIventuretoassertthatitcannotsafelybeoverlookedbyanycarefulstudentofthesubject。
——
*Mrs。Lanierinformsmethat`TheEnglishNovel’willsoonbeissuedinanamendedformandwithanewsub-title，`StudiesintheDevelopmentofPersonality’，whichindicatespreciselywhatMr。Lanierintendedtoattempt，andrelievesthebookofitsseemingincompletenessastoscope。
**`Spann’。
——
AmongotherproseworksImaymentionLanier’searlyextravaganza，`ThreeWaterfalls’;`Bob’，ahappyaccountofapetmocking-bird，worthyofbeingplacedbesideDr。Brown’s`RabandhisFriends’;
hisbooksforboys：`Froissart’，`KingArthur’，`Mabinogion’，and`Percy’，whichhavehad，astheydeserve，alargesale;andhisposthumous`FromBacontoBeethoven’，ahighlyinstructiveessayonmusic。
III。Lanier’sPoetry：ItsThemesButitischieflyasapoetthatwewishtoconsiderLanier，andIturntotheposthumouseditionofhis`Poems’gottenoutbyhiswife。
Attheoutsetletusask，Howdidthepoetlookattheworld？
whatproblemsengagedhisattentionandhowweretheysolved？
Acarefulinvestigationwillshow，Ibelieve，that，despitethebrevityofhislifeanditsconsumingcares，Lanierstudiedthechiefquestionsofourage，andthatinhispoemshehasofferedusnoteworthysolutions。
What，forinstance，ismorecharacteristicofouragethanitstendencytoagnosticism？Ipassbythemanifestationsofthisspiritintheworldofreligion，ofwhichsomuchhasbeenheard，andgiveanillustrationortwofromthefieldofhistoryandpolitics。
PicturesquePocahontas，wearetold，isnomoretobebelievedin;
moreover，thePilgrimFathersdidnotlandatPlymouthRock，nordidJeffersonwritetheDeclarationofIndependence。Whichwayweturnthereisabiginterrogation-point，oftennotforinformationbutfornegation。Ofthegoodresultingfromtheinquisitivespirit，weallknow;ofthebanefulinfluenceofinquisitivenessthathasbecomeamereintellectualpastimeoramateurishagnosticism，welikewisehavesomeknowledge;buttheevilsideofthistendencyhasseldombeenputmoreforcibly，Ithink，thaninthisstanzafromLanier’s`Acknowledgment’：
\"OAgethathalfbeliev’stthouhalfbeliev’st，Halfdoubt’stthesubstanceofthineownhalfdoubt，And，halfperceivingthatthouhalfperceiv’st，Stand’statthytempledoor，heartin，headout！
Lo！whilethyheart’swithin，helpingthechoir，Without，thineeyesrangeupanddownthetime，Blinkingato’er-brightScience，smitwithdesireToseeandnottosee。Hence，crimeoncrime。
Yea，iftheChrist（calledthine）nowpacedyonstreet，Thyhalfnesshotwithhisrebukewouldswell;
LegionsofscribeswouldriseandrunandbeatHisfairintolerableWholenesstwicetohell。\"*
——
*`Acknowledgment’，ll。1-12。
——
Morehurtfulthanagnosticism，becauseaffectinglargermassesofpeople，istherapidgrowthofthemercantilespiritduringthepresentcentury，especiallyinAmerica。Thisevilthepoetsawmostclearlyandfeltmostkeenly，aseveryonemaylearnbyreading`TheSymphony’，hisgreatpoeminwhichthespeakersarethevariousmusicalinstruments。
Theviolinsbegin：
\"OTrade！OTrade！wouldthouwertdead！
TheTimeneedsheart——’tistiredofhead。\"*
Thenallthestringedinstrumentsjoinwiththeviolinsingivingthewailofthepoor，who\"standwedgedbythepressingofTrade’shand\"：
\"`Weweaveinthemillsandheaveinthekilns，Wesievemine-meshesunderthehills，AndthievemuchgoldfromtheDevil’sbanktills，Torelieve，OGod，whatmannerofills？——
Thebeasts，theyhunger，andeat，anddie;
Andsodowe，andtheworld’sasty;
Hush，fellow-swine：whynuzzleandcry？
\"Swinehoodhathnoremedy\"
Saymanymen，andhastenby，Clampingthenoseandblinkingtheeye。
Butwhosaidonce，inthelordlytone，\"ManshallnotlivebybreadaloneButallthatcomethfromthethrone\"？
HathGodsaidso？
ButTradesaith\"No\"：
Andthekilnsandthecurt-tonguedmillssay\"Go：
There’splentythatcan，ifyoucan’t：weknow。
Moveout，ifyouthinkyou’reunderpaid。
Thepoorareprolific;we’renotafraid;
TradeisTrade。\"’
\"ThereatthispassionateprotestingMeeklychanged，andsoftenedtillItsanktosadrequestingAndsuggestingsadderstill：
`Andoh，ifmenmightsometimeseeHowpiteous-falsethepoordecreeThattradenomorethantrademustbe！
Doesbusinessmean，\"Die，you——live，I\"？
Then\"Tradeistrade\"butsingsalie：
’Tisonlywargrownmiserly。
Ifbusinessisbattle，nameitso。’\"**
——
*`TheSymphony’，ll。1-2。
**`TheSymphony’，ll。31-61。
——
Ofevenwidersweepthanmercantilismisthespiritofintolerance;
for，whilethediffusionofknowledgeandofgracehasinameasurerepressedthisspirit，itlacksmuchofbeingsubdued。IdonotwonderthatLanier\"fledintearsfrommen’sungodlyquarrelaboutGod，\"
andthat，inhispoementitled`Remonstrance’，hedenouncesintolerancewithallthevehemenceofaprophetofold。
ButLanierhadaneyeforlife’sbeautiesaswellasitsills。
Tohimmusicwasoneofearth’schiefblessings。Ofhisearlypassionfortheviolinandhissubstitutionoftheflutetherefor，wehavealreadylearned。Accordingtocompetentcriticshewaspossiblythegreatestflute-player*1*intheworld，afactallthemoreinterestingwhenwerememberthat，ashehimselftellsus，*2*heneverhadateacher。
Withsuchatalentformusicthepoethasnaturallystrewnhispageswithfinetributesthereto。In`Tiger-lilies’，forinstance，hetellsusthat，whileexplorerssaythattheyhavefoundsomenationsthathadnogod，heknowsofnonethathadnomusic，andthensumsupthematterinthissentence：\"Musicmeansharmony;
harmonymeanslove;andlovemeans——God！\"*3*EvenmoreexplicitisthisdeclarationinaletterofMay，1873，toHayne：\"Idon’tknowthatI’vetoldyouthatwhateverturnImayhaveforartispurelyMUSICAL;
poetrybeingwithmeAMERETANGENTINTOWHICHISHOOTSOMETIMES。
IcouldplaypassablyonseveralinstrumentsbeforeIcouldwritelegibly，andSINCEthentheverydeepestofmylifehasbeenfilledwithmusic，whichIhavestudiedandcultivatedfarmorethanpoetry。\"*4*
Wehavealreadyseenincidentallythatinhis`Symphony’
thespeakersaremusicalinstruments;anditisinthispoemthatoccurshisfelicitousdefinition，\"Musicisloveinsearchofaword。\"*5*
In`ToBeethoven’hedescribestheeffectofmusicuponhimself：
\"Iknownothow，Icarenotwhy，Thymusicbringsthisbroilatease，Andmeltsmypassion’smortalcryInsatisfyingsymphonies。
\"Yea，itforgivesmeallmysins，Fitslifetolovelikerhymetorhyme，AndtunesthetaskeachdaybeginsBythelasttrumpet-noteofTime。\"*6*
Itwasthisprofoundknowledgeofmusic，ofcourse，thatenabledLaniertowritehisworkon`TheScienceofEnglishVerse’，andgavehimatechnicalskillinversificationakintothatofTennyson。
——
*1*SeeWard’s`Memorial’，pp。xx，xxxi。
*2*Hayne’s（P。H。）`APoet’sLetterstoaFriend’。
*3*`Tiger-lilies’，p。32。
*4*Hayne’s`APoet’sLetterstoaFriend’。AftersettlinginBaltimoreLanierdevotedmoretimetopoetrythantomusic，aswemayseefromthissentencetoJudgeBleckley，inhisletterofMarch20，1876：
\"Asforme，lifehasresolvedsimplyintoatimeduringwhichImustgetuponpaperasmanyaspossibleofthepoemswithwhichmyheartisstuffedlikeaschoolboy’spocket。\"
*5*`TheSymphony’，l。368。
*6*`ToBeethoven’，ll。61-68。
——
Likemostgreatpoetsofmoderntimes，Lanierwasasincereloverofnature。
Anditseemstomethatwithhimthislovewasasall-embracingaswithWordsworth。Lanierfoundbeautyinthewavingcorn*1*andtheclover;*2*
inthemocking-bird，*3*therobin，*4*andthedove;*5*
inthehickory，*6*thedogwood，*6*andthelive-oak;*7*
inthemurmuringleaves*8*andthechatteringstreams;*9*
intheoldredhills*10*andthesea;*11*intheclouds，*12*
sunrise，*13*andsunset;*14*andeveninthemarshes，*15*
which\"burstintobloom\"forthisworshiper。Again，Lanier’sloveofnaturewasnolessinsistentthanWordsworth’s。Weallrememberthelatter’soft-quotedlines：
\"TomethemeanestflowerthatblowscangiveThoughtsthatdooftenlietoodeepfortears;\"*16*
andbesidethemonemayputthislineofLanier’s，\"Thelittlegreenleaveswouldnotletmealoneinmysleep，\"*17*
because，asthecontextshows，hewas\"Shakenwithhappiness：
Thegatesofsleepstoodwide。\"*18*
Andhownaiveandtenderwasthisnature-worship！Hespeaksoftheclover*19*andtheclouds*20*ascousins，andoftheleaves*21*
assisters，andinsodoingremindsusoftheearliestItalianpoetry，especiallyof`TheCanticleoftheSun’，bySt。FrancisofAssisi，whobrothersthewind，thefire，andthesun，andsistersthewater，thestars，andthemoon。Noticethetendernessintheselinesof`Corn’：
\"TheleavesthatwaveagainstmycheekcaressLikewomen’shands;theembracingboughsexpressAsubtletyofmightytenderness;
Thecopse-depthsintolittlenoisesstart，Thatsoundanonlikebeatingsofaheart，Anonliketalk’twixtlipsnotfarapart;\"*22*
towhichwefindabeautifulparallelinapoembyPaulHamiltonHayne，himselfareverentnature-worshiper：
\"Ah！NatureseemsThroughsomethingsweeterthanalldreamsTowoome;yea，sheseemstospeakHowclosely，kindly，herfondcheekRestedonmine，hermysticbloodPulsingintenderneighborhood，Andsoftasanymortalmaid，Halfveiledinthetwilightshade，WholeansaboveherlovetotellSecretsalmostineffable！\"*23*
Moreover，thisworshipisrestful：
\"Oh，whatisabroadinthemarshandtheterminalsea？
SomehowmysoulseemssuddenlyfreeFromtheweighingoffateandthesaddiscussionofsin，BythelengthandthebreadthandthesweepofthemarshesofGlynn……
\"Bysomanyrootsasthemarsh-grasssendsinthesodIwillheartilylaymea-holdonthegreatnessofGod：
Oh，liketothegreatnessofGodisthegreatnesswithinTherangeofthemarshes，theliberalmarshesofGlynn。\"*24*
ButtoLaniertheministrationofnaturewasbynomeanspassive;
andwefindhimcallingupontheleavesactivelytoministertohisneedandeventointercedeforhimtotheirMaker：
\"Yelispers，whisperers，singersinstorms，Yeconsciencesmurmuringfaithsunderforms，Yeministersmeetforeachpassionthatgrieves，Friendly，sisterly，sweetheartleaves，Oh，rainmedownfromyourdarksthatcontainmeWisdomsyewinnowfromwindsthatpainme，——
Siftdowntremorsofsweet-within-sweetThatadvisemeofmorethantheybring，——repeatMethewoods-smellthatswiftlybutnowbroughtbreathFromtheheaven-sidebankoftheriverofdeath，——
Teachmethetermsofsilence，——preachmeThepassionofpatience，——siftme，——impeachme，——
Andthere，ohthereAsyehangwithyourmyriadpalmsupturnedintheair，Praymeamyriadprayer。\"*25*
InthisearnestascriptionofspiritualitytotheleavesLanierrecallsRuskin。*26*
——
*1*See`TheWavingoftheCorn’and`Corn’。
*2*See`Clover’。
*3*See`TheMocking-Bird’and`ToOurMocking-Bird’。
*4*See`TampaRobins’。
*5*See`TheDove’。
*6*See`FromtheFlats’，laststanza。
*7*See`Sunrise’。
*8*See`Sunrise’and`Corn’。
*9*See`TheSongoftheChattahoochee’and`Sunrise’。
*10*See`Corn’。
*11*See`Sunrise’and`AtSunset’。
*12*See`Individuality’。
*13*See`Sunrise’，etc。
*14*See`AtSunset’。
*15*See`TheMarshesofGlynn’，andreadBarbe’stributetoLanier，citedinthe`Bibliography’。
*16*`IntimationsofImmortality’，ll。202-203。
*17*`TheSymphony’，l。3。
*18*`TheSymphony’，ll。13-14。
*19*`Clover’，l。57。
*20*`Individuality’，l。1。
*21*`Sunrise’，l。42。
*22*`Corn’，ll。4-9。Compare`TheSymphony’，ll。183-190。
*23*Hayne’s`IntheGrayofEvening’：Autumn，ll。37-46，in`Poems’（Boston，1882），p。250。
*24*`TheMarshesofGlynn’，ll。61-64，75-78。
*25*`Sunrise’，ll。39-53。
*26*Seehis`ModernPainters’，vol。v。，partvi。，chapteriv。，andScudder’snotetothesameinher`IntroductiontoRuskin’
（Chicago，1892），p。249。
——
Totakeuphisnexttheme，Lanier，likeeverytrueTeuton，fromTacitustothepresent，saw\"somethingofthedivine\"inwoman。
Itwasthisfeelingthatledhimsoseverelytocondemnavicethatissaidtobegrowing，themarriageforconvenience。Iquotefrom`TheSymphony’，andthe\"meltingClarionet\"isspeaking：
\"SohathTradewitheredupLove’ssinewyprime，Menlovenotwomenasinoldentime。
Ah，notinthesecoldmerchantabledaysDeemmentheirlifeanopalgray，whereplaysTheoneredsweetofgraciousladies’-praise。
Now，comesasuitorwithsharppryingeye——
Says，`Here，youlady，ifyou’llsell，I’llbuy：
Come，heartforheart——atrade？What！weeping？why？’
Shameonsuchwooer’sdapper-mercery！\"*1*
Andthenfollowsawooingthat，tomymind，shouldbeirresistible，andthat，atanyrate，isquiteashigh-souledasBrowning’s`OneWayofLove’，whichIhavelongconsideredthehigh-water-markofthechivalrousinlove。
TheLadyClarionetisstillspeaking：
\"IwouldmyloverkneelingatmyfeetInhumblemanlinessshouldcry，`OSweet！
Iknownotifthyheartmyheartwillgreet：
Iasknotifthylovemylovecanmeet：
Whate’erthyworshipfulsofttongueshallsay，I’llkissthineanswer，beityeaornay：
IdobutknowIlovethee，andIprayTobethyknightuntilmydyingday。’\"*2*
Iimagine，too，thatanywifethateverlivedwouldbesatisfiedwithhisglorioustributetoMrs。Lanierin`MySprings’，whichclosesthus：
\"Deareyes，deareyes，andrarecomplete——
Beingheavenly-sweetandearthly-sweet——
ImarvelthatGodmadeyoumine，Forwhenhefrowns，’tisthenyeshine。\"*3*
Almostequallyfelicitousaretheselinesof`Acknowledgment’：
\"Somehowbythee，dearLove，Iwincontent：
ThyPerfectstopsth’Imperfect’sargument。\"*4*
ButthecleverestthingthatLanierhaswrittenofwomanoccursinhis`LausMariae’：
\"Butthouwithinthyself，dearmanifoldheart，Dostbindallepochsinonedaintyfact。
Oh，Sweet，myprettysumofhistory，Ileaptthebreadthoftimeinlovingthee！\"*5*
——ascrapworthytobeplacedbesideSteele’s\"Toloveherisaliberaleducation，\"whichhasoftenbeendeclaredthehappiestthingonthesubjectintheEnglishlanguage。
——
*1*`TheSymphony’，ll。232-240。
*2*`TheSymphony’，ll。241-248。
*3*`MySprings’，ll。53-56。
*4*`Acknowledgment’，ll。41-42。
*5*`LausMariae’，ll。11-14。
——
ToLaniertherewasbutonethingthatmadelifeworthliving，andthatwaslove。Eventhesuperficialreadermustbestruckwiththefrequentuseoftheterminthepoet’sworks，whileallmustbeupliftedbyhisconceptionofitspurposeandpower。
Theillsofagnosticism，mercantilism，andintoleranceallfindtheirsolutionhereandhereonly，asisadmirablysetforthin`TheSymphony’，ofwhichtheopeningstrainis，\"Weareallforlove，\"
andtheclosing，\"Lovealonecando。\"Thematterisnolesshappilyputin`Tiger-lilies’：\"ForIamquiteconfidentthatloveistheonlyropethrownoutbyHeaventouswhohavefallenoverboardintolife。
Loveforman，loveforwoman，loveforGod，——thesethreechimelikebellsinasteepleandcallustoworship，whichistowork……
Inasmuchaswelove，insomuchdoweconquerdeathandflesh;
byasmuchaswelove，bysomucharewegods。ForGodislove;
andcouldweloveasHedoes，wecouldbeasHeis。\"*1*
Tothesameeffectishisstatementin`TheEnglishNovel’：
\"Arepublicisthegovernmentofthespirit。\"*2*Thesamethoughtrecurslater：\"Inlove，andloveonly，cangreatworkthatnotonlypullsdown，butbuilds，bedone;itislove，andloveonly，thatistrulyconstructiveinart。\"*3*Inthepoementitled`HowLoveLookedforHell’，MindandSenseatLove’srequestgotoseekHell;buteverastheypointitouttoLove，whetherinthematerialortheimmaterialworld，itvanishes;forwhereLoveistherecanbenoHell，since，inthewordsofTolstoi’sstory，\"WhereLoveisthereisGod。\"ButinoneofhispoemsLaniersumsupthewholematterinaline：
\"Whenlife’salllove，’tislife：aughtelse，’tisnaught。\"*4*
——
*1*`Tiger-lilies’，p。26。
*2*`TheEnglishNovel’，p。55。
*3*`TheEnglishNovel’，p。204。
*4*`InAbsence’，l。42。
——
Itisbutashortwayfromlovetoitssource，——God。
And，asLanierwascontinuallyintheatmosphereoftheone，so，Ibelieve，hewaseverinthepresenceoftheother;forthepoet’s\"LovemeansGod\"
isbutanotherphrasingoftheevangelist’s\"Godislove\"。*1*
OfLanier’sgriefoverchurchbroilsandofhislongingforfreedomtoworshipGodaccordingtoone’sownintuition，wehavealreadylearnedfromhis`Remonstrance’。WhathethoughtoftheChristwelearnfrom`TheCrystal’，whichcloseswiththisinvocation：
\"ButThee，butThee，OsovereignSeeroftime，ButThee，Opoets’Poet，Wisdom’sTongue，ButThee，Oman’sbestMan，Olove’sbestLove，Operfectlifeinperfectlaborwrit，Oallmen’sComrade，Servant，King，orPriest，——
WhatIForYET，whatmole，whatflaw，whatlapse，Whatleastdefectorshadowofdefect，Whatrumor，tattledbyanenemy，Ofinferenceloose，whatlackofgraceEvenintorture’sgrasp，orsleep’s，ordeath’s——
Oh，whatamissmayIforgiveinThee，Jesus，goodParagon，ThouCrystalChrist？\"*2*
HowtenderlyLanierwastouchedbythelifeofourLordmaybeseeninhis`BalladofTreesandtheMaster’，adramaticpresentationofthesceneinGethsemaneandonCalvary。HowimplicitwashistrustintheChristmaybegatheredfromthisparagraphinalettertotheelderHayne：
\"Ihaveaboywhoseeyesareblueasyour`Aethra’s’。EverydaywhenmyworkisdoneItakehiminmystrongarms，andlifthimup，andporeinhisface。Theintenserepose，penetratedsomehowwithathrillingmysteryof`potentialactivity’，whichdwellsinhislarge，openeye，teachesmenewthings。Isaytomyself，WherearethestrongarmsinwhichI，too，mightlaymeandrepose，andyetbefullofthefireoflife？Andalwaysthroughthetwilightcomeanswersfromtheotherworld，`Master！Master！thereisone——Christ——
inHisarmswerest！’\"*3*Perhaps，however，Lanier’snotionofGod，whomhedeclared*4*allhisroadsreached，ismostclearlyexpressedinascrapquotedbyWard，apparentlytheoutlineforapoem：
\"Ifledintearsfromthemen’sungodlyquarrelaboutGod。
Ifledintearstothewoods，andlaidmedownontheearth。
Thensomewhatlikethebeatingofmanyheartscameuptomeoutoftheground;
andIlookedandmycheeklayclosetoaviolet。Thenmyhearttookcourage，andIsaid：`IknowthatthouartthewordofmyGod，dearViolet。
Andoh，theladderisnotlongthattomyheavenleads。
Measurewhatspaceavioletstandsabovetheground。’Tisnofurtherclimbingthatmysoulandangelshavetodothanthat。’\"*5*InthishighspiritualityLanierisinlinewiththegreatestpoetsofourrace，from\"Caedmon，inthemornA-callingangelswiththecow-herd’scallThatlatebroughtupthecattle，\"*6*
tohim\"Whoneverturnedhisback，butmarchedbreastforward，Neverdoubtedcloudswouldbreak，Neverdreamed，thoughrightwereworsted，wrongwouldtriumph，Heldwefalltorise，arebaffledtofightbetter，Sleeptowake。\"*7*
——
*1*1John4：16。
*2*`TheCrystal’，ll。100-111。
*3*Hayne’s`APoet’sLetterstoaFriend’。
*4*In`AFloridaSunday’，l。85。
*5*Ward’s`Memorial’，p。xxxix。
*6*Lanier’s`TheCrystal’，ll。90-93。
*7*Browning’s`Asolando’：Epilogue，ll。11-15。
——
PerhapsImayappendhereaparagraphuponLanier’scriticismsofotherwriters，fortheyseemtomeacuteintheextreme。
DespitetheelaborateessaysindefenceofWhitman’spoetrybyDowden，*1*Symonds，*2*andWhitmanhimself，IbelieveLanierisrightindeclaringthat\"Whitmanispoetry’sbutcher。Hugerawcollopsslashedfromtherumpofpoetryandnevermindgristle——
iswhatWhitmanfeedsoursoulswith。AsnearasIcanmakeitout，Whitman’sargumentseemstobe，that，becauseaprairieiswide，thereforedebaucheryisadmirable，andbecausetheMississippiislong，thereforeeveryAmericanisGod。\"*3*Notice，again，howwellthedefectof`ParadiseLost’ispointedout：
\"AndIforgiveThee，Milton，thosethycomic-dreadfulwarsWhere，armedwithgrossandinconclusivesteel，ImmortalssmiteimmortalsmortalwiseAndfillallheavenwithfolly。\"*4*
FewbetterthingshavebeensaidofLanglandthanthis，——
\"ThatwithbutatouchOfarthadstsungPiersPlowmantothetopOfEnglishsongs，whereof’tisdearest，nowAndmostadorable;\"*5*
orofEmersonthanthis，——
\"Mostwise，thatyet，infindingWisdom，lostThySelf，sometimes;\"*6*
orofTennysonthanthis，——
\"LargestvoiceSinceMilton，yetsomeregisterofwitWanting。\"*7*
`TheCrystal’aboundsinsuchhappycharacterizations。
——
*1*SeeDowden’s`StudiesinLiterature’，pp。468-523。
*2*SeeSymonds’s`WaltWhitman：AStudy’。London，1893。
*3*Ward’s`Memorial’，p。xxxviii。
*4*`TheCrystal’，ll。66-70。
*5*Ibid。，ll。87-90。
*6*Ibid。，ll。93-94。
*7*Ibid。，ll。95-97。
——
IV。Lanier’sPoetry：ItsStyleSomuchforthepoet’sthoughts;whatshallwesayoftheirexpression？
Inotherwords，isLaniertheliteraryartistequaltoLaniertheseer？
Inorderthebettertoanswerthisquestion，letusbeginatthebeginning，withtheelementsofstyle，someofwhich，however，Ipassbyasnotcallingforspecialcomment。
OfLanier’sfelicitouschoiceofwordswehavealreadyhadincidentalillustration;butitisdesirable，perhaps，togrouphereafewofhishappiestphrases，toshowthat，asLowell*1*said，heis\"amanofgeniuswithararegiftforthehappyword。\"
Noticethisspeechaboutthebrook：
\"Anddownthehollowfromafernynook`Lull’singsalittlebrook！\"*2*
andthisofthewell-bucket：
\"TherattlingbucketplumpsSousedownthewell;\"*3*
andthisoftheoutburstofabird：
\"Dumbwoods，haveyeutteredabird？\"*4*
andthedescriptionofamocking-birdas\"YontrimShakspereonthetree;\"*5*
andofmidnightas\"Death’sandtruth’sunlockingtime。\"*6*
Moreover，itshouldbeobservedthatLanierfrequentlyusessignificantcompounds，——ahabitacquired，nodoubt，fromhisstudyofOldEnglish，inwhich，asinGerman，suchcompoundsabound。
——
*1*See`Lowell’in`Bibliography’。
*2*`FromtheFlats’，ll。23-24;citedbyGates。[Line24waschanged（to\"Brightleapsalivingbrook！\"）inlatereditions。——A。L。，1998。]
*3*`Clover’，ll。29-30。
*4*`Sunrise’，l。57;citedbyGates。
*5*`TheMocking-Bird’，l。14。
*6*`TheCrystal’，l。1。Otherillustrationsmaybefoundintheparagraphonfiguresofspeech。