Gycia Part 20

But now I must be going. 'Tis past midnight;

[_s.n.a.t.c.hes dagger from_ THEODORUS'S _side._

I must go hence. I have lost my life and love.

But I have saved the State.

[_Stabs herself and falls on_ _Asander's_ _body._

Citizens _of Cherson bursting in._

_Cits._ The State is saved! Long may our Cherson flouris.h.!.+

The State is saved! Long live our Lady Gycia, Who saved the State!

_Gycia_ (_rising a little_). Yes, I have saved the State!

[_Falls back dead._

_Citizens_ (_without_). Long live the Lady Gycia!

_Curtain._

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BECCLES.

SELECTIONS FROM THE NOTICES

OF THE

POETICAL WORKS

OF

LEWIS MORRIS.

SONGS OF TWO WORLDS.

These poems were originally published in three volumes, issued in the years 1872, 1874, and 1875. The following are a few selections from the Press notices which appeared as they were issued.

FIRST SERIES.

"No one, after reading the first two poems--almost perfect in rhythm and all the graceful reserve of true lyrical strength--could doubt for an instant that this book is the result of lengthened thought and a.s.siduous training in poetic forms.

These poems will a.s.suredly take high rank among the cla.s.s to which they belong."--_British Quarterly Review_, April, 1872.

"If this volume is the mere prelude of a mind growing in power, we have in it the promise of a fine poet.... In 'The Wandering Soul,' the verse describing Socrates has that highest note of critical poetry, that in it epigram becomes vivid with life, and life reveals its inherent paradox. It would be difficult to describe the famous irony of Socrates in more poetical and more accurate words than by saying that he doubted men's doubts away."--_Spectator_, February 17th, 1872.

"In all this poetry there is a purity and delicacy of feeling which comes over one like morning air."--_Graphic_, March 16th, 1872.

SECOND SERIES.

"In earnestness, sweetness, and the gift of depicting nature, the writer may be p.r.o.nounced a worthy disciple of his compatriot, Henry Vaughan, the Silurist. Several of the shorter poems are instinct with a n.o.ble purpose and a high ideal of life. One perfect picture, marginally annotated, so to speak, in the speculations which it calls forth, is 'The Organ-Boy.' But the most noteworthy poem is the 'Ode on a Fair Spring Morning,' which has somewhat of the charm and truth to nature of 'L'Allegro' and 'Il Penseroso.' It is the nearest approach to a master-piece in the volume."--_Sat.u.r.day Review_, May 30th, 1874.

"This volume is a real advance on its predecessor of the same name, and contains at least one poem of great originality, as well as many of much tenderness, sweetness, and beauty. 'The Organ-Boy' we have read again and again, with fresh pleasure on every reading. It is as exquisite a little poem as we have read for many a day."--_Spectator_, June 13th, 1874.

"The reception of the New Writer's first series shows that, in his degree, he is one of the poetical forces of the time. Of the school of poetry of which Horace is the highest master, he is a not undistinguished pupil."--_Academy_, August 11th, 1874.

"The verses are full of melodious charm, and sing themselves almost without music."--_Blackwood's_, August 1st, 1874.

THIRD SERIES.

"Not unworthy of its predecessors. It presents the same command of metre and diction, the same contrasts of mood, the same grace and sweetness. It cannot be denied that he has won a definite position among contemporary poets."--_Times_, October 16th, 1875.

"'Evensong' shows power thought, and courage to grapple with the profoundest problems. In the 'Ode to Free Rome' we find worthy treatment of the subject and pa.s.sionate expression of generous sympathy."--_Sat.u.r.day Review_, July 31st, 1875.

"More perfect in execution than either of its predecessors....

The pure lyrics are sweeter and richer. In the 'Birth of Verse'

every stanza is a little poem in itself, and yet a part of a perfect whole."--_Spectator_, May 22nd, 1875.

"If each book that he publishes is to mark as steady improvement as have his second and third, the world may surely look for something from the writer which shall immortalize him and remain as a treasure to literature."--_Graphic_, June 1st, 1875.

THE EPIC OF HADES.

_BOOK II._[A]

"Fresh, picturesque, and by no means deficient in intensity; but the most conspicuous merits of the author are the judgment and moderation with which his poem is designed, his self-possession within his prescribed limits, and the unfailing elegance of his composition, which shrinks from obscurity, exuberance, and rash or painful effort as religiously as many recent poets seem to cultivate such interesting blemishes.... Perhaps the fine bursts of music in Marsyas, and the varied emotions portrayed in Andromeda, are less characteristic of the author than the prompt, yet graceful, manner in which he pa.s.ses from one figure to another.... Fourteen of these pieces written in blank verse which bears comparison with the very best models make up a thoroughly enjoyable little volume...."--_Pall Mall Gazette_, March 10th, 1876.

[Footnote A: Book II. was issued as a separate volume prior to the publication of Books I. and III. and of the complete work.]

"It is natural that the favourable reception given to his 'Songs of Two Worlds' should have led the author to continue his poetical exercises, and it is, no doubt, a true instinct which has led him to tread the cla.s.sic paths of song. In his choice of subject he has not shrunk from venturing on ground occupied by at least two Victorian poets. In neither case need he shrink from comparison. His Marsyas is full of fine fancy and vivid description. His Andromeda has to us one recommendation denied to Kingsley's--a more congenial metre; another is its unstrained and natural narrative."--_Sat.u.r.day Review_, May 20th, 1876.

"In his enterprise of connecting the Greek myth with the high and wider meaning which Christian sentiment naturally finds for it, his success has been great. The pa.s.sage in which Apollo's victory over Marsyas and its effect are described is full of exquisite beauty. It is almost as fine as verse on such a subject could be.... The little volume is delightful reading. From the first line to the last, the high and delicate aroma of purity breathes through the various spiritual fables."--_Spectator_, May 27th, 1876.

"The blank verse is stately, yet sweet, free, graceful, and never undignified. We confidently believe that our readers will agree with us in regarding this as one of the finest and most suggestive poems recently published. We trust to have, ere long, more poetic work from his hand."--_British Quarterly Review_, April 1st, 1876.

"The writer has shown himself more critical than his friends, and the result is a gradual, steady progress in power, which we frankly acknowledge.... This long pa.s.sage studded with graces."--_Academy_, April 29th, 1876.

_BOOKS I. and III. and the COMPLETE WORK._

"In one sense the idea of his Epic is not only ambitious, but audacious, for it necessarily awakens reminiscences of Dante. Not unfrequently he is charmingly pathetic, as in his Helen and Psyche. There is considerable force and no small imagination in the description of some of the tortures in the 'Tartarus.' There is genuine poetical feeling in the 'Olympus.'... We might invite attention to many other pa.s.sages. But it is more easy to give honest general praise than to single out particular extracts."--_Times_, February 9th, 1877.