matic Poetry), from Chaucer to Campbell (here mentioned because he is the latest deceased poet); — the Poetry of Contemplation, from Surrey to Campbell; -the Poetry of Wit and Humour, from Chaucer to Byron; and the Poetry of Song, or Lyrical Poetry, from Chaucer again (see in his Works his admirable and only song, beginning Hide, Absalom, thy gilded tresses clear) to Campbell again, and Burns, and O'Keefe. These volumes if he is not mistaken, would present the Public with the only selection, hitherto made, of none but genuine poetry; and he would take care, that it should be unobjectionable in every other respect.* KENSINGTON, Sept. 10, 1844. * While closing the Essay on Poetry, a friend lent me Coleridge's Biographia Literaria, which I had not seen for many years, and which I mention, partly to notice a coincidence at page 44 of the Essay, not otherwise worth observation; and partly to do what I can towards extending the acquaintance of the public with a book containing masterly expositions of the art of poetry. CONTENTS. AN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, "WHAT IS POETRY?" SELECTIONS FROM SPENSER, WITH CRITICAL NOTICE ARCHIMAGO'S HERMITAGE AND THE HOUSE OF MORPHEUS |