There is a good deal about Perkin Warbeck,
a poem called “Jonquil and Fleur de Lys” of a
very unhealthy character, and really very little else
in the book.
Then there is a poem called “ Prince Charming,”
incredibly sickly and sentimental; but, worse than
all, the poem called “ Two Loves,” beginning with
the celebrated quotation from Shakespeare—‘ My
better angel is a man right fair, my worse a woman
tempting me to ill.” In a vision the “poet” sees
two people; the first is joyous, and sings; the
second walks aside :—
“He is full sad and sweet, and his large eyes
Were strange with wondrous brightness, and staring wide
With gazing ; and he sighed with many sighs
That moved me, and his cheeks were wan and white
Like pallid lilies, and his lips were red
Like poppies, and his hands he clenchéd tight,
And yet again unclenchéd, and his head
Was wreathed with moon-flowers pale as lips of death.””
This poem ends with a controversy between these
two persons :
“.. .. [pray thee speak me sooth :
What is thy name?’ He said, ‘ My name is Love.’
Then straight the first did turn himself to me
And cried, ‘ He lieth, for his name is Shame ;
But I am Love, and I was wont to be
Alone in this fair garden, till he came
Unasked by night ; Iam true Love, I fill
The hearts of boy and girl with mutual flame.’
‘Then sighing said the other, ‘ Have thy will.
I am the Love that dare not speak its name.’ '*
But the great joke is a tragedy in one act enti-
tled. “When the King comes he is welcome.”
There are two characters in it, Giovanni and
Francisco. Francisco cannot sleep, having a
presentiment that something unpleasant is about
to happen. Then there is a knock, and at his
private door. It cannot be Giovanni, for “that
honey-bee is hived in telson It is Giovanni,