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。