Something about Satan's dart-- Something about angel wings-- Much about a broken heart-- All about unhappy things: But "the Valley Nis" at best Means "the Valley of Unrest." Later it was published in magazines and in the 1845 edition, revised and improved, and transformed into a simple landscape picture,--one of the strange, weird, unearthly landscapes so characteristic of Poe. THE COLISEUM (Page 15) This poem was submitted in the prize contest in Baltimore in 1833, and would have been successful but for the fact that the author's story, "The Manuscript Found in a Bottle," had taken the first prize in its class. It was republished several times, but not much altered. The usual spelling is "Colosseum." It is very unlikely that Poe ever saw the Colosseum, though it is barely possible his foster parents may have taken him to Rome during the English residence (see Introduction, page xii). 13-14. Apparently a reference to Jesus, but characteristically vague. 15-16. The ancient Chaldeans were famous students of the heavens and practiced fortune telling by the stars; during the Middle Ages astrologers were commonly called "Chaldeans." 17. hero fell. Explain the allusion. Read an account of the Colosseum in a history or reference book. 18. mimic eagle: the eagle on the Roman standard. 20. gilded hair: adorned with golden ornaments. 26-29. arcades, plinths, shafts, entablatures, frieze, cornices. Consult the dictionary and explain these architectural terms. 36. Memnon: a gigantic statue of this Greek hero on the banks of the Nile was said to salute the rising sun with a musical note. HYMN (Page 16) Published in 1835 in the tale "Morella," and several times afterward in magazines and collections. As an expression of simple, religious trust and hope, this poem stands quite apart from all others by Poe. TO ONE IN PARADISE (Page 17) Published in 1835 as part of the tale called "The Visionary," afterward "The Assignation"; in 1839 in a magazine under the title "To Ianthe in Heaven"; and several times afterward in magazines and in collections. It fits admirably into the story "The Assignation," where it contains this additional stanza, readily understood in its setting: Alas! for that accursed time They bore thee o'er the billow, From Love to titled age and crime And an unholy pillow-- From me, and from our misty clime Where weeps the silver willow. TO F---- (Page 18) Appeared in 1835 under the title "To Mary," and in 1842 and 1843, "To One Departed." It is not known to whom these forms were addressed. In 1845 it again appeared with the above title, which is believed to refer to Mrs. Frances Sargent Osgood, a poet of the time, whom Poe greatly admired. TO F----S S. O----D (Page 18)