the fire of Dryden, the imagery of Shakespeare, the simplicity of Spenser, the courtliness of Prior, the humor of Swift, the wit of Cowley, the delicacy of Addison, the tenderness of Otway, and the invention, the spirit, and sublimity of Milton, joined in any single writer." Perhaps not. {154} But Shenstone had never read Tennyson, and there is no knowing what he might have thought if he had conned the calm majesty of _Ulysses_; the classical beauty of _Tithonus_ and the _Princess_; the luxuriant eloquence of _Locksley Hall_; the deep lyrical flow of _The Letters_ and _The Voyage_; the _'cute_ drollery of the _Northern Farmer_; the idyllic sweetness of _OEnone_; the grandeur of _Morte d'Arthur_; the touching simplicity of _Enoch Arden_; the power and pathos of _Aylmer's Field_; the perfect minstrelsy of the _Rivulet_, and the songs, _O Swallow, Swallow_, and _Tears, Idle Tears_; and the sharps and trebles of the _Brook_, more musical than Mendelssohn. Far be it from us to carp at any poetry because it proceeds from one who is not a Catholic. We believe, indeed, firmly that, if Tennyson had been imbued with the ancient faith, it would have cleared some vagueness both from his mind and his verse. But in these days, when Socinianism, positivism, and free-thinking in various shapes are taking such strong hold of educated men, we rejoice unfeignedly to find popular writings marked, even in an imperfect degree, with Christian doctrine and feeling. The influence exerted by the Laureate in the world of letters is great, and we have, therefore, endeavored at some length to show how far it is favorable, and how far unfavorable, to the cause of truth. Though unhappily not a Catholic, we recognize with delight the fact that he is not an infidel, and we feel persuaded that some at least of our readers will be pleased at our having placed in a prominent point of view the redeeming features in the religious character of his poetry. ------------- Poland When, fixed in righteous wrath, a nation's eye Torments some crowned tormentor with just hate. Nor threat nor flattery can that gaze abate; Unshriven the unatoning years go by; For as that starry archer in the sky Unbends not his bright bow, though early and late The syren sings, and folly weds with fate, Even so that constellated destiny Which keeps fire-vigil in a night-black heaven, Upon the countenance of the doomed looks forth Consentient with a nation's gaze on earth: To the twinned powers a single gaze is given; The earthly fate reveals the fate on high-- A brazen serpent raised, that says, not "live," but "die." Aubrey de Vere. ------------- {155} Professor Draper's Books. [Footnote 45]