Philip of Konigsmarlet, and other Poems. By Maresco Pearce, B.A.
(Pickering.)—The Guardian Angel, and other Poems. By Joseph Verey. (Clarke.)—There is a sufficient general resemblance between these two volumes to warrant us in coupling them together in a single notice. Each of them rises, though not to the same degree, above the ordinary standard of minor poetry ; each consists of a dramatic sketch, with a number of shorter poems, by way of padding ; and in each the principal piece is certainly not the best. Of the two, however, Mr. Pearce's volume is much the more noticeable, in every way. This gentleman not only writes smooth and musical verses, but he possesses a very perceptible share of the true poetic faculty, and displays occasionally real originality of thought. We have not space to quote from his writings at sufficient length to justify our opinion ; but we may refer the reader to the song about the lily and the bee which occurs in the drama, and to the poem entitled, " The Puritan's Daughter." Mr. Verey also writes smooth and readable verses, and has some poetic taste, but we can scarcely say that we have succeeded in finding in his writings much originality of thought. A stanza from one of his best poems, an " inscription for a statue of Time," will enable the reader to form a sufficiently accurate estimate of his power.
" Why paint me old ? thus seeking to deride me, No sign of age lurks in my giant stride ;
The whirling hurricane is slow beside me,—
The arrow'd lightning lingers at my side ;- Far-darting Thought has ne'er my speed o'ertaken.
Why call me old? who still in power unshaken, The sunbeam's dazzling swiftness has defied." We may add that the profits arising from the sale of Mr. Verey's volume are to be devoted to the fund in aid of the Poles.
Previous page
