The Poets' Bible. By W. Garrett Horder. (Isbister and Co.)—
It would be difficult to find a more interesting, and we might say, valuable volume than The Poets' Bible. Many great names in song confront us, and the poetry, considered as poetry, is often noble and dignified. Of Milton it is unnecessary to speak ; he alone in nobility of thought and dignity of language can be considered to approach the magnificent diction cf the Scrip- tures. " The Cities of the Plain," by Whittier, after the manner of Byron's famous poem, "The Assyrian," if it has not quite the rhythm and splendour of Byron, is yet a spirited an d striking poem. Among those which possess much beauty, we may mention : "The Sacrifice of Abraham," by N. P. Willis ; `‘ The Finding of Moses," by John Grahame ; " On the Change of Pharoe's Fortunes," by Francis Quarles ; " Pi-Hahiroth," by C. L. Ford, a poem in the metre of Macaulay's "Naseby," and possessing a fine rhythm and march ; " Deborah's Song," by R. S. Hawker; " Jephthah's Daughter," by Byron. We have quoted a few only, but the volume will repay him who opens it. The quaintness of Quarles, the majesty of Milton, and the beauty of Byron's few pieces will delight all. Amongst the minor poems many will find pure and lofty sentiment, if not a high order of execution. If, after reading the great original, a poem may still be enjoyed, no higher praise can be needed. We cannot say this of the poem by Sandys, " Lamentation of David over Saul and Jonathan." The Poets' Bible should be in all libraries.
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