26 MARCH 1898, Page 26

The Lyrical Poems of Beaumont and Pletcher. Edited by Ernest

Rhys. (J. M. Dent and Co.)—This is a pretty little volume, one of the series of "The Lyric Poets." The true lyrics of the twin dramatists do not furnish a sufficient amount even for a book of modest compass. Space, therefore, has to be filled with verse that can only be called lyrical by courtesy. Some, too, of the songs are of poor quality, and hardly worth the place they occupy. "Rate's Song" from The Knight of the Burning Pestle has very little to do with the lyre, and "Smooth was his Cheek" is nothing but doggerel, which may well have been " gag " of the actors who played the parts.