In the series of " The Golden Poets," Edited by
Oliphant Smeaton (T. C. and E. C. Jack, 2s. 6d. net each), we have the Poems of Spenser, Selected and with Introduction by W. B. Yeats, and Poems of Whittier, with the same by A. C. Benson. Mr. Yeats's criticism of Spenser is a particularly fine piece of work, though we should not be willing to subscribe to all of its judgments. Mr. Yeats goes, as may easily be imagined, beyond his immediate subject. He tells us, for instance, that rhyme is "one of the secondary causes of that disintegration of the personal instincts which has given to modern poetry its deep colour for colour's sake, its overflowing pattern, its background of decora- tive landscape, and its insubordination of detail." This is a hard saying, and, indeed, Mr. Yeats keeps us always at the utmost stretch of our attention. But his introduction is full of suggestion. The selection is by subjects, not by poems. We have, for instance, a section entitled "Happy and Un- happy Love," in which we find "A Hymne of Heavenly Beautie," "Teares of the Muses" (385-402), "Poems in Honour of Cupid," and four extracts from the "Faerie Queen." Section II., "Courtiers and Great Men," gives us four pieces from the minor poems, and eight from the "Faerie Queen." The specimens of the minor poems, which are not sufficiently valued or studied, are specially welcome. Mr. A. C. Benson on Whittier rises above the average level of the writer of introductions. His picture of the poet is excellently drawn. The "most blameless of men" is given to the life. The selection seems to be well made; but where is "Barbara Frietchie" P Surely the poet would have been vexed to think that this did not find a place in any selection of his work. The "Golden Poets" has certainly made an excellent beginning.
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