The Works of George Peels. Edited by A. H. Bullen,
B.A. 2 vols. (John C. Nimmo.)—It may be doubted whether Peelo's works were worth reprinting. Some of them certainly have very slender merit indeed. The " Arraignment of Paris" is unquestionably the best. Indeed, in point of versification. it is at least on a level with anything that had been written up to that time (it was published in 1584). The editor says :—" Peele wrote a more musical blank verse than had yet been written by any English poet,"—a dictum which may be accepted if we substitute "pub- lished" for " written." Peale had not caught the secret of pause:, which, after all, makes the music of blank verse, as Shakespeare caught it. But then, we do not know what Shakespeare could do in 1584. Here is a specimen of what Peels could do :—
" Behold, to Venus Paris gave this fruit,
dayeman chosen there by full consent, And heavenly powers should not repeat their deeds. When it is said, beyond desert of hers I honoured venue with this golden prise, Ye Gods. ales I what can a mortal man Doaern betwixt the sacred gifts of heaven P
A shell of salt will serve a shepherd arain, '' A sleuder banquet in a homely scrip,
And water running from the silver sprang. For arms, they dread no Nis that sit so low ;
A thorn can keep the wind from off my back, A sheep-cot thateh'd a shepherd's palace bight."
Mr. Bullen's work as editor seems to have been carefully done.
Previous page
