The Portland daily press., 1879-11-15
Recent Publications.

Bland; A Poem by Robert D. Joyce, author
of Derdre. Boston: Roberts Brothers; Port
land: Loring, Short & Harmony. 1t is rare
gift of good fortune, as well as mark of prac-
tical power, when writer strikes at once into
the path of literature most fit for his feet. This
is the case with DR.. Joyce, whose fine poem,
Deirdre--which appeared in the No Name
Series-won instant recognition for its author
as new and notable acquisition to the ranks
of our poets. Moreover, in Deirdre there was
a fresh flavor; natural, free movement; and
style SO unaffected, so direct and simple in its
expression and so unstinted in its passion ard
strength-that the public and critics easily
understood that its author was no copyist, no
maker of graceful verses to be lost among
thousands of their like, but man with lit
erary speciality and native gift of expression.
In Bland the same traits that characterized
the authors earlier poem appear unspoiled
and unchanged. The freshness Of DR.. Joyce's
style remains untouched by other literary in
tluences; very few among modern poets can
tell o story with as simple and unconscious
speech as this it has an antique strength that
is notable, an olden trait of answering move
ment that is refreshing. The form of verse
chosen is the stanza of six lines, and the
smoothness, grace, and variety of cadence
merit full praise. The argument Of the poem
is founded upon a Celtic legend of the Princess
Blanid, the osSom-Bright and this tragic
and wild story gives great scope to the poets
imagination and to his fine and sympathetic
knowledge of the mythical history of his ma
tive country. DR.. Joyce's use of language is
very Just and beautiful; and the brightness,
movement and effect of his verse prove him to
possess genuinely poetic nature and talent
which is capable of extended and admirable
production. His narrative verse is better than
his lyric passages, generally speaking; al
though among the latter the dialogue of the
priests and the stricken people is superb in its
varied music and its tragic intensity; and the
songs of the spirits of battle Songs which imi-
tate allowably the manner of Mr.. William
Morris's Niblungsand Volsungs) ring like
spear on shield. The music, color and force of
the last scene form brilliant climax. The
poets Envoi to the Bard to be, the future
singer of Erin, is a model of graceful and ex-
pressive verse. The pressure upon the review
ing columns which always occurs as the holi-
day season approaches, prevents extended and
minute analysis of any one workout among
the volumes included in the new books OF the
year, few are of more fresh and thorough poet
ic quality than Bland, and few more attrac-
tive and desirable DR.. Joyce's second work
fully confirms the fine impression made by the
previous poem.
An exceedingly fine and valuable addition
to the critical department of literature, is Mr..
Arthur Gilman's edition of Chaucer's Poems
Boston: Hougton & Osgood; Portland: Loring,
Short &, Harmony. The happy effect of Chau-
GERS verse upon all following poetic literature
of the English language, is incalculable. 1t Is
not too much to declare that to him, more than
to any other singer, English poetry owesi its
progress toward perfection. His voice was
that of the early lark after night through
which Song wandered, blind and hopeless.
| And whoever takes little pains to look at
the rude and vague poetic forms, the poverty
! of poetic fancy which existed before Chaucer's
time, will surely feel the gratitude that is due
! to the master-singer The verse of Chaucer is