New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-23
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
RICHARD HENRY sToDDARD.

RICHARD HENRI oIODOAA'D'
THE POEMS OF RICHARD HENRY STODDDAtSDI.
COMPLETE Edition. evo. pp. 4os Charles scrloheI
Sons. -,
The eminent place of Mr. stoddard among Amerl-
can poets has been won by the long cultivation Oh
rare natural gifts, combining high creative power
of imagination delicate and subtle faDcies, quick
sense of poetic beauty, singular aptitude for PEN
s,ve and even solemn contemplation, and an in
stinctiye tendency to transfgdfe the experience OF
life into artistic imagery, and tender graceful anu
Nueeestive expression Not many of our living poets
have united, TO so great degree, the endowmentS
of original genius with reverent obedience to the
claims of classical art. Although of an exception
ally sensitive temperament, the lntellect oi "iI;
Stoddard is of virile cast ; he IS never en'iceu
from the sphere of masculine taste by so1t' liuslVe
fanc,es: even in the lOftiest flights to when ne
scars his eye is fixed on the green eorlh' anu
he is sure TO return in due season 10 tne laHlliai
homo from which lie ventures on DIS airy
.~cnrsions. Some of his lighter pieces are
as exquisitely dainty as the dew Wnich spalA'es
in the morning grass; but the pervading tone OF
his noems is that of deep reflection, no less than OF
cbaste and vigorous expression. Like all genuine
poes Mr. Stoddard is largely receptive OF the lniiu
ence of kindred poetic natures. The stars when
shine down sereney from the upper ornament are
always welcomed with friendly JOY, and he loves 10
lead his steps toward the track OF Ilght WHICH
beams from their presence. But he Is never SET
vile or passive follower of the masters who some
times rule his spirit from their uns." lhe touches
of Shakespeare or Milton, or Keats which are often
felt on his ewelled pages, do not impair bis own
brightness of conception or freedom of movement
1.-THE Castle IN the Air" which opens the present
collection. affords, perhaps the most STRIKING e&
ample of the good company which the poet mas
kept but no one will the less enjoy the fragrant
off bpcauS0
an odor of the roses and orange flowers which have
RECALLED his senses i'll other gardens.
THE CASTLE.
My Castle stands alone,
IN some delicious cline,
Away from Earth and time,
In Fancy's troplc zone
Where ali the lifelong year the summer never dies
A stately marble pile whose pillows rise
with TTeathed freezes crowned, aud rare device
OF carven leaves, like ragged rims OF Foam
The spacious Windows front the rising sun,
And when its splendor smiteS them many-paneo'
Tri-arched, and richly stained,
A thOusand mornings brighten there as one
Before the Castle lies Il shaVeh avn,
sioping and shining in the dews OF dawn'
With turfy terraces, and garden bowers
Where rows Of slender full Of flowers.
Oaks Overarch the winding avenues, 49,,
Edged round with evergreens OF tadeless Dioom'
And pour food OF UteTmingling hues
In green and golden gloom.
Far-seen through twinking leaves,
The fountains spout alOft like silver sheaves,
Shalung in marble basins pure and cola,
A drainiess beaded shower of diamond grain,
Which winnOws OF In sunlumned ram
A cloud OF misty gold.
And swans arc foating ronnd the rfled tide,
Through beds o! bowling lines chaste ana whlte,
Like royal ladies. beauteOus in Their pride,
Rweeping amid their maids with trains OF light
A herd of dappled deer, with startled looks,
In quiet parks within whose sha lie they browse,
Drunk from the lucid brooks,
Their autlers miITored with the tangled boughs,
NV rivers flow beyond with gudrdant ranks
or silver-livered pOpars ON their banks.
Whereat my barges ride,
With gilden pennUns blown from side 10 side.
Then comes q dreamy range OF distant bowers,
With rounded nils and hollow wales between,
And folded lawns in everlasting green;
And last, IL lire of palaces aud towers
That lessen on till IhOuI talnS bar the view,
Shooting their jagged peaks subimely up the blue.
The interior of the castle is depicted in style of
ideal maenifcence which may be envied. but not
approachcd, by the full-blown glOries of modern
<lecorotiye