New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-21
the general progress in poetry is as much in us es

the general progress in poetry Is much In us es
sential qualities as la the external grace.
What is to be the future of poetry VINO can b.y
With the advance of knowledge the rehnempnt -, ol
thought and expression, the sense of beauty may %
revealed to tho mind in ways. More anu mUIo
find poetry dIfused through rich prose Dut tie
concrete substance will not be exhaused thereoy'
poetry is Nh to be dissolved or dissPated. Ito.
The old forms will never return. Inc cOu 'ialI'y
Of modern thought Is not the medium iOr inc FIs-
ions of the Diyina COmmcdia or OF PARADISE Los.
A contemporary Dante would wreak his noDIe rage
the affairs of the worlds surface, anu not upou
the dwellers OF the under gloom. new Milion
would construct his aerial edIice under tue NisOo
sky. .
Neither will the epic return The nearest APP
proach I'm day is in the Arthurian poems puo
even these are sepaTable-not Of necessity collin
nous and taking them .ogether we feel nt.io "a
the cresccRdO movement, the up-gatherhB oi loi00'
which characterizes the epic cycle. - 1890
In modern poetry we that the best effects are
produced In efforts of moderate length A poem Is
an enjoyment for Il sitting. The exalted teelng
which il is the work of poetry TO excite IS neCes-
sarily transient The movement OF Ieonng - SWli',
and at the climax the ecstasy dies. 1t we look Tor
the masterpieces of modern poets, we find them IN
varlably short. Even narrative poems are slOhKH
condensed, aud we find that " LYangchne., iOf III
stance ia as long as tho taste OF our day al Ows
The principal quality, however, IN modern poetry
is the universal recognition OF high Ideals IN Ire;
even among the humblest-in the doctrines 81
equality and brotherhOOd-In the cultivation OF
tolerance and chartv-in short in the lncuication
of the true gospel" good news OF peace on
earth and good VIII towards men, In TINS way tne
vat-d UNNECESSARILY. Though the doctrine De as
old as the Christian era its appearance and It's com
handing influence in poetry are as new III this
century as the spectrum analysis, or the doctrine
OF the correlation of forces
Two great poets have been born in England.
After them there are dozen OF twenty, prrmaP -,
about whose relative rank men Will cohtnue W
differ. When the name OF poetry Ms
new, it sigmiied emotional thougnt'
music, and rhythInicaI movement VosetnGIi.
Tie emphasis was literally marked by Jeet ana me
measure was iOated musical waves NOW VIie
triple ecstasy exists no logger Inc emphasis -
marked and the music Is heard by an inner hensc;
III the ancient idea of poetry were 10 DC llSi5ocu
upon, there could not be found half dozen poG g
in "a century. In our time they would De chIcuJ
Swlnbnrne, Shelley, Moore and Tennyson. I'LL.
Swmburne finds the era bed Englsh pIaole
ii molten to his touch and the music oil us lines
Is as exquisite might be that OF fary 9rcu9slra'
The AIRY melody OF lcnnysOns songs III Inc rIi III
cess" have never been surpassed,-hOI even oy
Shakespeare. This wonderful music lhe verse vi
L0ngtellOw has never reproduced ana yet Us ui~
tlngulshing features are pure melody ana grace
The poem measures the poet, ana II cannot ue dS
broad as humanity unless the poet Is IN hllhselI "a
representative man. We recognize limitations III
IOnpfellOW as we recognize them in all the poets
for two centuries. We rarely find IN him the
thoughts that dazzle and strike Ike lightning; nor
is he to be compared with some even OF MS own
rank in The sweep of Imagination, sun less III inc
intensity OF feeling. The stream OF his song mas
been
strong without rage without o'erGowng fun
Rut his powers were rare his studies and opportu-
mites helpful hlS sense OF proportion anu O iolouy
exquisite, his perception OF beauty Keen MS SYN
pathy boundless; and as he has addressed the
hearts of all men, he has been singing for over nan
a century with the world for an audience. 1t IS
easy to point out where he Is INFERIOR IN lsoIa'ea
abilities 10 other poets but he has totally OF
Ills own embracing many elements IN when
even greater geniuses have no snare;
and in the extent and diversity or his
works he stands the peer OF any.
The treasures of the whole world nave Dee1
opcn to our many-lauguaged man; Inc DlooSonS Vi
every garden have yielded him perfumes anu noT
in his verse we have the aroma dlstllleu ITO" hii
lions of lilies and roses
LAST WORDS.
Mr. Underwood concludes his biography with these
solemn and tender words, upon which every heart
will make ITS own comment of silent benedct0n:
After the natural tears at parting. there could be
No regret felt for the close of such perfect ana
IyelI-rounded life From boyhOOd lie had borne MS
mart and had been faithful TO the talents mirusted
In him His life had been not only without STAN,
but without shadow 1t was NE that Snone f TItH
foil but crowned with honor and with the Iull
fruiton of his hopes it was life hallOWed by the
nurest affection by the sweet SOlace OF chlluIeH Dy
fhe devoted love of friends by the reVeret respect
NJ feiow-citlzens and neighbOrs. aud by the abso-
Int worship of humble dependents, who knew his
open and generous ne;trt. -,
lie had accomplished vast work, WMch n'9
6lIed ont the whole of his allotted time. lie could
have had little To regret and having reached
period when according to the Psamist, the contlhu
ancs of his strength would be only labor anu
sorrow he could calmly resign himself To the last
Great change sustained by an immortal hope.
In coming times the lover of poetry, as lie visits
Cambridge, will regard the poets grave as ho!y
spot The grand Old house, let w. nope VIII remain
a. he left it, as long Time shall spare II. AND the
sculptor will mould IN bronze his yenerated form
and noble features in classic and enduring grace, 50
that something like his presence may DC seen 10
overlook the beautiful landscape.