Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-24

the finest of his poetical creations. Az
Ter his return from England, so lau-
relied and rejoicing, he had to all an
pearances 4 long vista of happy years,
bright with the love of n tender wife
ara blooming children, stretched out
before HIN. In those days life was per
iious in Ireland. Scarcely was he set
tea In his home when rebellion arose.
iiordes OF "long-coated peasants" gath,
ered around Eilcolrnan. The poet and
ms wife escaped with difficulty. It Is
s'iiu u new born child, having been left
pehind, persisted in the flames when the
rebels sacked the castle Three months
ilter spenser breathed his last at West
minister, at the early age of Az His ia
d common tale of life-bright hopes
crushing blow-a broken heart-an
early death.
THE FAERIE QUEENE."
In Sponsors letter to Raleigh ha
speaks of his masterpiece as "a con-
tlnued allegory OF dark conceit" The
Faerie Queene." by whom the knight
~ were sent forth, indicated Glory in
general, put more particularly "tho
most excellent and glorious person of
Queen Elizabeth" Twelve virtues are
represented by twelve knights. who
were sent forth from the court of the
Glorious Queen of Fairyland Each OF
the six finished books is divided into
twelve cantos. They give the legends
of Holiness, Temperance. Chastity
Friendship. Justice and Courtesy. The
ordinary reader need not feel that he
Should grasp the whole allegory. The
nigh moral and religious aim Of the
writer will not be missed There Is no
DOUBT many of the leading personages
OIL sponsors time are represented. Eliz-
abeth, Mary Queen of Scots, Leicester.
etc. are represented by Glorlana.
lpuessa, Prince Arthur. etc. The object
OF the poet was, following the example
OF Homer. Virgil, Ariosto and Tasso:
10 write book, colored with historical
hction. which should fashion a gentle
man or noble person in virtuous and
gentle disposition" OF the twelve
DOCKS planned we have only six. The
SIN form descending scale OF merit
me first two have the fresh bloom OF
genius upon them. The third contains
e. Inc exquisite pictures of womanhood:
out Ill the last three the divine fire is
seen only In titful and uncertain flashes
III attempting to suggest for the reader
SPECIMENS OF Sponsors poetry the task
~ embarrassing. on account of the
i.ahy familiar passages so dear to stu
dents OF literature. Perhaps n first ac-
qrain'ance might be made by reading
troin the "Facrie Queene'I such mas
SaSeS as mat relating to the Red Cross
Knight ana Una, at the beginning OF
look J.. or that of Belphoebc. Book
IL. 'A
NERSlFICATION. STYLE AND
RANK.
1rehser wrote the "Faerie Quccne,"
"it"r having his head full of the ro-
mantle noets Of Italy The melody OF
thelr heroic mctcr-the ottaya rima-
h2u fallen on his ear. To this meter he
moaeu Il grace of his own. the ninth
me an AieXandrine-to close the ca
uehcc. The stan2a in which the rreot
poem IS written. and which bears tho
poets name. has been compared to the
swelling wave of summer sea. which
sweeps on until 1t breaks upon the
Icop!N Snore IN long and measured flow
ne bower OF the grand Spenserlan
stanZa has been proved by Thomson.
Campbell and byron.
,Spenscr was the first poet who might
challenge comparison with Chaucer.
Inc Inc new poet" became the recognized
title of the author of the .'Faerle
Qucene" His power of invention was
extraordinary. All the past was dis
played TO View with its imagery, illu-
sion ana glory. The passion of conflict.
lhe grossness OF sin and the tarnish of
sordid motives were superseded by
what was graceful noble and true.
Next 10 Dante among the Italians. next
To Homer and Virgil among the an
GENTS, SpenSer must be ranked and
surpassed only by Shakespeare and per-
haps Milton in English literature. or all
our poets he Is most truly sensuous. but
OF so chastc and ardent a nature that
| in his paintings sentiment, passion or
material loneliness becomes something
| higher than is generally seen on earth.
i'y his ideal method OF treatment he
greatly Influenced the stlye and Ian
gliagc of later poets. He had many imi-
tntors among third-ratc poets. The
masters of style have studied his pro-
duc;lons. Milton called him "our sage
arh Dryden claimed him for n master.
| Nordswcrth and Shcllev show traces OF
ms influence and the originality Of his
| @rnins. as well as the high moral tone
| Of his sentiments. has become a stand
lrg protest against what is low, pedan-
tic and commonplace.
II 4 mn