The Writing On the Ground

There is a good deal about Perkin Warbeck, a poem called “Jonquil and Fleur de Lys” of a very unhealthy character, and really very little else in the book. Then there is a poem called “ Prince Charming,” incredibly sickly and sentimental; but, worse than all, the poem called “ Two Loves,” beginning with the celebrated quotation from Shakespeare—‘ My better angel is a man right fair, my worse a woman tempting me to ill.” In a vision the “poet” sees two people; the first is joyous, and sings; the second walks aside :— “He is full sad and sweet, and his large eyes Were strange with wondrous brightness, and staring wide With gazing ; and he sighed with many sighs That moved me, and his cheeks were wan and white Like pallid lilies, and his lips were red Like poppies, and his hands he clenchéd tight, And yet again unclenchéd, and his head Was wreathed with moon-flowers pale as lips of death.”” This poem ends with a controversy between these two persons : “.. .. [pray thee speak me sooth : What is thy name?’ He said, ‘ My name is Love.’ Then straight the first did turn himself to me And cried, ‘ He lieth, for his name is Shame ; But I am Love, and I was wont to be Alone in this fair garden, till he came Unasked by night ; Iam true Love, I fill The hearts of boy and girl with mutual flame.’ ‘Then sighing said the other, ‘ Have thy will. I am the Love that dare not speak its name.’ '* But the great joke is a tragedy in one act enti- tled. “When the King comes he is welcome.” There are two characters in it, Giovanni and Francisco. Francisco cannot sleep, having a presentiment that something unpleasant is about to happen. Then there is a knock, and at his private door. It cannot be Giovanni, for “that honey-bee is hived in telson It is Giovanni,