MR. SWINBURNE’S WORKS.
Second Edition now ready of
Bothwell: A Tragedy. By Algernon Charles Swinburne. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, pp. 540, 12s. 6d.
“Mr. Swinburne’s most prejudiced critic cannot, we think, deny that ‘Bothwell’ is a poem of a very high character. Every line bears traces of power, individuality, and vivid imagination. The versification, while characteristically supple and melodious, also attains, in spite of some affectations, to a sustained strength and dignity of a remarkable kind. Mr. Swinburne is not only a master of the music of language, but he has that indescribable touch which discloses the true poet—the touch that lifts from off the ground.”—Saturday Review.
“It is not too much to say that, should he never write anything more, the poet has by this work firmly established his position, and given us a poem upon which his fame may safely rest. He no longer indulges in that frequent alliteration, or that oppressive wealth of imagery and colour, which gave rhythm and splendour to some of his works, but would have been out of place in a grand historical poem; we have now a fair opportunity of judging what the poet can do when deprived of such adventitious aid,—and the verdict is, that he must henceforth rank amongst the first of British authors.”—Graphic.
“The whole drama flames and rings with high passions and great deeds. The imagination is splendid; the style large and imperial; the insight into character keen; the blank verse varied, sensitive, flexible, alive. Mr. Swinburne has once more proved his right to occupy a seat among the lofty singers of our land.”—Daily News.
“A really grand, statuesque dramatic work.... The reader will here find Mr. Swinburne at his very best, if manliness, dignity, and fulness of style are superior to mere pleasant singing and alliterative lyrics.”—Standard.
“Splendid pictures, subtle analyses of passion, and wonderful studies of character will repay him who attains the end.... In this huge volume are many fine and some unsurpassable things. Subtlest traits of character abound, and descriptive passages of singular delicacy.”—Athenæum.
“There can be no doubt of the dramatic force of the poem. It is severely simple in its diction, and never dull; there are innumerable fine touches on almost every page.”—Scotsman.