Capítulo 13 de 67

POEMS

TO

THE NOBLEST OF HER SEX

THE AUTHOR OF

“THE DRAMA OF EXILE”—

TO

MISS ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

OF ENGLAND

I DEDICATE THIS VOLUME

WITH THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC ADMIRATION AND WITH

THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM

1845 E.A.P.

PREFACE

These trifles are collected and republished chiefly with a view to their

redemption from the many improvements to which they have been subjected

while going at random the “rounds of the press.” I am naturally anxious

that what I have written should circulate as I wrote it, if it circulate

at all. In defence of my own taste, nevertheless, it is incumbent upon me

to say that I think nothing in this volume of much value to the public, or

very creditable to myself. Events not to be controlled have prevented me

from making, at any time, any serious effort in what, under happier

circumstances, would have been the field of my choice. With me poetry has

been not a purpose, but a passion; and the passions should be held in

reverence: they must not-they can not at will be excited, with an eye to

the paltry compensations, or the more paltry commendations, of man-kind.

E. A. P.

1845