R420716A. King Victor and King Charles.

The Atlas, 16 July 1842, p. 458.

Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 6.

If Mr. Taylor falls short on the one hand, in the way of fancy, Mr. Browning loses himself in excesses on the opposite side. We have endeavoured in vain to make out the drift of this poem of Victor and Charles. We certainly see two very strongly-contrasted personages moving through the tessellated dialogue, but beyond that all is palpable obscurity. The title, to say the least of it, is utterly unintelligible. Bells and pomegranates! Pips and grasshoppers! Mr. Browning has high poetical powers;—why does he waste them in these silly vanities?

Reviewed:

Bells & Pomegranates. No. II. King Victor and King Charles (RB), London: Edward Moxon, 1842.

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