E441000E. Poems (1844).
The New Quarterly Review, October 1844, p. 570.
As reprinted in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 9, 339–340.
This lady is with us a most especial favourite, and we have only to regret that space will not permit us to do her justice on the present occasion. We prefer however her lighter poems to her more extended pieces. In Vol. I., we have read with great delight the “Romaunt of the Page,” and the “Lay of the Brown Rosary.” “The Lady Geraldine,” though easy in parts, we consider a failure; and it is not unmixed with affectations—such as “Resonant Steam Eagles”, for one example, which we frankly confess for a time perplexed us, and led us to doubt whether the illusion could possibly be to a locomotive engine. The “Rhyme of the Duchesse May,” is however so thrilling in effect that it may gratify the learned and pious authoress to be informed that when it was read in a society at which the writer was present, one of the ladies left the room and was found alone and in tears at the fearful dénouement, nor did she recover her gaiety during the remainder of the day. As poets love that we should sup full of horrors, we have thought it right to give Miss Barrett this testimony to her power. “Catari[n]a to Camoens,” is also deeply affecting, though a better burthen might have been selected than “Sweetest Eyes were ever seen.” We regret we are unable to cite any specimens from poetry equally distinguished for its piety, its simplicity, and its touching tenderness.
Reviewed:
Poems (EBB), London: Edward Moxon, 1844.
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