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[1st edition, 1st printing] ; vi, 220 p. ; 18 cm. ; LC: PS2986 ; OCLC: 488654576 ; "The ottava rima is undoubtedly better adapted for the purposes of a romantic epic than either the Spenserian stanza or the heroic couplet; but it needs the element of humor (as in Byron's "Don Juan") to relieve its uniform sweetness. On the other hand, the proper compactness and strength of rhythm can with difficulty be preserved in a poem where all form of stanza is discarded. My aim has been, as far as possible, to combine the advantages and lessen the objections of both." ; Contents : Proem -- To the artists -- Book I : The artist -- Book II : The woman -- Book III : he child -- Book IV : The picture ; "'The Picture of St. John' had now come to absorb his thought. At first working at it alternately with the 'Story of Kennett,' he became so fascinated by the poem that he pushed aside his novel, and everything else which stood in the way, and abandoned himself to the luxury of composition."--Marie Hansen Taylor ; "I commenced 'The Picture of St. John' in June, 1850, with no very clear conception, and no more serious purpose than to write a narrative poem of love and sorrow, with an artist as the hero. Its only relation to art, as nearly as I can recall my idea, was this: that the artist should seek his subject in nature, and in his own experience of life. The picture of the young St. John, painted from his child, was to be the basis of his fame and success. My conception of the poem was wholly and intensely subjective. Some providential instinct held me from writing more than twenty-two stanzas, and even when, in 1854, I recommenced, a vague feeling that the theme contained material which I was not mature enough to use made me desist. But I never gave up the idea of completing the poem at some future time. I carried this book with me, everywhere, upon my travels, - to Sweden, Germany, Italy, Greece; to Germany again; even upon lecturing tours through our Western States, - but never seriously took up the pen until after completing 'Hannah Thurston,' in St. Petersburg, about the end of March, 1863; and feeling the urgent need of some further creative exercise of what faculties I have, I resumed this poem rather as an experiment. I soon discovered, by the new and more important shape which it assumed in my mind, that the time had come when, if ever, it should be written. Since then, for nearly two years and a half, it has been constantly present to my imagination; and, with little variation from the original outline of the story, the whole character and purpose of the poem has changed." --Bayard Taylor to George H. Boker ; repairs to hinges ; covers show wear ; some staining ; store stamp ; FAIR. Seller Inventory # 006794
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