THE SONGS OF ROOKWOOD." 



IN redeeming the promise which we last month made to our readers, 

 and placing before them an uninterrupted series of the beautiful and 

 diversified lyrics of " Rookwood," we conceive that we shall confer no 

 inconsiderable favour, even upon those (and we trust they are many) 

 v who are already acquainted with that energetic Romance : for when 

 borne along by the breathless excitement of a wildly interesting 

 story, the mind is apt to regard the introduction of scattered poesy as 

 impertinence rather than a gratification, and to pass it over without 

 notice, and thus it not unfrequently happens that the most exquisite 

 morceaux are altogether neglected. That this is the case with the 

 readers of " Rook wood" we pretend not to say. We hope not 

 but still it is just possibleand for this reason, if for no other, 

 have we resolved to consider Mr. Ainsworth's character as a song- 

 writer, separately and distinctly from that of a novelist ; and to 

 bring within one view the many and varied aspects in which he has 

 chosen to exhibit his powers. 



Highly as we think of the romance of " Rookwood," we incline to 

 believe that genius of a loftier order has been manifested in these lyrics 

 than in thenarrative in which they are woven. Mr. Ainsworth has fine 

 poetical powers, which only require cultivation to produce their full de- 

 velopment. The germ of song is sown within his heart. As Rogers said 

 of Byron, the " bee has touched his lips :" music henceforth must flow 

 from them. He has a sense of modulation and harmony which give 

 even to the words, divested of the accompaniment of music, a musical 

 cadence. We sing them as we read, and almost fancy the tune ; and 

 this, after all, is the secret and indescribable charm of Moore his 

 words ever sing his soul is song his faculties are harmonious. The 

 thrush cannot pour forth strains more fresh and natural. Rhythm and 

 modulation are the tests of excellence in the lyric poet ; and no man 

 ever possessed rhythmical perceptions in an equal degree with Shel- 

 ley. What variety what intonation what singing harmony per- 

 vades all his minor poems ! Every impassioned thought finds its ap- 

 propriate expression clothed in the music of verse. Excepting Her- 

 rick, he was the first of our lyric poets, perhaps the first of all other 

 lyric poets and if our readers would form a fair estimate of his genius, 

 let them reflect how fade and feeble, in comparison with his exqui- 

 site songs, are the emasculate efforts of Barry Cornwall, and the herd 

 of lesser imitators. 



The present is not a poetical age granted. But at the same time 

 greater encouragement was never held out to the song-writer. A bal- 

 lad indifferently written, if fortunately adapted to a taking melody, 

 and subsequently sung by some fashionable vocalist, will bring its 

 author high repute, and what is of more consequence to himself, a 

 return more substantial. Songs sell, and well too as Haynes Bay- 

 ly, Planche, Ball, and others, can sufficiently testify ; and knowing this, 

 it has always surprised us that some man of real genius and talent has 



M.M. No. 103. I 



