EDMONDS’S POEMS.—D’ISRAELI’S NARRATIVE POEMS. 
be forgotten. Two thousand words 
would make a large proportion of the 
poet’s vocabulary. That Camoens did 
much in improving the language is cer- 
tain. ‘To nouns, which before were 
used only in the plural, he gave a sin- 
gular: he changed the termination of 
proper names for the sake of euphony: 
he lengthened some words ; abbreviated 
others ; revived some which had become 
obsolete; and made many from the 
Latin. Sometimes, says Antonio das 
Neves, he abused this liberty, and coined 
words almost macaronic. But, in ge- 
eral, his innovations were so analogous 
to the nature of the language, that oc- 
casioning no dificulty, and exciting no 
surprize, they were quietly naturalized. 
THESE effusions of early genius are 
modestly introduced by the following 
advertisement : 
« Parental affection, perhaps, has regarded 
the following juvenile productions, of a 
uch-loved son, with too great a degree of 
rtiality. From those who bear the ho- 
oured name of parent, she has nothing to 
fear in thus giving to the world a collection 
within that class, by referring them to the 
early period of the writer's life when they 
were composed. 
Sept. 5, 1803. «¢ M. EpMonps.” 
Are we to infer, that after he had 
ssed his eighteenth year, Mr. Ed- 
onds turned his back on the muses? 
at they were not coy to his infant 
oings, the following lines, written on 
the death of a school-tellow, John Grif- 
iths, will sufficiently-prove. This elegy 
| written both in Latin and English ; 
we give the latter: 
O, gloomy Death, why has thine iron dart 
his. virtuous youth from his companions 
é torn ; giaee 
ung his sad home with black, each kin 
heart 
ith anguish wrun 
‘mourn ? 
dred” 
g, and bade a mother 
Art. XXKIV. Narrative Poems, 
i MR. D’lsraeli is well known to the 
public, as a pleasing and successful - 
Axn. Rey. Vor. II. 
577 
Camoens is, therefore, regarded as 
the writer who gave the last improve- 
ment to his native language. How far 
he actually improved it, it is not possi- 
ble that a foreigner can judge; but this 
is his great and main merit. His poe- 
tical character can neither be estimated 
by the present volume, nor by the Eng- 
lish Lusiad: the merits of the one must 
be assigned to Mickle, and the other to 
Lord Strangford. Whether this species 
of deception is to be-justified we will 
not say ; but, as far as regards our in- 
dividual gratification, being acquaint- 
ed with the Portugueze poet, we were 
well pleased to discover originals where 
we only expected translations. 
Arr. XXXIII. Original Poems on Miscellaneous Subjects. By the late Rev. Joun 
Epmonps, Jun. 4. M. late Fellow of Catherine Hall, Cambridge,.Rector of Skinand, 
in the Diocese of Lincoln, and Vicar of Alrewas, in the County of Staffard. 
during his Minority (from 14 to 18 Years of Age). 8vo. pp. 28. 
Written 
«* O say, thou demon, does not with’ring age 
Fill the infernal seats with wonted prey ? 
Why has thine hand, with undistinguish'’d 
rage, 
Before it blossom'd, torn the bud away ? 
«« Yet vain thy trophies ! impotent thy powe | 
To quell its vigour—from the earth shall rise, 
With renovated bloom, th’ etherial flower, 
And with its grateful fragrance fill the skies. 
«« Oh, blest inhabitant of highest heaven! 
(For highest heay’n the just shall ever gain) 
Regard the verse, by pious friendship given, 
Whose measures of thy mournful fate com- 
plain. 
“© Regard a mother’s grief, her sighs-attend ; 
Mark her wan cheeks, what bitter drops be- 
dew ; 
And eyés that wept so late the husband’s end, 
How soun for thee, the son, these streams 
renew ! ~ 
« Accept this tribute to thy much-loy'’d 
shade, © Ay same 
My breast no weak dissembled sorrows swell : 
If these can please thee, lo! these rites are 
jaid— My 
- Fareweil, my friend, for evermore farewell !” 
Two or three ofthe pieces have a 
good deal of hymour, and there is 
altogether an indication of so much 
poetic talent, that: we regret that Mr. 
Edmonds did not leave some specimens 
of his powers in maturer years. 
By J. D’Israrur. vo. pp- 55, 
writer. His Curiosities of Literature 
have been the amusement of every 
Pp 
