PREFACE.

To lovers of Robert Browning-and all who read him are such-it may seem impertinent to offer these little stories.

The unfortunate fact is, and herein lies their excuse, that very few, even thoughtful, persons, do read Browning. One rarely finds, among the many who condemn him as obscure, a single man or woman who is familiar with his simple poems, like 'Evelyn Hope,' 'Instans Tyrannus,' and 'Saul,' so full of lyrical inspiration; his pure poetic, conceptions, like 'Prospice' and 'Natural Magic;' or his deeply religious ones, like 'Rabbi Ben Ezra' and 'Death in the Desert.'

To those who have found each successive volume, as it issued from the press, to contain so many elements of spiritual growth, or to mark the milestones of their best experience, this would seem incredible were it not so

common.

No attempt has been made in these stories to criticise him, but, simply dropping all extraneous matter, to reproduce, as much in his own words as possible, the motive of some of his poems. Six stories have been

taken from the Dramas, which will always be the most popular of his longer poems, on account not only of nobleness of sentiment, but vigorous dramatic action. A few words of historical explanation have been occasionally prefixed, as in the 'Return of the Druses.' The other three stories are from the narrative poems; 'Sordello' being chosen, not only because it stands so much in need of interpretation, but because it is so well worth interpreting. 'Aristophanes' Apology' has been selected for both these reasons, and is rendered in connexion with that earlier adventure of Balaustion which is the subject of one of his most charming later poems. The remaining story is simply condensed from the 'Ring and the Book,' one of the most wonderful poems ever written, whether from its argumentative power, the depth of its logic, or its touching pathos.

Many of his finer and shorter ones could not endure even this slight handling. They are too complete as works of art, and also too subtle, to bear a single touch. "By the Fireside,' for instance, and 'Childe Roland to the Dark Tower came,' each a perfect chrysolite, and so vivid with the deepest facts of life that it seems profane even to lay a finger on them. The same may be said of some of his longer ones, like 'James Lee' and 'La Saisiaz,'-the one filled with subtle thought which comes like faint flashes of dawn, and the other a most mature and finished argument, on a high plane of thought, most

fitly placed in its Alpine setting. Indeed, all his poems are so full of close analysis as well as imaginative creation, that they more than repay the most thorough study; to secure which is the object of these stories, published now in the firm conviction, that the time will come, when the complete recognition of Browning will have ceased to be a prophecy.