BehappyinthyfairQueenasIinmine。'
　　AndTristramroundthegallerymadehishorseCaracole；thenbow'dhishomage，bluntlysaying，'Fairdamsels，eachtohimwhoworshipseachSoleQueenofBeautyandoflove，beholdThisdaymyQueenofBeautyisnothere。'
　　Andmostoftheseweremute，someanger'd，oneMurmuring，'Allcourtesyisdead，'andone，'ThegloryofourRoundTableisnomore。'
　　Thenfellthickrain，plumedrooptandmantleclung，Andpettishcriesawoke，andthewandayWentgloomingdowninwetandweariness:
　　ButunderherblackbrowsaswarthyoneLaugh'dshrilly，crying，'Praisethepatientsaints，OuronewhitedayofInnocencehathpast，Tho'somewhatdraggledattheskirt。Sobeit。
　　Thesnowdroponly，floweringthro'theyear，WouldmaketheworldasblankasWinter-tide。
　　Come——letusgladdentheirsadeyes，ourQueen'sAndLancelot's，atthisnight'ssolemnityWithallthekindliercoloursofthefield。'"
　　Arthur'slastvictoryoverarobberknightisingloriouslysqualid:-
　　"Heended:Arthurknewthevoice；thefaceWellnighwashelmet-hidden，andthenameWentwanderingsomewheredarklinginhismind。
　　AndArthurdeign'dnotuseofwordorsword，Butletthedrunkard，ashestretch'dfromhorseTostrikehim，overbalancinghisbulk，DownfromthecausewayheavilytotheswampFall，asthecrestofsomeslow-archingwave，Heardindeadnightalongthattable-shore，Dropsflat，andafterthegreatwatersbreakWhiteningforhalfaleague，andthinthemselves，Faroversandsmarbledwithmoonandcloud，Fromlessandlesstonothing；thushefellHead-heavy；thentheknights，whowatch'dhim，roar'dAndshoutedandleaptdownuponthefall'n；
　　Theretrampledouthisfacefrombeingknown，Andsankhisheadinmire，andslimedthemselves:
　　NorheardtheKingfortheirowncries，butsprangThro'opendoors，andswordingrightandleftMen，women，ontheirsoddenfaces，hurl'dThetablesoverandthewines，andslewTillalltheraftersrangwithwoman-yells，Andallthepavementstream'dwithmassacre:
　　Then，echoingyellwithyell，theyfiredthetower，Whichhalfthatautumnnight，liketheliveNorth，Red-pulsingupthro'AliothandAlcor，Madeallaboveit，andahundredmeresAboutit，asthewaterMoabsawComeroundbytheEast，andoutbeyondthemflush'dThelonglowdune，andlazy-plungingsea。"
　　GuinevereisoneofthegreatestoftheIdylls。MalorymakesLancelotmoresympathetic；hisfight，unarmed，inGuinevere'schamber，againstthefelonknights，isoneofhismostspiritedscenes。Tennysonomitsthis，andomitsalltheunpardonablebehaviourofArthurasnarratedinMalory。CriticshaveusuallycondemnedthelastpartingofGuinevereandArthur，becausetheKingdothpreachtoomuchtoanunhappywomanwhohasnoreply。ThepositionofArthurisnoteasilyredeemable:itisdifficulttoconceivethatanoblenaturecouldbe，orshouldbe，blindsolong。
　　HedoesrehabilitatehisQueeninherownself-respect，perhaps，byassuringherthathelovesherstill:-
　　"LetnomandreambutthatIlovetheestill。"
　　Hadhesaidthatonelineandnomore，wemighthavelovedhimbetter。IntheIdyllswehavenotMalory'slastmeetingofLancelotandGuinevere，oneofthescenesinwhichthewanderingcompositeromanceendsasnoblyastheIliad。
　　ThePassingofArthur，exceptforanewintroductorypassageofgreatbeautyandappropriateness，istheMorted'Arthur，firstpublishedin1842:-
　　"Soalldaylongthenoiseofbattleroll'dAmongthemountainsbythewintersea。"
　　Theyearhasrunitscourse，spring，summer，gloomyautumn，anddiesinthemistofArthur'slastwintrybattleinthewest-
　　"Andthenewsunrose，bringingthenewyear。"
　　Thesplendidandsombreprocessionhaspassed，leavingustomuseastohowfarthepoethasfulfilledhisownideal。Therecouldbenonewepic:hegaveachainofheroicIdylls。Anepictherecouldnotbe，fortheIliadandOdysseyhaveeachaunityoftheme，anarrativecompressedintoafewdaysintheformer，inthelatterintofortydaysoftime。ThetragedyofArthur'sreigncouldnotsobecondensed；andTennysonchosetheonlyfeasibleplan。Hehasleftawork，notabsolutelyperfect，indeed，butsuchasheconceived，aftermanytentativeessays，andsuchashedesiredtoachieve。HisfamemaynotrestchieflyontheIdylls，buttheyformoneofthefairestjewelsinthecrownthatshineswithunnumberedgems，eachwithitsownglory。
　　CHAPTERVIII——ENOCHARDEN。THEDRAMAS。
　　ThesuccessofthefirstvolumeoftheIdyllsrecompensedthepoetfortheslingsandarrowsthatgaveMaudahostilewelcome。HisnextpublicationwasthebeautifulTithonus，afitpendanttotheUlysses，andcomposedaboutthesamedate1833-35。"Aquarterofacenturyago，"Tennysondatesit，writingin1860totheDukeofArgyll。Hehadfounditwhen"ferretingamongmyoldbooks，"hesaid，insearchofsomethingforThackeray，whowasestablishingtheCornhillMagazine。Whatmustthewealthofthepoethavebeen，who，possessingTithonusinhisportfolio，didnottakethetroubletoinsertitinthevolumesof1842!NobodyknowshowmanypoemsofTennyson'sneverevensawpenandink，beingcomposedunwritten，andforgotten。AtthistimewefindhimrecommendingMrBrowning'sMenandWomentotheDuke，who，likemanyTennysonians，doesnotseemtohavebeenareadyconverttohisgreatcontemporary。TheDukeandDuchessurgedtheLaureatetoattemptthetopicoftheHolyGrail，buthewasnotinthemood。IndeedthevisionoftheGrailintheearlySirGalahadisdoubtlesshappierthantheallegoricalhandlingofathemesoobscure，remote，anddifficult，intheIdylls。HewrotehisBoadicea，apiecemagnificentinitself，butofdifficultpopularaccess，owingtothemetricalexperiment。
　　Intheautumnof1860herevisitedCornwallwithF。T。Palgrave，MrValPrinsep，andMrHolmanHunt。Theywalkedintherain，sawTintagelandtheScillyIsles，andwerefetedbyanenthusiasticcaptainofalittleriversteamer，whowasmoreinterestedin"MrTinmanandMrPancake"thantheCelticboatmanofArdtornish。ThewinterwaspassedatFarringford，andtheNorthernFarmerwaswrittenthere，aLincolnshirereminiscence，intheFebruaryof1861。InautumnthePyreneeswerevisitedbyTennysonincompanywithArthurCloughandMrDakynsofCliftonCollege。AtCauteretzinAugust，andamongmemoriesoftheoldtourwithArthurHallam，waswrittenAllalongtheValley。Theways，however，inAuvergnewere"foul，"andthediet"unhappy。"ThededicationoftheIdyllswaswrittenonthedeathofthePrinceConsortinDecember，andinJanuary1862theOdefortheopeningofanexhibition。Thepoetwasbusywithhis"Fisherman，"EnochArden。Thevolumewaspublishedin1864，andLordTennysonsaysithasbeen，nexttoInMemoriam，themostpopularofhisfather'sworks。Onewouldhaveexpectedtheonevolumecontainingthepoemsupto1842toholdthatplace。Thenewbook，however，mainlydealtwithEnglish，contemporary，anddomesticthemes——"thepoetryoftheaffections。"Anoldwoman，adistrictvisitorreported，regardedEnochArdenas"morebeautiful"thantheothertractswhichwerereadtoher。Itisindeedatenderandtouchingtale，basedonafolk-storywhichTennysonfoundcurrentinBrittanyaswellasinEngland。Noristheunseenandunknownlandscapeofthetropicislelesshappilycreatedbythepoet'simaginationthanthefamiliarEnglishcliffsandhazelcopses:-
　　"Themountainwoodedtothepeak，thelawnsAndwindinggladeshighuplikewaystoHeaven，Theslendercoco'sdroopingcrownofplumes，Thelightningflashofinsectandofbird，ThelustreofthelongconvolvulusesThatcoil'daroundthestatelystems，andranEv'ntothelimitoftheland，theglowsAndgloriesofthebroadbeltoftheworld，Allthesehesaw；butwhathefainhadseenHecouldnotsee，thekindlyhumanface，Noreverhearakindlyvoice，butheardThemyriadshriekofwheelingocean-fowl，Theleague-longrollerthunderingonthereef，Themovingwhisperofhugetreesthatbranch'dAndblossom'dinthezenith，orthesweepOfsomeprecipitousrivulettothewave，Asdowntheshoreheranged，oralldaylongSatoftenintheseaward-gazinggorge，Ashipwreck'dsailor，waitingforasail:
　　Nosailfromdaytoday，buteverydayThesunrisebrokenintoscarletshaftsAmongthepalmsandfernsandprecipices；
　　Theblazeuponthewaterstotheeast；
　　Theblazeuponhisislandoverhead；
　　Theblazeuponthewaterstothewest；
　　ThenthegreatstarsthatglobedthemselvesinHeaven，Thehollower-bellowingocean，andagainThescarletshaftsofsunrise——butnosail。"
　　Aylmer'sFieldsomewhatrecallstheburdenofMaud，thecurseofpurse-proudwealth，butistoogloomytobeafairspecimenofTennyson'sart。InSeaDreamsfirstpublishedin1860theawfulvisionofcrumblingfaithsissomewhatoutofharmonywithitsenvironment:-
　　"ButroundtheNorth，alight，Abelt，itseem'd，ofluminousvapour，lay，AndeverinitalowmusicalnoteSwell'dupanddied；and，asitswell'd，aridgeOfbreakerissuedfromthebelt，andstillGrewwiththegrowingnote，andwhenthenoteHadreach'dathunderousfulness，onthosecliffsBroke，mixtwithawfullightthesameasthatLivingwithinthebeltwherebyshesawThatallthoselinesofcliffswerecliffsnomore，Buthugecathedralfrontsofeveryage，Grave，florid，stern，asfaraseyecouldsee，Oneafterone:andthenthegreatridgedrew，Lesseningtothelesseningmusic，back，Andpastintothebeltandswell'dagainSlowlytomusic:everwhenitbrokeThestatues，kingorsaintorfounderfell；
　　ThenfromthegapsandchasmsofruinleftCamemenandwomenindarkclustersround，Somecrying，'Setthemup!theyshallnotfall!'
　　Andothers，'Letthemlie，fortheyhavefall'n。'
　　Andstilltheystroveandwrangled:andshegrievedInherstrangedream，sheknewnotwhy，tofindTheirwildestwailingsneveroutoftuneWiththatsweetnote；andeverastheirshrieksRanhighestupthegamut，thatgreatwaveReturning，whilenonemark'dit，onthecrowdBroke，mixtwithawfullight，andshow'dtheireyesGlaring，andpassionatelooks，andsweptawayThemenoffleshandblood，andmenofstone，Tothewastedeepstogether。
　　'ThenIfixtMywistfuleyesontwofairimages，Bothcrown'dwithstarsandhighamongthestars，-
　　TheVirginMotherstandingwithherchildHighupononeofthosedarkminster-fronts-
　　Tillshebegantototter，andthechildClungtothemother，andsentoutacryWhichmixtwithlittleMargaret's，andIwoke，Andmydreamawedme:——well——butwhataredreams？"
　　ThepassageisratherfittedforadespairingmoodofArthur，intheIdylls，thanforthewifeofthecityclerkruinedbyapiousrogue。
　　TheLucretius，laterpublished，isbeyondpraiseasamasterlystudyofthegreatRomansceptic，whoseheartisateternaloddswithhisEpicureancreed。Nascentmadness，orfeverofthebraindruggedbytheblunderinglovephiltre，isnotmorecunninglytreatedinthemadscenesofMaud。NoprosecommentaryontheDeRerumNatura，howeverlongandlearned，conveyssoclearlyasthisconcisestudyinversethesenseofmagnificentmingledruininthemindandpoemoftheRoman。
　　The"ExperimentsinQuantity"were，perhaps，suggestedbyMrMatthewArnold'sLecturesontheTranslatingofHomer。MrArnoldbelievedinatranslationintoEnglishhexameters。Hisnegativecriticismofothertranslatorsandtranslationswasamusingandinstructive:hehadaneasygametoplaywiththeYankee-doodlemetreofF。W。
　　Newman，theponderousblankverseofCowper，thetrippingandclippingcoupletsofPope，theElizabethanfantasiesofChapman。ButMrArnold'shexameterswereneithermusicalnorrapid:theyonlyexhibitedanewformoffailure。AsthePrinceofAbyssiniasaidtohistutor，"Enough；youhaveconvincedmethatnomancanbeapoet，"
　　soMrArnoldwentsomewaytoprovethatnomancantranslateHomer。
　　TennysonhadthelowestopinionofhexametersasanEnglishmetreforseriouspurposes。
　　"Theselamehexametersthestrong-wing'dmusicofHomer!"
　　LordTennysonsays，"GermanhexametershedislikedevenmorethanEnglish。"Indeedthereisnotmuchroomforpreference。Tennyson'sAlcaicsMiltonwereintendedtofollowtheGreekratherthantheHoratianmodel，andresulted，atallevents，inapoemworthyofthe"mighty-mouth'dinventorofharmonies。"ThespecimenoftheIliadinblankverse，beautifulasitis，doesnot，somehow，reproducethemusicofHomer。ItisentirelyTennysonian，asin"Roll'dtherichvapourfarintotheheaven。"
　　Thereader，inthatoneline，recognisesthevoiceandtrickoftheEnglishpoet，andisfarawayfromtheChian:-
　　"AswheninheaventhestarsaboutthemoonLookbeautiful，whenallthewindsarelaid，Andeveryheightcomesout，andjuttingpeakAndvalley，andtheimmeasurableheavensBreakopentotheirhighest，andallthestarsShine，andtheShepherdgladdensinhisheart:
　　SomanyafirebetweentheshipsandstreamOfXanthusblazedbeforethetowersofTroy，Athousandontheplain；andclosebyeachSatfiftyintheblazeofburningfire；
　　Andeatinghoarygrainandpulsethesteeds，Fixtbytheircars，waitedthegoldendawn。"
　　Thisisexcellent，ispoetry，escapestheconceitsofPopewhonever"wrotewithhiseyeontheobject"，butispureTennyson。Wehavenotyet，probablywenevershallhave，anadequaterenderingoftheIliadintoverse，andprosetranslationsdonotpretendtobeadequate。WhenparentsanddominieshaveabolishedthestudyofGreek，something，itseems，willhavebeenlosttotheworld，——
　　somethingwhichevenTennysoncouldnotrestoreinEnglish。Hethoughtblankversetheproperequivalent；butitisnoequivalent
　　Oneevenprefershisownprose:-
　　NordidParislingerinhisloftyhalls，butwhenhehadgirtonhisgorgeousarmour，allofvariedbronze，thenherushedthro'thecity，gloryinginhisairyfeet。Andaswhenastall-kepthorse，thatisbarley-fedatthemanger，breakethhistether，anddasheththro'theplain，spurningit，beingwonttobathehimselfinthefair-runningriver，rioting，andrearethhishead，andhismanefliethbackoneithershoulder，andhegloriethinhisbeauty，andhiskneesbearhimatthegalloptothehauntsandmeadowsofthemares；soranthesonofPriam，Paris，fromtheheightofPergamus，allinarms，glitteringlikethesun，laughingforlight-heartedness，andhisswiftfeetbarehim。
　　InFebruary1865TennysonlostthemotherwhoseportraithedrewinIsabel，——"athingenskiedandsainted。"
　　Intheautumnof1865theTennysonswentonaContinentaltour，andvisitedWaterloo，Weimar，andDresden；inSeptembertheyentertainedEmmaI。，QueenoftheSandwichIslands。Themonthspassedquietlyathomeorintown。ThepoethadwrittenhisLucretius，and，topleaseSirGeorgeGrove，wroteTheSongoftheWrens，formusic。TennysonhadnotthatpositiveaversiontomusicwhichmarkedDrJohnson，VictorHugo，TheophileGautier，andsomeotherpoets。Nay，helikedBeethoven，whichplaceshimhigherinthemusicalscalethanScott，whodidnotriseaboveaBorderliltoraJacobiteditty。TheWrensongs，entitledTheWindow，wereprivatelyprintedbySirIvorGuestin1867，weresettomusicbySirArthurSullivan，andpublishedbyStrahaninDecember1870。"Apuppet，"Tennysoncalledthesong-book，"whoseonlymeritis，perhaps，thatitcandancetoMrSullivan'sinstrument。Iamsorrythatmypuppetshouldhavetodanceatallinthedarkshadowofthesedays"thesiegeofParis，"butthemusicisnowcompleted，andIamboundbymypromise。"Theversesaredescribedas"partlyintheoldstyle，"butthetrueoldstyleoftheElizabethanandcavalierdaysislost。
　　Inthesummerof1867theTennysonsmovedtoafarmhousenearHaslemere，atthattimenotacentreofliteraryLondoners。"Sandysoilandheather-scentedair"alluredthem，andtheresultwasthepurchaseofland，andthebuildingofAldworth，MrKnowlesbeingthearchitect。InautumnTennysonvisitedLymeRegis，and，likeallothertravellersthither，madeapilgrimagetotheCobb，sacredtoLouisaMusgrove。ThepoetnowbeganthestudyofHebrew，havingamindtotranslatetheBookofJob，avisionunfulfilled。In1868hethoughtofpublishinghisboyishpiece，TheLover'sTale，butdelayed。Ananonymouslyeditedpiracyofthisandotherpoemswasperpetratedin1875，limited，atleastnominally，tofiftycopies。
　　InJulyLongfellowvisitedTennyson。"TheLongfellowsandhetalkedmuchofspiritualism，forhewasgreatlyinterestedinthatsubject，buthesuspendedhisjudgment，andthoughtthat，ifinsuchmanifestationsthereisanything，'Pucks，notthespiritsofdeadmen，revealthemselves。'"ThiswasSouthey'ssuggestion，asregardsthecelebrateddisturbancesinthehouseoftheWesleys。"Witmighthavemuchtosay，wisdom，little，"saidSamWesley。ProbablythetalkaboutDavidDunglasHome，the"medium"theninvogue，ledtothediscussionof"spiritualism。"WedonothearthatTennysoneverhadthecuriositytoseeHome，whomMrBrowningsofirmlydetested。
　　InSeptemberTheHolyGrailwasbegun:itwasfinished"inaboutaweek。Itcamelikeabreathofinspiration。"Thesubjecthadformanyyearsbeenturnedaboutinthepoet'smind，which，ofcourse，wasbusyintheseyearsofapparentinactivity。AtthistimeAugust1868Tennysonlefthisoldpublishers，theMoxons，forMrStrahan，whoenduredtill1872。ThenhewassucceededbyMessrsH。S。King&
　　Co。，whogaveplace1879toMessrsKeganPaul&Co。，whilein1884
　　MessrsMacmillanbecame，andcontinuetobe，thepublishers。Afewpieces，exceptLucretiusMacmillan'sMagazine，May1868
　　unimportant，appearedinserials。
　　Veryearlyin1869TheComingofArthurwascomposed，whileTennysonwasreadingBrowning'sTheRingandtheBook。Heandhisgreatcontemporarywereontermsofaffectionatefriendship，thoughTennyson，perhaps，appreciatedlessofBrowningthanBrowningofTennyson。Meanwhile"OldFitz"keptupafireofunsympatheticgrowlsatBrowningandallhisworks。"Ihavebeentryinginvaintoreadit"TheRingandtheBook，"andyettheAthenaeumtellsmeitiswonderfullyfine。"FitzGerald'splyhadbeentakenlongago；hewantedverbalmusicinpoetrynoexorbitantdesire，while，inBrowning，carminadesunt。Perhaps，too，apersonalfeeling，asifBrowningwasTennyson'srival，affectedthejudgmentoftheauthorofOmarKhayyam。Wemayalmostcallhim"theauthor。"
　　TheHolyGrail，withthesmallerpoems，suchasLucretius，waspublishedattheendof1869。FitzGeraldappearstohavepreferredTheNorthernFarmer，"thesubstantialrough-spunnatureIknew，"toallthevisionaryknightsintheairyQuest。Tocompare"——"
　　obviouslyBrowningwithTennyson，was"tocompareanoldJew'scuriosityshopwiththePhidianMarbles。"Tennyson'spoems"beingcleartothebottomaswellasbeautiful，donotseemtocockneyeyessodeepasmuddywaters。"
　　InNovember1870TheLastTournamentwasbegun；itwasfinishedinMay1871。ConceivablythevulgarscandalsofthelastdaysoftheFrenchImperialregimemayhaveinfluencedTennyson'spictureofthecorruptionofArthur'sCourt；buttheEmpiredidnotbegin，liketheRoundTable，withaspirationsaftertheIdeal。IntheautumnoftheyearTennysonentertained，andwasentertainedby，MrHuxley。Intheirideasaboutultimatethingstwomencouldnotvarymorewidely，buteachdelightedintheother'ssociety。Inthespringof1872
　　TennysonvisitedParisandtheruinsoftheLouvre。HereadVictorHugo，andAlfreddeMusset，whosecomediesheadmired。Thelittlethatwehearofhisopinionoftheothergreatpoetrunstothiseffect，"VictorHugoisanunequalgenius，sometimessublime；heremindsonethatthereisbutonestepbetweenthesublimeandtheridiculous，"buttheexamplebywhichTennysonillustratedthiswasderivedfromoneofthepoet'snovels。Inthesewemeetnotonlythesublimeandtheridiculous，butpassageswhichleaveusinsomeperplexityastotheirtruecategory。OnewouldhaveexpectedHugo'slyricstobeTennyson'sfavourites，butonlyGastibelzaismentionedinthatcharacter。AtthistimeTennysonwasvexedby"ArtwithpoisonoushoneystolenfromFrance，"
　　aphrasewhichcannotapplytoHugo。MeanwhileGarethwasbeingwritten，andtheknight'ssongforTheComingofArthur。GarethandLynette，withminorpieces，appearedin1872。BalinandBalanwascomposedlater，toleaduptoVivien，towhich，perhaps，BalinandBalanwasintroductionsufficienthaditbeentheearlierwritten。
　　ButtheIdyllshavealreadybeendiscussedasarrangedinsequence。
　　ThecompletionoftheIdylls，withthepatrioticepilogue，wasfollowedbytheofferofabaronetcy。Tennysonpreferredthatheandhiswife"shouldremainplainMrandMrs，"though"IhopethatIhavetoomuchoftheold-worldloyaltynottowearmylady'sfavoursagainstallcomers，shouldyouthinkthatitwouldbemoreagreeabletoherMajestythatIshoulddoso。"
　　TheIdyllsended，Tennysonin1874begantocontemplateadrama，choosingthetopic，perhapsneitherpopularnorinanAristoteliansensetragic，ofMaryTudor。Thisplaywaspublished，andputonthestagebySirHenryIrvingin1875。Haroldfollowedin1876，TheCupin1881attheLyceum，ThePromiseofMayattheGlobein1882，Becketin1884，withTheForestersin1892。ItseemsbesttoconsiderallthedramaticperiodofTennyson'swork，aperiodreachedsostrangelylateinhiscareer，inthesequenceofthePlays。ThetaskisonefromwhichIshrink，asconsciousofentireignoranceofthestageandoflackofenthusiasmforthedrama。Greatdramaticauthorshave，almostinvariably，hadlongpracticalknowledgeofthescenesandofwhatisbehindthem。Shakespeareandhiscontemporaries，Moliereandhiscontemporaries，hadlivedtheirlivesontheboardsandinthefoyer，actorsthemselves，orindailytouchwithactorsandactresses。Inthepresentdaysuccessfulplaywrightsappeartolivemuchintheworldoftheplayers。Theyhavepracticalknowledgeoftheconventionsandconditionswhichthestageimposes。
　　NeitherBrowningnorMrSwinburnetotakegreatnameshashad，itseems，muchofthispracticalanddailyexperience；theirdramashavebeenactedbutrarely，ifatall，andmanyexamplesprovethatneitherpoeticalgeniusnorthegeniusforprosefictioncanenablementoproduceplayswhichholdtheirownontheboards。Thismaybethefaultofpublictaste，orpartlyofpublictaste，partlyofdefectinpracticalknowledgeonthesideoftheauthors。Ofthestage，bywayofpractice，Tennysonhadknownnexttonothing，yethisdramaswerewrittentobeacted，andactedsomeofthemwere。
　　"Forhimself，hewasaware，"sayshisbiographer，"thathewantedintimateknowledgeofthemechanicaldetailsnecessaryforthemodernstage，althoughinearlyandmiddlelifehehadbeenaconstantplaygoer，andwouldkeenlyfollowtheactionofaplay，criticisingthecharacterisation，incidents，sceniceffects，situations，language，anddramaticpoints。"Hewasquitepreparedtobe"edited"
　　foractingpurposesbytheplayers。MissMaryAndersonsaysthat"hewasreadytosacrificeevenhisMOSTbeautifullinesforthesakeofarealdramaticeffect。"
　　Thisprovedunusualcommon-senseinapoet。Moderntimesandmannersarenotoriouslyunfavourabletotheseriousdrama。IntheageoftheGreektragedians，asinthedaysof"ElizaandourJames，"readingwasnotverycommon，andlifewasmuchmorepassedinpublicthanamongourselves，whenpeoplegototheplayforlightrecreation，ortobeshocked。SovariouswasthegeniusofTennyson，thathadhedevotedhimselfearlytothestage，andhadhebeenbackedbyamanagerwiththeenterpriseandintelligenceofSirHenryIrving，itisimpossibletosayhowmuchhemighthavedonetorestoretheseriousdrama。Butwecannotregretthathewasoccupiedinhisprimewithotherthings，norcanweexpecttofindhisnoblestandmostenduringworkinthedramaticexperimentsofhislatestyears。
　　Itisnotablethat，inhisopinion，"theconditionsofthedramaticartaremuchmorecomplexthantheywere。"Forexample，wehave"thestarsystem，"whichtendstoallotwhatis，orwas，technicallystyled"thefat，"tooneortwopopularplayers。Now，apoetlikeTennysonwillinevitablydistributelargequantitiesofwhatismostexcellenttomanycharacters，andtheconsequentdifficultiesmaybeappreciatedbystudentsofourfallennature。Thepoetaddedthattobeafirst-ratehistoricalplaywrightmeansmuchmoreworkthanformerly，seeingthat"exacthistory"hastakenthepartofthe"chancechronicle。"
　　Thisisamisfortune。ThedramasoftheAtticstage，withoneortwoexceptions，arebasedonmythandlegend，notonhistory，andeveninthePersae，groundedoncontemporaryevents，AEschylusintroducedtheghostofDarius，notvouchedforby"exacthistory。"LetusconceiveShakespearewritingMacbethinanageof"exacthistory。"Hardlyanyoftheplaywouldbeleft。FleanceandBanquomustgo。Duncanbecomesayoungman，andfarfrom"gracious。"Macbethappearsasthedefenderofthelegitimistprince，Lulach，againstDuncan，ausurper。
　　LadyMacbethisapatterntohersex，andherlordisaclementandsagaciousruler。Thewitchesareruledoutofthepiece。
　　DifficultiesariseabouttheEnglishaidtoMalcolm。History，infact，declinestobedramatic。Libertiesmustbetaken。InhisplaysoftheMaryStuartcycle，MrSwinburnetelescopestheaffairofDarnleyintothatofChastelard，whichwasmuchearlier。HemakesMaryBeatoninlovewithChastelardakindofavengingfate，whowillneverleavetheQueentillherheadfallsatFotheringay；
　　though，infact，afteraflirtationwithRandolph，MaryBeatonmarriedOgilvyofBoynereallyinlovewithLadyBothwell，andnotoneofthefourMarieswasatFotheringay。Anartistoughttobeallowedtofollowlegend，ofitsessencedramatic，ortomanipulatehistoryashepleases。Ourmodernscrupulosityispedantic。ButTennysonreadalonglistofbooksforhisQueenMary，thoughitdoesnotappearthathemadeoriginalresearchesinMSS。Theselaboursoccupied1874and1875。YetitwouldbefoolishtocriticisehisQueenMaryasifwewerecriticising"exacthistory。""Theplay'sthething。"
　　Thepoetthoughtthat"BloodyMary""hadbeenharshlyjudgedbytheverdictofpopulartradition。"Sohavemostcharacterstowhompopulardislikeaffixesthepopularepithet——"BloodyClaverse，"
　　"BloodyMackenzie，""BloodyBalfour。"MaryhadthecourageoftheTudors。She"edifiedallaroundherbyhercheerfulness，herpiety，andherresignationtothewillofProvidence，"inherlastdaysLingard。Camdencallsher"aqueenneverpraisedenoughforthepurityofhermorals，hercharitytothepoor"shepractisedasadistrictvisitor，"andherliberalitytothenoblesandtheclergy。"
　　Shewas"pious，merciful，pure，andevertobepraised，ifweoverlookhererroneousopinionsinreligion，"saysGodwin。Shehadbeengrievouslywrongedfromheryouthupwards。InElizabethshehadasisterandarival，aconstantintrigueragainsther，andakinswomanfarfromamiable。Despite"thekindnessandattentionofPhilip"Lingard，affairsofStatedemandedhisabsencefromEngland。Thedisappointmentastoherexpectedchildwascruel。Sheknewthatshehadbecomeunpopular，andshecouldnotlookforthesuccessofherChurch，towhichshewassincerelyattached。M。
　　AugusteFilonthoughtthatQueenMarymightsecuredramaticrankforTennyson，"ifagreatactressarosewhoconceivedapassionforthepartofMary。"Butthatwasnottobeexpected。Marywasmiddle-
　　aged，plain，andinaspectnowterrible，nowrueful。Nogreatactresswillthrowherselfwithpassionintosuchanungratefulpart。
　　"Throughoutallhistory，"Tennysonsaid，"therewasnothingmoremournfulthanthefinaltragedyofthiswoman。"MOURNFULitis，butnottragic。Thereisnothinggrandattheclose，aswhenMaryStuartconquersdeathandevilfame，redeemingherselfbyhercourageandhercalm，andextendingoverunborngenerationsthatwitcherywhichherenemiesdreadedmorethananarmywithbanners。
　　Moreover，populartraditioncanneverforgivethefiresofSmithfield。ItwasMaryTudor'smisfortunethatshehadthepowertoexecute，onagreatscale，thatfacultyofpersecutiontothedeathforwhichherPresbyterianandotherProtestantopponentspinedinvain。MrFroudesaysofher，"ForthefirstandlasttimethetrueUltramontanespiritwasdominantinEngland，thegenuineconvictionthat，astheorthodoxprophetsandsovereignsofIsraelslewtheworshippersofBaal，sowereCatholicrulerscalledupon，astheirfirstduty，toextirpatehereticsastheenemiesofGodandman。"
　　ThatwaspreciselythespiritofKnoxandotherPresbyteriandenouncersofdeathagainst"Idolaters"Catholics。ButtheScottishpreacherswerealwaysthwarted:Maryandheradvisershadtheirway，as，earlier，Latimerhadpreachedagainstsufferersatthestake。Tothestake，whichhefearedsogreatly，Cranmerhadsentpersonsnotofhisownfleetingshadeoftheologicalopinion。ThesemenhadburnedAnabaptists，butallthatislightlyforgottenbyProtestantopinion。UnderMarywhoevermayhavebeenprimarilyresponsibleCranmerandLatimerweretreatedastheyhadtreatedothers。Moreover，sometwohundredpoormenandwomenhaddaredthefierydeath。Thepersecutionwasonascaleneverforgivenorforgotten，sinceMarybegancerdonibusessetimenda。Marywasnotessentiallyinclement。DespiteRenard，theagentoftheEmperor，shesparedthatlordoffluffandfeather，Courtenay，andshesparedElizabeth。LadyJaneshecouldnotsave，thegirlwhowasaqueenbygraceofGodandofherownroyalnature。ButMarywillneverbepardonedbyEngland。"Fewmenorwomenhavelivedlesscapableofdoingknowinglyawrongthing，"saysMrFroude，agreatadmirerofTennyson'splay。Yet，takingMrFroude'sownview，Mary'sabjectandsuperannuatedpassionforPhilip；herecstasiesduringhersupposedpregnancy；"theforlornhourswhenshewouldsitonthegroundwithherkneesdrawntoherface，"withallher"symptomsofhystericalderangement，leavelittleroom，aswethinkofher，forotherfeelingsthanpity。"Unfortunately，feelingsofpityforapersonsodistraught，sosourlytreatedbyfortune，donotsufficefortragedy。
　　WhenwecontemplateAntigoneorOEdipus，itisnotwithasentimentofpitystrugglingagainstabhorrence。
　　Forthesereasonstheplaydoesnotseemtohaveagooddramaticsubject。TheunityisgivenbyMaryherselfandherfortunes，andthesearescarcelydramatic。HistorypreventstheintroductionofPhiliptillthesecondsceneofthethirdact。Hisentranceismanque；hemerelyaccompaniesCardinalPole，whotakescommandofthescene，andPhilipdoesnotgetinawordtillafteralongconversationbetweentheQueenandtheCardinal。PreviouslyPhiliphadonlycrossedthestageinaprocession，yetwhenhedoesappearheisbereftofprominence。Theinterestasregardshimisindicated，inActI。scenev。，byMary'skissinghisminiature。Herblightedloveforhimisonemainmotiveofthetragedy，buthisownpartappearstoosubordinateintheplayaspublished。Theinterestisscatteredamongthevastcrowdofcharacters；andMrR。H。Huttonremarkedatthetimethathe"remainssomethingofacold，cruel，andsensualshadow。"WearemoreinterestedinWyatt，Cranmer，Gardiner，andothers；oratleasttheirpartsaremoreinteresting。Yetinnocasedoestheinterestofanycharacter，exceptofMaryandElizabeth，remaincontinuousthroughouttheplay。Tennysonhimselfthoughtthat"therealdifficultyofthedramaistogivesufficientrelieftoitsintensesadness……NothinglessthantheholycalmofthemeekandpenitentCranmercanbeadequateartisticrelief。"
　　Butnotmuchreliefcanbedrawnfromamanabouttobeburnedalive，andhistorydoesnottemptustokeensympathywiththerecantingarchbishop，atleastifweagreewithMacaulayratherthanwithFroude。
　　Iventuretothinkthathistoricaltradition，asusual，offeredabettermotivethanexacthistory。Followingtradition，weseeinMaryacloudofhatefulgloom，fromwhichEnglandescapesintothegloriousdawnof"theGospellight，"andofElizabeth，whomightbemadeatriumphantlysympatheticcharacter。Thatisthenaturalandpopularcoursewhichthedramamighttake。ButTennyson'shistoryisalmostcriticalandscientific。PointsofdifficultanddebatedevidenceastoElizabeth'spartinWyatt'srebellionarediscussed。
　　Thereisnocontestofdayanddarkness，ofTruthandError。ThecharactersareinthatperplexedconditionaboutcreedswhichwastheiractualstateafterthepoliticalandsocialandreligiouschaosproducedbyHenryVIII。GardinerisaCatholic，butnotanUltramontane；LordWilliamHowardisaCatholic，butnotafanatic；
　　wefindatruculentAnabaptist，orSocialist，andacitizenwhoseprideishismoderation。ThenativeuncriticaltendencyofthedramaistothrowuphatsandhallooforElizabethandanopenBible。Inplaceofthis，Cecildeliversawell-consideredanalysisofthecharacterofElizabeth"Eliz。GodguidemelestIlosetheway。
　　[ExitElizabeth。
　　Cecil。Manypointsweather'd，manyperilousones，Atlastaharbouropens；butthereinSunkrocks——theyneedfinesteering——muchitisTobenormad，norbigot——haveamind-
　　NorletPriests'talk，ordreamofworldstobe，Miscolourthingsabouther——suddentouchesForhim，orhim——sunkrocks；nopassionatefaith-
　　But——ifletbe——balanceandcompromise；
　　Brave，wary，sanetotheheartofher——aTudorSchool'dbytheshadowofdeath——aBoleyn，too，GlancingacrosstheTudor——notsowell。"
　　Thisisexcellentashistoricalcriticism，inthefavourablesense；
　　butthedrama，byitsnature，demandssomethingnotcriticalbuttriumphantandone-sided。ThecharacterofElizabethisoneofthebestintheplay，ashersoliloquyActIII。scenev。isoneofthefinestofthespeeches。Weseehercourage，hercoquetry，herdissimulation，herarrogance。ButwhilethisisthetrueElizabeth，itisnottheidealisedElizabethwhomEnglishloyaltycreated，livedfor，anddiedfor。MrFroudewrote，"Youhavegivenusthegreatestofallyourworks，"anopinionwhichtheworldcanneveraccept。
　　"YouhavereclaimedonemoresectionofEnglishHistoryfromthewilderness，andgivenitaforminwhichitwillbefixedforever。
　　NoonesinceShakespearehasdonethat。"ButMrFroudehaddoneit，andTennyson'sreadingof"thesection"ismainlythatofMrFroude。
　　MrGladstonefoundthatCranmerandGardiner"arestillinaconsiderabledegreemysteriestome。"AmysteryCranmermustremain。
　　Perhapsthe"crowds"and"Voices"arenottheleastexcellentofthecharacters，Tennyson'shumourfindinganopportunityinthem，andinJoanandTib。HisidylliccharmspeaksinthewordsofLadyClarencetothefeveredQueen；andthereisdramaticgeniusinherreply:-
　　"Mary。Whatisthestrangethinghappiness？Sitdownhere:
　　Tellmethinehappiesthour。
　　LadyClarence。Iwill，ifthatMaymakeyourGraceforgetyourselfalittle。
　　ThererunsashallowbrookacrossourfieldFortwentymiles，wheretheblackcrowfliesfive，AnddothsoboundandbabbleallthewayAsifitselfwerehappy。ItwasMay-time，AndIwaswalkingwiththemanIloved。
　　Ilovedhim，butIthoughtIwasnotloved。
　　Andbothweresilent，lettingthewildbrookSpeakforus——tillhestoop'dandgather'doneFromoutabedofthickforget-me-nots，Look'dhardandsweetatme，andgaveitme。
　　Itookit，tho'IdidnotknowItookit，Andputitinmybosom，andallatonceIfelthisarmsaboutme，andhislips-
　　Mary。OGod!Ihavebeentooslack，tooslack；
　　ThereareHotGospellersevenamongourguards-
　　Nobleswedarednottouch。WehavebutburntThehereticpriest，workmen，andwomenandchildren。
　　Wet，famine，ague，fever，storm，wreck，wrath，-
　　Wehavesoplay'dthecoward；butbyGod'sgrace，We'llfollowPhilip'sleading，andsetupTheHolyOfficehere——garnerthewheat，Andburnthetareswithunquenchablefire!"
　　Theconclusion，intheactingedition，printedintheBiography，appearstobeanimprovementonthatinthetextasoriginallypublished。Unhappyasthedramaessentiallyis，thewelcomewhichMrBrowninggavebothtothepublishedworkandtotheactedplay——"acompletesuccess":"conception，execution，thewholeandtheparts，Iseenowheretheshadowofafault"——offers"relief"inactualhumannature。"Heisthegreatest-brainedpoetinEngland，"Tennysonsaid，onalateroccasion。"Violetsfade，hehasgivenmeacrownofgold。"
　　BeforewritingHarold1876thepoet"studiedmanyrecentplays，"
　　andre-readAEschylusandSophocles。ForhistoryhewenttotheBayeuxtapestry，theRomandeRou，LordLytton，andFreeman。