ABSTRACT
The conception and arrangement of Mr. Morris's last poem are singularly refined and perfect; and it is written throughout with an intensity and seriousness which manyreaders will be inclined to contrast favourably with the halfqueruloushalfindolent insotlciancewhich runs through much of the Earthly Paradise, and finds a definite expression in the Apology and L'Envoi. The poem begins with a conversation between Giles andJoan, who are two married peasants,in a crowd at the pageant of an emperor's marriage. They speak in octosyllabic couplets, and the imagery of their speeches is homely, and Joan mistakes the marshal's sergeant for a knight: otherwise it may be doubted whether any peasants out of Arcadia ever expressed themselves with such elegant simplicity and propriety. Then after a short song, which, like all in the poem, begins with the words, 'Love is Enough,' the emperor and empress appear and exchange lofty courtesies about their love in heroic triplets, each of which is followed by a burden. Then we have the mayor in alliterative lines begging leaveto present a play. He feelscalled to apologize for the subject, which seems to depreciate rank and prosperity; as equally ofcourse he regards the rank ofthe emperor and empress with loyal complacency; equally ofcourse they give a gracious dispensation for the play to proceed.
