ABSTRACT
Indeed, I often say what a superfluous set of people we are ... to write poetry when there is so much of it in print unread. Ay, and of better than the pick of us could execute, if our brains were beaten together. Have you ever read Webster? Why, my good sir! there are passages in 'Vittoria Corombona' almost worthy of the Angel Gabriel. Don't mind what Campbell says - his criticism upon this author is nearly as strong evidence against his own poetical genius as the 'Pleasures of Hope' is in favour of it. There are passages in that play every whit as good as - No! deuce take it, that would be too bad! - Well, Shakespeare and Milton excepted, there is poetry in Webster superior to that of any other English author. If you have not 'The White Devil' by heart, get it.
