ABSTRACT
We are disappointed in this poem, and have no inclination to dwell at length upon the causes of what we must consider a descent from the high promise of Paracelsus. The faults of that production were obvious —rugged and abrupt lines —strange turns of expression-want of fullness and completeness. Its merits were equally striking-intense enthusiasm-rich imagery-profound feelingstrong delineation. In the poem of Sordello, all the faults recur in exaggerated shapes, without being relieved or compensated for by an equal amount of excellence in any single point of view.
