10 POEMS OF GEORGE ELIOT.
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he versification of “The Spanish Gypsy” often breaks outinto the very highest excellence; but it too often wants spon-taneity and simplicity. As the same observation applies to the lyrics, one has littlehesitation in coming to the conclusion that the primal pecu-liarity which distinguishes the singer from the sayer is eitherlacking in George Eliot or that its function has suffered fromdisuse. I still hesitate to say suffered irreparably, becauseI still think the orbit of a genius like George Eliot’s ineal-culable. With such a noble ambition, and such immenseresources, one may do almost anything. Thus, though Iconfess I now think it improbable that George Elot will everexhibit in a poem the true simplicity of the singer, and compelher readers to admit that her music is better than her speech,I hesitate, or well-nigh hesitate, in saying even so much asthat. It is very pathetic that a noble ambition should comeso near its mark and yet fail. Only what are we todo? Thetruth must be spoken. Against the presumption raised by the bulk of the writingmust, in fairness, be set the evidence of particular passages,in which the author attains such high excellence that if onehad seen those passages alone, there would have been nohesitation or doubt on the score of melody. . (Lam... . a ZimealasZARCA.Of a bloodUnmixed as virgin wine-juice.FEDALMA.Of a race
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