Notices of Mr. Morris's Works.—Continued.
THE EARTHLY PARADISE.
Of Part III.—'A volume which, in its treatment of human motives and feelings, displays, we think, higher qualities than the writer has yet exhibited,and which in its painting off external scenes has that admirable fusion of the real and ideal which we have praised heretofore.'
Pall Mall Gazette.
'The book must be read by any one who wishes to know what it is like; and few will read it without recognising its author for a poet who has struck a new vein, and who preferring his art above popularity, has achieved a work which will yet be popular wherever true poetry is understood.'
Of Part III.—'In the noble story of "Gudrun" this dramatic power is well sustained throughout, and in versifying this Saga, Mr. Morris has added a genuine and pathetic vitality to the characters of the ill-starred heroine of Olaf and Oswit, Kiartan and Bodli, lngibiorg and Refna. This poem, taken altogether, the most ambitious that Mr. Morris has yet produced, is well worth a careful analysis, which, however, we have no space to give it.'
Crown 8vo, cloth, price 8s.
THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE
STRONG.
Translated from the Icelandic of the Grettis Saga (one of
the most remarkable prose works of ancient
Icelandic Literature),
By W. MORRIS and E. MAGNUSSON.
The Guardian.
'We have only lately been made aware of the treasures of poetry which lie hid in Icelandic literature. . . . . These are Homeric in their force and truth and simplicity: and they have the advantage to English readers of setting forth a form of life which, in spite of its rudeness and fierceness, is much more intelligible and akin to Our own notions than that of the warriors on the plains of Troy. The "Story of Grettir the Strong" is an excellent sample of these. . . . . All sorts of wild and romantic adventures intervene: and the homely northern life, with its farming and fighting and feasting, and its singular respect, in the midst of all its violence, for recognised law, comes out with wonderful distinctness. The Saga has, moreover, enjoyed the great advantage of having a poet for its translator. Under the skilful hands of Mr. William Morris the vigour and directness of the original has not been allowed to evaporate.'
Saturday Review.
'The translator's work has been admirably done; the English may fairly be called faultless; and it is no slight satisfaction to read a book in which everything is expressed in the fittest phrase, and in which we feel no temptation to make any verbal changes.'
