“ The argument of the prologue is, 'Certain gentlemen and mariners of Norway, having considered all that they had heard of the Earthly Paradise, set sail to find it; and after many troubles, and the lapse of many years, came old men to some western land of which they had never before heard. ”

“ That such a theme gives a fine opportunity to a discursive poet is patent,
THE EARTHLY PARADISE.
and Mr. Morris has made good use of it. Many subjects are treated in the prologue, and perhaps it is as good as anything in the poem. A general lack of purpose will strike the reader ”