THE

POETICAL WORKS

OF

EDGAR ALLAN POE,

WITH ORIGINAL MEMOIR.

ILLUSTRATED BY F. R. PICKERSGILL, R. A,

JOHN TENNIEL, BIRKET FOSTER, FÉLIX DARLEY, JASPER CROPSEY,

P. DUGGAN, PERCIVAL SKELTON, AND A. M. MADOT.

NEW ILLUSTRATED EDITION.

LONDON:

SAMPSON LOW, SON, AND MARSTON,

MILTON HOUSE, LUDGATE HILL.

MDCCCLXVI.

LONDON:

R CLAY, SON, AND TAYLOR, PRINTERS,

BREAD STREET HILI.

75

22605

1866

PREFACE.

THESE trifles are collected and republished chiefly with a view to their redemption from the many improvements to which they have been subjected while going at random "the rounds of the press." I am naturally anxious that what I have written should circulate as I wrote it, if it circulate at all. In defence of my own taste, nevertheless, it is incumbent upon me to say that I think nothing in this volume of much value to the public, or very creditable to myself. Events not to be controlled have prevented me from making, at any time, any serious effort in what, under happier circumstances, would have been the field. of my choice. With me poetry has been not a purpose, but a passion; and the passions should be held in reverence; they must not they cannot at will be excited, with an eye to the paltry compensations, or the more paltry commendations of

mankind.

E. A. P.