TRANSLATION. HYMN TO ARISTOGEITON AND HARMODIUS. Attributed to Poe by Mr. J. H. Ingram ("The Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe," J. C. Nimmo, London, 1884; Vol. iv., p. 330). [Southern Literary Messenger, December, 1835.] I. WREATHED in myrtle, my sword I'll conceal, II. Beloved heroes! your deathless souls roam III. In fresh myrtle my blade I 'll entwine, IV. Ye deliverers of Athens from shame! Embalmed in their echoing songs POE AND JOHN NEAL. POE AND JOHN NEAL. POE'S EARLIEST LETTER. THE 1829 POEMS IN MS. THE MAGICIAN. THE SKELETON HAND. THE Yankee; and Boston Literary Gazette: New Series... No. 1: July, 1829," is the title of a rare periodical monthly edited by John Neal with a motto from Bentham : "Utility. The greatest happiness of the greatest number, and devoted, in the twenties, to literature, art, science, and the drama. In some way Poe's attention was drawn to this publication after the issue of his Boston "Tamerlane volume of 1827, and while he was engaged in preparing for the press the "Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems" of 1829. He was barely twenty at the time, and scanning the horizon all around for a sympathetic friend, his gaze fell by chance, it seems, on John Neal and his periodical at a time when the partial rupture with the Allans rendered Poe peculiarly susceptible to sympathy. The result was that Poe began a correspondence with Neal 1 The editor has been permitted to make this study of Poe's early literary relations with John Neal and "The Yankee" through the courtesy of the authorities of the Hallowell (Maine) Social Library, which owns the rare volume of "The Yankee "quoted. He would also thank Prof. C. F. Richardson, of Dartmouth College, for his kindness in locating and securing the use of the volume for him. J. A. H. which resulted in several contributions of poems to the magazine. The two poems we reproduce here"The Skeleton Hand" and "The Magician". appear, the former in the August number of "The Yankee " signed "P," the latter in the December number, signed the same way. Both are in our opinion boyish products of Poe's muse, "The Magician," a finely imaginative one; and as to the latter, the writer has the high authority of Prof. Richardson, who agrees with him that it is undoubtedly Poe's. As to "The Skeleton Hand," Prof. Richardson and Dr. Kent dissent; Dr. Kent, also, thinks "The Magi. cian" is not Poe's. I. THE SKELETON-HAND. [From The Yankee, Aug., 1829.] Lo! one is on the mountain side, With their black wings flapping heavily, Like eagles in the sky; Or lying up in the forest trees, And waiting there for the mountain-breeze. And now he passes through the clouds And up to the mountain-top, Nor yet to look for the joyous sun Does the hasty traveller stop. But he leapeth down in the broken path With a step as light and free As ever in his days of mirth, In the dance and revelry. Why endeth he his hasty speed? In truth it is a fearful thing, For human tongue to say. He fears that toward him pointeth there, A fleshless human hand; Where the mountain rains have swept away, Its covering of sand; That hand his very soul doth stir, For it proveth him a murderer. Ay long ago on the mountain side, And the murderer thought him safe, that none As he rolled in the heavens the dead above, And flooded the earth with his rays of love. Now lifted he his clouded eye, To the mountain crests behind And o'er them came the broad black clouds, And on them their thick darkness spread And then shone out the flaming sun, From the waters of the sea; And God's own bow came in the clouds, And looked out gloriously; But its colours were of wo and wrath, That threw their light o'er the murderer's path. And now God's chariots the clouds, And yet no power to move hath be, Over the murderer and dead, They rolled their mighty host; Forth from their mighty bosom came, And Rolled from the murder-path. and sun, And the sun shone out where the murderer lay, With his hand all seared, and his breast torn bare - (Signed) P. |