In this, his latest book, Mr. Noyes presents to the public a poem of even greater value than those which have brought him his early popularity. His earlier works, "Drake," "Sherwood" and "The Enchanted Isle," containing as they did a combination of great vigor of expression, the glamour of true romance, and lilting, haunting music, were but the promise of better things. And in the "Tales of the Mermaid Tavern" we find that promise fulfilled. In a little, shabby inn off Fleet Street, Mr. Noyes lays his scene. The story tells us how, happening there, he is pressed into service as pot-boy, and, 'mid clashing tankards and a ringing chorus, takes up his duties. They roar for new drink-this brilliant company about the old oaken table-Raleigh, Marlowe, Drayton, Lyly, Dekker, Ben Jonson, Peele and Shakespeare- a happy, carefree group. And then the poem moves swiftly. The difficult and daring motive of having each sing or speak is skillfully and convincingly handled. Of the individual poems, 'twere difficult to select the most pleasing. They vary from Sir Walter Raleigh's swinging sea-song, "A Knight of the Ocean," to Shakespeare's tense plea for the unhonored green. There is a joyous flight of fancy, "Black Bill's Honeymoon," which bring "Bacchus and the Pirates" pleasantly to our memories. Probably the greatest passage of the entire collection deals with the life and death of Kit Marlowe. Chapman and Nash sing of the brilliant, youthful poet, and we have pathos in the descriptions of his carefree boyhood, and burning scorn for the vileness of those who brought about his sordid death. There are many, many others, each with a very genuine appeal. Space prevents the pleasant task of praising each one. But the book will be read and appreciated by all. With characteristic unobtrusiveness Mr. Noyes entered the little inn with its faded green shutters and worn sign. Humbly he took his position as pot-boy for the great masters of English poetry. Then he would drift from sight. Yet, with the strain of his triumphant idealism singing in our ears, we prophecy with unbounded assurance that 'twill not be a great space of time before the English nation urges him to the seat which Marlowe, Jonson, and Shakespeare beckon him to so graciously, at the candlelit, oaken table of the Mermaid Tavern. -The Yale Literary Magazine, Volume 78 [1913]

Presents the full text of some poetry written by English poet George Peele (1556-1596), from the "Oxford English Verse 1900" and provided online by Bibliomania.com, Ltd. Includes "Fair and Fair," "A Summer Song," and "A Farewell to Arms."

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Contains over 600 entries describing novels that have theatrical settings or in which characters work in the theatre.