The Poetry and Mystery of Dreams (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Excerpt from The Poetry and Mystery of Dreams

I was first induced to compile this work, by observing that many of the similes of 'the older English and German poets were evidently inspired by the beautiful superstitions of their day, and indeed that all the art of the Middle Ages, whether literary or plastic, rests to a degree upon a supernatural foundation. The mysticism or Spiritualism of herrick is by no means confined to his Fairy Land or Charms and Ceremonies chaucer has carried his respect for Dreamland to the verge of faith, while in shakspeare we find the inspiration of popular belief constantly developed in the most exquisite'fancies. In illustrating the ancient interpretations of dreams by frag ments of modern poetry, I have therefore simply attempted to bring back the latter to the point whence it in many instances originated, and to compare the perfect flower with the first rude cutting from which it sprung.

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