DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61385#0024
xviii Chapter II.—Study of the Title of the Poem.
friends. Alone in solitary cave in pious meditation he lived till
death came, and he and Felice were again together. Their faithful
spirits were united in peaceful rest.
Thus the narrative suggested by the title of the present volume
is briefly outlined. The Speculum opens with terse verses, conveying
the purpose of the poem (1—26). A friar-hermit then instructs Guy
of Warwick (68 ff.) and unfolds the discourse closely outlined in
immediate connection with the introductory theme.
In presenting Guy as the subject of theological study, the poet
advances an independent moral purpose. He would inculcate the
doctrine of the development of power through actual experience, as
based upon definite human choice.1 Guy, craving immortal blessed-
ness, touched a vital theme in the development of character. He
would choose eternal life, renounce earth, and win heaven. The
problem of earthly choice is the crux untouched by the strong “grasp
of centuries,” for the Victorian pQet2 also discovers the “gracious
lights ” of earth only,—
“when a soul has seen
By the means of Evil, that the Good is best.”
CHAPTER II.
TITLE AND LITERARY NOTICES OF THE POEM.
§ 1. Study of the Title of the Poem.
1. The title under which the poem of the present edition appears,
Speculum Gy de Warewyke, is extant in the MS. 525 of the Harlcian
collection, fol. 53. That Speculum Gy de Warewyke designated the
text at the period of its authorship, or even that the poet ascribed
title to his composition, contemporary history does not determine.
Four manuscripts add nothing in proof, three being incomplete. The
MS. Bibl. Reg. 17 B. XVII. confirms preference for the element
Speculum.
Speculum Gy de Warewyke incorporates the exact form of the
parchment, but the colophon as justified by the narrative may be
1 See particularly the Speculum, verses 215—220.
2 The mediaeval poet brings to mind incidents where the soul is surprised at
the judgment, as depicted in Robert Browning’s Easter Day, sections xvi and
xx. Compare v. 551 with 31—32 of the Speculum:
‘ ‘ There stood I
Choosing the world.”
friends. Alone in solitary cave in pious meditation he lived till
death came, and he and Felice were again together. Their faithful
spirits were united in peaceful rest.
Thus the narrative suggested by the title of the present volume
is briefly outlined. The Speculum opens with terse verses, conveying
the purpose of the poem (1—26). A friar-hermit then instructs Guy
of Warwick (68 ff.) and unfolds the discourse closely outlined in
immediate connection with the introductory theme.
In presenting Guy as the subject of theological study, the poet
advances an independent moral purpose. He would inculcate the
doctrine of the development of power through actual experience, as
based upon definite human choice.1 Guy, craving immortal blessed-
ness, touched a vital theme in the development of character. He
would choose eternal life, renounce earth, and win heaven. The
problem of earthly choice is the crux untouched by the strong “grasp
of centuries,” for the Victorian pQet2 also discovers the “gracious
lights ” of earth only,—
“when a soul has seen
By the means of Evil, that the Good is best.”
CHAPTER II.
TITLE AND LITERARY NOTICES OF THE POEM.
§ 1. Study of the Title of the Poem.
1. The title under which the poem of the present edition appears,
Speculum Gy de Warewyke, is extant in the MS. 525 of the Harlcian
collection, fol. 53. That Speculum Gy de Warewyke designated the
text at the period of its authorship, or even that the poet ascribed
title to his composition, contemporary history does not determine.
Four manuscripts add nothing in proof, three being incomplete. The
MS. Bibl. Reg. 17 B. XVII. confirms preference for the element
Speculum.
Speculum Gy de Warewyke incorporates the exact form of the
parchment, but the colophon as justified by the narrative may be
1 See particularly the Speculum, verses 215—220.
2 The mediaeval poet brings to mind incidents where the soul is surprised at
the judgment, as depicted in Robert Browning’s Easter Day, sections xvi and
xx. Compare v. 551 with 31—32 of the Speculum:
‘ ‘ There stood I
Choosing the world.”