Front matter
Reading edition
Produced by C. Aldarondo, T. Vergon, R. Prince and the Distributed Proofreaders
[Illustration: ROBERT BROWNING]
ROBERT BROWNING: HOW TO KNOW HIM
By WILLIAM LYON PHELPS, M.A., PH.D. Lampton Professor of English Literature at Yale
WITH PORTRAIT
TO JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY WITH SINCERE AFFECTION AND RESPECT
PREFACE
In this volume I have attempted to give an account of Browning's life and an estimation of his character: to set forth, with sufficient illustration from his poems, his theory of poetry, his aim and method: to make clear some of the leading ideas in his work: to show his fondness for paradox: to exhibit the nature and basis of his optimism. I have given in complete form over fifty of his poems, each one preceded by my interpretation of its meaning and significance.
W. L. P.
[Illistration: Seven Gables, Lake Huron]