"
43. where the worm never dies: implies the gnawing of unending
grief. Cf. Isaiah lxvi. 24, and Mark ix. 44, 46, 48.
44. The Lion: the constellation Leo.
64. sibyllic: usually "sibylline," prophetic; from "sibyl."
Consult Gayley's "Classic Myths."
179. legended tomb: having on it an inscription.
TO ---- ---- (Page 33)
Published in March, 1848, and is another tribute to Mrs. Shew. See
note on "To M.L. S-----," page 188.
9-10. The quotation is from George Peele's "David and Bethsabe," an
English drama published in 1599:
Or let the dew be sweeter far than that
That hangs, like chains of pearl, on Hermon hill.
14-15. Cf. the poem "Israfel," and the notes on it.
AN ENIGMA (Page 34)
Published in March, 1848. To find the name, read the first letter of
the first line, the second letter of the second line, and so on. In
form this is a sonnet irregular in rhyme scheme.
1. Solomon Don Dunce: a fanciful name for a stupid person.
6. Petrarchan stuff: of or by Petrarch (1304-1374), a famous
Italian writer of sonnets.
10. tuckermanities: a contemptuous allusion to the poetic
efforts of Henry T. Tuckerman, a New England writer of the day.
14. dear names: Sarah Anna Lewis, a verse writer of the day,
whom Poe admired.
TO HELEN (Page 35)
Published in November, 1848; addressed to Mrs.
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