Excerpt from The Princess All study is a quest of something. One seeks, in order to find. Before undertaking the study of The Princess, therefore, it is only proper to inquire toward what objects this quest may most profitably be directed. Considering the nature of the poem for it is in this that the answer is to be sought - we find that T he Princess abounds in beauty, and that its object is to set forth and illustrate a truth or truths of which the poet is profoundly con vinced. This being conceded, it follows that, while opinions are likely to vary concerning the degree or amount of beauty and of truth attained, it is improbable that any one who has qualified himself by reflection to form a judgment on the matter will assert that the poet has compassed both absolute beauty and absolute truth. In other words, we must hold ourselves prepared, how ever we may at first sight be dazzled by the many and varied excellences of the poem, to recognize in it the presence of more or less imperfection.

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