THE POETICAL WORKS OF THE REV: H. H. MILMAN. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. MDCCCXXXIX. INTRODUCTION. THE subject of the following Drama had long appeared to me peculiarly adapted to the purposes of poetry. I had, some time ago, imagined a sketch, in a great degree similar to that which I have now filled up. The course of professional study, which led me to the early annals of our Church, recalled it to my remembrance, and, as it were, forced it on my attention. In the outline of the plot, and the development of the characters, especially that of Anne Boleyn, I have endeavoured to preserve historical truth: where history is silent, I have given free scope to poetic license, and introduced a character entirely imaginary. In endeavouring to embody that awful spirit of fanaticism-the more awful, because strictly conscientiouswhich was arrayed against our early Reformers, I hope to be considered as writing of those times alone. The representation of the manner in which bigotry hardens into intolerance, intolerance into cruelty and an infringement on the great eternal principles of morality, can never be an unprofitable lesson. The annals of all nations, in which reformation was begun or completed; those of the League in France, of the Low Countries and Spain, as well as of England, will fully bear me out in the picture which I have drawn: but I have no hesitation in asserting that even in those times the wise and good among the Roman Catholics reprobated, as strongly as ourselves, the sanguinary and unprincipled means by which the power of the Papacy was maintained. I should observe, that I have, trust with no unpardonable anachronism, anticipated |