When Caine wrote this sonnet he and DGR were in an intense correspondence about DGR's
sequence of
“Five English
Poets”
, which he was then composing. A particular focus of
interest was DGR's sonnet on Keats, and Caine's sonnet
is itself plainly cast in a Keatsian key. The general allusion to
“To Autumn”
is obvious.
The central argument is that many poets much influenced by DGR have gained a contemporary
fame that DGR has not. Caine must have most in mind Morris and Swinburne. Caine's prose
note to his sonnet underscores a point that he clearly wants to make, but that the final lines of the sonnet
leave unclear and confused.
This collection contains 1 text or image, including:
South African National Gallery Manuscript text
Scholarly Commentary
Introduction
When Caine wrote this sonnet he and DGR were in an intense correspondence about DGR's sequence of “Five English Poets” , which he was then composing. A particular focus of interest was DGR's sonnet on Keats, and Caine's sonnet is itself plainly cast in a Keatsian key. The general allusion to “To Autumn” is obvious.
The central argument is that many poets much influenced by DGR have gained a contemporary fame that DGR has not. Caine must have most in mind Morris and Swinburne. Caine's prose note to his sonnet underscores a point that he clearly wants to make, but that the final lines of the sonnet leave unclear and confused.
Printing History
The manuscript poem has never been printed.