Out of Context

From Volume 5 of The Raven Edition of The Works of E.A.P.

Poems
Edgar Allan Poe

TO
THE NOBLEST OF HER SEX
THE AUTHOR OF
“THE DRAMA OF EXILE”–
TO
MISS ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING
OF ENGLAND
I DEDICATE THIS VOLUME
WITH THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC ADMIRATION AND
WITH
THE MOST SINCERE ESTEEM
1845 E.A.P.

These trifles are collected and republished chiefly with a view to their redemption from the many improvements to which they have been subjected while going at random the “rounds of the press.” I am naturally anxiouis that what I have written should circulate as I wrote it, if it circulate at all. In defence of my own taste, nevertheless, it is incumbent upon me to say that I think nothing in this volume of much value to the public, or very creditable to myself. Events not to be controlled have prevented me from making, at any time, any serious effort in what, under happier circumstances, would have been the field of my choice. With me poetry has been not a purpose, but a passion; and the passions should be held in reverence: they must not-they can not at will be excited, with an eye to the paltry compensations, or the more paltry commendations, of mankind.