It was a favorite article of his
poetic creed that there could be no such creation as a long poem, that such
a poem would in reality be a series of poems. He thought that each poem
should cause only one definite emotional impression, and that a long poem
would lack the necessary unity. He says that he determined in advance that
_The Raven_ should contain about one hundred lines.
His poetic aim was solely "the creation of beauty." He says:--
"Regarding, then, Beauty as my province, my next question referred to the
_tone_ of its highest manifestation; and all experience has shown that
this tone is one of _sadness_. Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme
development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears. Melancholy
is thus the most legitimate of all the poetical tones."
[Footnote: _The Philosophy of Composition_.]
He then concludes that death is the most melancholy subject available for a
poet, and that the death of a beautiful woman "is unquestionably the most
poetical topic in the world." From the popularity of _The Raven_ at home
and abroad, in comparison with other American poems, it would seem as if
the many agreed with Poe and felt the fascination of the burden of his
song:--
"Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore--
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.
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