writer
and poet
. His best known works were the prose Imaginary Conversations
, and the poem Rose Aylmer, but the critical acclaim he received from contemporary poets and reviewers was not matched by public popularity. As remarkable as his work was, it was equaled by his rumbustious character and lively temperament.
In a long and active life of eighty-nine years Landor produced a considerable amount of work in various genres.
Ah what avails the sceptered race,Ah what the form divine!
Rose Aylmer, whom these wakeful eyesMay weep, but never see,A night of memories and of sighsI consecrate to thee.
'Tis verse that givesImmortal youth to mortal maids.
When we play the fool, how wideThe theatre expands! beside,How long the audience sits before us!How many prompters! what a chorus!
There is delight in singing, though none hearBeside the singer.
Shakespeare is not our poet, but the world's,Therefore on him no speech! and brief for thee,Browning! Since Chaucer was alive and hale,No man hath walked along our roads with stepSo active, so inquiring eye, or tongueSo varied in discourse.
The Siren waits thee, singing song for song.
I strove with none, for none was worth my strife;Nature I loved; and next to Nature, Art.I warmed both hands before the fire of life;It sinks, and I am ready to depart.