Text: Anonymous, “Mr. Poe's Lecture,” Norfolk Beacon (Norfolk, VA), September 17, 1849, p. 2

Mr. Poe delivered a lecture on “The Poetic Principle,” with various citations, at the Lecture Room of the Academy, on Friday evening. The main proposition of the lecture, was that there could not be a long poem — that a long metrical composition must tire and cease to be a poem. Milton's Paradise Lost and the Iliad were cited in illustration, which he said were but a succession of brilliant poetic scintillations — a collection of short poems. Mr. Poe entered into an analysis of the poem proper, and pointed out the defects as well as beauties of celebrated poets. There should not be too much brevity, nor should there be undue expansion in poetical compositions. In elucidation of his opinions, Mr. Poe recited with fine effect, extracts from the poetic effusions of Longfellow, Bryant, Willis, and Edward Pinkney, who he said was born too far South to be appreciated by the North American Quarterly Review — and from the works of Shelly [[Shelley]], Byron, Moore, Hood and others. Those of Longfellow and Pinkney, were particularly remarkable for beauty of rhythm as well as of sentiment. These recitations were received with rounds of applause from the intelligent audience. Mr. Poe concluded the lecture by reciting by request, his brilliant fantasy, “The Raven,” — The audience seemed highly gratified with the intellectual repast which had been laid before them.