The Missionary. Preface To The Second Edition.[1] Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A A B C D E F A G H D I J| The Missionary | A |
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| Amor patri ratione potentior omni | A |
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| It is not necessary to relate the causes which induced me to publish this poem without a name | B |
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| The favour with which it has been received may make me less diffident in avowing it and as a second edition has been generally called for I have endeavoured to make it in every respect less unworthy of the public eye | C |
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| I have availed myself of every sensible objection the most material of which was the circumstance that the Indian maid described in the first book had not a part assigned to her of sufficient interest in the subsequent events of the poem and that the character of the Missionary was not sufficiently professional | D |
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| The single circumstance that a Spanish commander with his army in South America was destroyed by the Indians in consequence of the treachery of his page who was a native and that only a priest was saved is all that has been taken from history The rest of this poem the personages father daughter wife et cet with the exception of the names of Indian warriors is imaginary The time is two months The first four books include as many days and nights The rest of the time is occupied by the Spaniards' march the assembly of warriors et cet | E |
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| The place in which the scene is laid was selected because South America has of late years received additional interest and because the ground was at once new poetical and picturesque | F |
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| From old fashioned feelings perhaps I have admitted some a rial agents or what is called machinery It is true that the spirits cannot be said to accelerate or retard the events but surely they may be allowed to show a sympathy with the fate of those among whom poetical fancy has given them a prescriptive ideal existence They may be further excused as relieving the narrative and adding to the imagery | A |
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| The causes which induced me to publish this poem without a name induced me also to attempt it in a versification to which I have been least accustomed which to my ear is most uncongenial and which is in itself most difficult I mention this in order that if some passages should be found less harmonious than they might have been the candour of the reader may pardon them | G |
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| Scene South America | H |
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| Characters Valdivia commander of the Spanish armies Lautaro his page a native of Chili Anselmo the missionary Indiana his adopted daughter wife of Lautaro Zarinel the wandering minstrel | D |
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| Indians Attacapac father of Lautaro Olola his daughter sister of Lautaro Caupolican chief of the Indians Indian warriors | I |
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| The chief event of the poem turns upon the conduct of Lautaro but as the Missionary acts so distinguished a part and as the whole of the moral depends upon him it was thought better to retain the title which was originally given to the poem | J |
William Lisle Bowles
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