Poetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 4

In this collection the poet‑dramatist offers two ambitious verse plays that bring history and myth to a vivid spoken stage. Palicio opens in a sweltering Palermo palace, where Spanish officials and local nobles spar over loyalty, power, and personal ambition during a turbulent occupation of Sicily. The dialogue crackles with political intrigue, romantic rivalry and a rich, Elizabethan‑flavoured diction that invites listeners to picture a city on the brink of upheaval, while the cast of colourful characters—viceroys, dukes, lovers and soldiers—sets the scene for a tangled drama of honor and desire.

The companion piece, The Return of Ulysses, re‑imagines the legendary hero’s homecoming in a similarly grand five‑act structure, blending epic narration with intimate moments of longing and doubt. Bridges’ language balances classical allusion with the musicality of late‑Victorian verse, making the poems especially rewarding for the ear. Together the works showcase a rare combination of historical depth and lyrical intensity that rewards careful listening without revealing the later twists that lie ahead.