Arthur Hobsin Quinn, History of American Drama From the Civil War to the Present Time, New York: Appleton-Century-Croft, 1927.
"A one-act tragedy of exquisite pathos and of telling dramatic effect."

Book Description
This compelling one-act tragedy in blank verse is based on the final hours of the life of poet Thomas Chatterton (1752-1770). Lacy skillfully wove what factual strands he could discover about Chatterton's life with creations of his own mind to construct this seamless romantic tragedy. One of the highlights of the play is a sonnet of Lacy's creation, rather than Chatterton's. A Boston critic wrote, "Finding nothing in the works of Chatterton that would be suited to give as it were, the whole secret of that fate-riven, yearning soul in so few lines, Mr. Lacy was moved to write the sonnet himself. It is an achievement that deserves more than passing notice.... It tastes of genius." This illustrated edition includes an etching of actress Julia Marlowe as Chatterton. Michele Mollo provides an introduction summarizing Lacy's life and work as well as a commentary on the play.

About the Author
Ernest Lacy (1863-1916) managed Walnut Street and Park Theaters in Philadelphia in the 1880s. Through his theater work, he met actress Julia Marlowe, who later played the part of the poor hero in Chatterton. From 1893 until his death, Lacy taught English at Philadelphia's Central High School. Although he never attended college, the Philadelphia Board of Education granted him an honorary doctorate of English. Lacy continued as a playwright throughout his teaching career, and newspaper critics hailed him as "the American Shakespeare." The shift in literary tastes that followed World War caused Lacy's work to drop from the literary landscape.

Excerpted from Chatterton by Ernest Lacy and Michele Mollo. Copyright © 1998. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved
Each man doth pay a price for what he has. The very qualities of mind and heart That make a poet make a sufferer. The keenness of perception, which unfolds A realm of beauty hid to other eyes, Unmasks the world: shows him indifference Behind the flimsy guise of courtesy, The shallowness of friendship, the alloy Of self, debasing charity to trade. The vividness of his imagination, Which, in a garret, gives him trees and flowers, The cool salt sea and heaven's blue expanse, Enlarges troubles, and creates such fears He trembles at the possible in life. The sensibility, which treasures up Each word or look of kindness as a gem, Makes bitterer the haughtiness of birth, The vulgar swelling of a pompous purse, The slur, the slight, the mockery of fools. Beyond he sees a spiritual sphere, Where, by unselfishness, the terrible Becomes a valued teacher-where the power To wound through self is lost; yet cannot reach it. He is a medium through which all things speak: The human passions wrack his nervous frame; Each thing in nature makes his heart its pulse. Who would aspire to wear the laurel crown?- It is a crown of thorns!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This compelling one-act tragedy in blank verse is based on the final hours of the life of poet Thomas Chatterton (1752-1770). Lacy skillfully wove what factual strands he could discover about Chatterton's life with creations of his own mind to construct this seamless romantic tragedy. One of the highlights of the play is a sonnet by Lacy that is presented as the work of Chatterton. A Boston critic wrote, "Finding nothing in the works of Chatterton that would be suited to give as it were, the whole secret of that fate-riven, yearning soul in so few lines, Mr. Lacy was moved to write the sonnet himself. It is an achievement that deserves more than passing notice.... It tastes of genius."