This book investigates the representative powers of language in early modern poetry--the powers, limits, and difficulties of description as well as poets' doubts about both the efficacy and virtue of mimesis. Mattison (Univ. of Toledo) offers intensely detailed readings of Spenser, Sidney, Donne, and Milton, looking at repeated images of veils and landscapes and at poetic attempts (especially by Milton) to create a poetic language that offers a glimpse of something beyond mimesis. Though grounded in particular texts, this dense, theoretical book will be heavy going for many. However, Mattison's conclusions are powerful and exceedingly well supported, repaying the attention required. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers. CHOICE Mattinson (Univ. of Toledo) offers intensely detailed readings of Spenser, Sidney, Donne, and Milton, looking at repeated images of veils and landscapes and at poetic attempts (especially by Milton) to create a poetic language that offers a glimpse of something beyond mimesis.