"But are not the dreams of poets and the tales of travellers notoriously false?"

H. P. Lovecraft, in this quote, challenges the accuracy and reliability of both poetic imagination and tourists' tales. The declaration triggers a consideration of the nature of reality and fiction and how they link in human storytelling.

Lovecraft, a master of odd fiction, valued the power of imagination and the appeal of the unknown. By questioning the "dreams of poets", he describes the often fantastical and surreal visions that poets weave into their work. Poetry, with its metaphorical and symbolic language, frequently stretches beyond the limits of truth to check out much deeper realities or evoke emotions. These "dreams" might not be actually true, however they can communicate realities that resonate on a psychological or existential level. The suggestion that they are "notoriously incorrect" can be interpreted as a recommendation of their departure from accurate accuracy, however not always a dismissal of their worth.

Likewise, the "tales of travellers" evoke images of remote lands, unique experiences, and the enchantment of the unidentified. Historically, travel narratives have actually integrated firsthand experiences with components of misconception and exaggeration, blurring the line in between reality and fiction. While such tales may have stretched the reality, they likewise served to broaden the creativity of those who heard them, inspiring wonder and a sense of adventure.

Lovecraft's quote welcomes readers to welcome apprehension while likewise acknowledging the transformative power of storytelling. Both poets and travelers play with reality, crafting narratives that may not hold up to accurate scrutiny but can however brighten deeper aspects of human experience. Hence, Lovecraft appears to both review and commemorate these "notoriously incorrect" narratives, highlighting the dual role they play: deceivers of actual truth yet purveyors of metaphorical insight and imagination. This duality is central to his own work, as he invites readers into realms where the line between truth and fiction is enticingly blurred.