Miscellaneous Works of Oliver Goldsmith (Volume 2); With a New Life of the Author

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1833. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ESSAY XV. POETRY DISTINGUISHED FROM OTHER WRITING. Having communicated our sentiments touching the origin of poetry, by tracing tragedy and comedy to their common source, we shall now endeavour to point out the criteria h; which poetry is distinguished from every other species of writing. In common with other arts, such as statuary ami painting, it comprehends imitation, invention, composition and enthusiasm. Imitation is indeed the basis of all tie liberal arts; invention and enthusiasm constitute genius, ii whatever manner it may be displayed. Eloquence of aO sorts admits of enthusiasm. Tully says, an orator should be vehemens ut procella, excitatus ut torrens, incensns it fulmen: tonat, fulgurat, et rapidis eloquentise fluctibus cuncte proruit et proturbat.-- Violent as a tempest, impetuous as a torrent, and glowing intense like the red bolt of heara he thunders, lightens, overthrows, and bears down all before him, by the irresistible tide of eloquence. This is the mm divmior atque os magna sonaturum of Horace. This is the We are told, that Michael Angelo Buonaroti used to wort at his statues in a fit of enthusiasm, during which he made the fragments of the stone fly about him with surprising violence. The celebrated Lully being one day blamed fci setting nothing to music but the languid verses of Quinauh. was animated with the reproach, and running in a fit of enthusiasm to his harpsichord, sung in recitative, and accompanied four pathetic lines from the Iphigenia of Racine, with such expression as filled the hearers with astonishment and horror. With passions not my own who fires my heart; Who with unreal terrors fills my breast, As with a magic influence possess'd. Though versification be one of the criteria that distinguish poetry from pro...