Poets' Corner; A Manual for Students in English Poetry, with Biographical Sketches of the Authors

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 Excerpt: ...hath left his debtor: I wish it soon may have a better. And since you dread no further lashes, Methinks you may forgive his ashes. ON POETRY. A RHAPSODY. 1733. All human race would fain be wits, And millions miss for one that hits. Young's universal passion, pride, Was never known to spread so wide. Say, Britain, could you ever boast Three poets in an age at most? Our chilling climate hardly bears A sprig of bays in fifty years; While every fool his claim alleges, As if it grew in common hedges. # Not empire to the rising sun, By valour, conduct, fortune won; Not highest wisdom in debates For framing laws to govern states; Not skill in sciences profound, So large to grasp the circle round; Such heavenly influence require, As how to strike the Muse's lyre. Not beggar's brat on bulk begot; Not bastard of a pedlar Scot; Not boy brought up to cleaning shoes, The spawn of Bridewell or the stews; (1) It is a well known fact that Dean Swift left a large part of bis prorrty for the foundation of a Lunatic Asylum in Dublin. Not infants dropt, the spurious pledges Of gipsies littering under hedges; Are so disqualify'd by fate To rise in Church, or Law, or State, As he whom Phcebus in his ire Hath blasted with poetic fire. Poor starvling bard, how small thy gains! How unproportion'd to thy pains! And here a simile comes pat in: Though chickens take a month to fatten, The guests in less than half an hour Will more than half a score devour. So, after toiling twenty days To earn a stock of pence and praise, Thy labours, grown the critic's prey, Are swallow'd o'er a dish of tea; Gone to be never heard of more, Gone where chickens went before. How shall a new attenipter learn Of different spirits to discern, And how distinguish which is which, The poet's vein or scri...