preffion, or of fenfe. Above all, in this, as in every work of genius, fomewhat of an original spirit should be, at least, attempted; otherwife the Poet, whose character difclaims mediocrity, makes a fecondary praife his ultimate ambition; which has fomething of a contradiction in it. Originals only have true life, and differ as much from the best Imitations, as men from the most animated pictures of them. Nor is what I fay at all inconfiftent with a due deference for the great standards of Antiquity; nay, that very deference is an argument for it, for doubtlefs their example is on my fide in this matter. And we fhould rather imitate their example in the general motives, and fundamental methods of their working, than in their works themfelves. This is a diftinction, I think, not hitherto made, and a diftinction of confequence. For the firft may make us their equals; the fecond muft pronounce us their inferiors even in our utmost fuccefs. But the firft of th;fe prizes is not fo readily taken by the moderns; as valuables too maffy for eafy carriage are not fo liable to the thief. The Antients had a particular regard to the choice of their fubjects; which were generally national and great. My fubject is, in its own nature, noble; moit proper for an Englishman; never more proper than on this occafion; and (what is ftrange) hitherto unfung. If I ftand not abfolutely condemned by my own rules; if I have hit the fpirit of Ode in general; if I cannot think with Mr. Cowley, that "Mufic alone, "fometimes, makes an excellent Ode," << Verfus "Verfus inopes rerum, nugæque canoræ ;" if there is any thought, enthusiasm, and picture, which are as the body, foul, and robe of poetry; in a word, if in any degree I have provided rather food for men, than air for wits; I hope fmaller faults will meet indulgence for the fake of the defign, which is the glory of my Country and my King. And indeed, this may be faid, in general, that great fubjects are above being nice; that dignity and spirit ever suffer from fcrupulous exactness; and that the minuter cares effeminate a compofition. Great mafters of Poetry, Painting, and Statuary, in their nobler works, have even affected the contrary: and juftly; for a truly-mafculine air partakes more of the negligent, than of the neat, both in writings, and in life"Grandis oratio haberet majeftatis fuæ pondus." PETRON. A Poem, like a criminal, under too fevere correction, may lose all its spirit, and expire. We know it was Faber imus, that was fuch an artist at a hair or a nail. And we know the cause was "Quia ponere totum "Nefcius." HOR. To clofe; If a piece of this nature wants an apology, I must own; that those who have ftrength of mind fufficient profitably to devote the whole of their time to the feverer ftudies, I despair of imitating, I can only envy and admire. The mind is relieved and ftrengthened by variety; and he that fometimes is fporting with his pen, is only taking the most effectual means means of giving a general importance to it. This truth is clear from the knowledge of human nature, and of History; from which I could cite very celebrated inítances, did I not fear that, by citing them, I should condemn myself, who am fo little qualified to follow their example in its full extent. OCEAN; OCEA N; AN O D E. CONCLUDING WITH A WISH. "Let the fea make a noise, let the floods clap their Waves ceafe to foam, and winds to roar; Without a breeze, The curling feas Dance on, in measure, to the shore. III. Who III. Who fings the fource Of wealth and force? Vaft field of commerce and big war: Where terrors fwell! And Neptune thunders from his car? Where? where are they, Whom Pran's ray Has touch'd, and bid divinely rave? I fnatch the lyre, And plunge into the foaming wave. V. The wave refounds! The rock rebounds! The Nereids to my fong reply! And they confpire With voice and fhell to lift it high; VI. They fpread in air Their bofoms fair; Their verdant treffes pour behind. The billows beat With nimble feet, With notes triumphant fwell the wind. VII. |