Poems and Plays, Volume 5

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T. Cadell, 1785
 

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Page 171 - Sculpture, is a sufficient proof that the pleasure we receive from imitation is not increased merely in proportion as it approaches to minute and detailed reality ; we are pleased, on the contrary, by seeing ends accomplished by seemingly inadequate means.
Page iii - It seems," said Hayley, when he published the most fanciful and the most fortunate of his works, . . " It seems to be a kind of duty incumbent on those who devote themselves to poetry, to raise, if possible, the dignity of a declining art, by making it as beneficial to life and manners as the limits of composition, and the character of modern times will allow.
Page 83 - Yahoos) to be a worfe book to perufe, than thofe which we forbid, as the moft flagitious and obfcene. One abfurdity in this Author (a wretched Philofopher though a great Wit) is well worth remarking — in order to render the nature of Man odious, and the nature of Beafts amiable, he is compelled to give human characters to his...
Page vii - I fear most ineffectually) for powers to unite some touches of the sportive wildness of Ariosto, and the more serious sublime painting of Dante, with some portion of the enchanting elegance, the refined imagination, and the moral graces of Pope ; and to do this, if possible, without violating those rules of propriety which Mr.
Page iii - Poet was idolized for its miraculous effects; yet a poem, intended to promote the cultivation of good humour, may still, perhaps, be fortunate enough to prove of some little service to society in general ; or if this idea may be thought too chimerical and romantic by sober reason, it is at least one of those pleasing and innocent delusions, in which a poetical enthusiast may be safely indulged." —
Page 83 - Misanthropy," says a true philosopher, "is so dangerous a thing, and goes so far in sapping the very foundation of morality and religion, that I esteem the last part of Swift's Gulliver (that I mean relative to his Houyhnhnms and Yahoos) to be a worse book to peruse, than those which we forbid as the most flagitious and obscene. One absurdity in this author (a wretched philosopher, though a great wit) is well worth remarking ; in order to render the nature of...
Page 54 - By the fhrill echo of far other found : * Per me fi va nella citta dolente, Per me fi va nell' eterno dolore, Per me fi va tra la perduta gente, ###*####** Lafciate ogni fperanza, voi ch* intratc.

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