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A Poem;

IN TWO CANTOS.

BY CHARLES BURTON, LL.B.

SECOND EDITION.

WITH COPIOUS CRITICAL NOTES

AND ILLUSTRATIVE SELECTIONS.

Καλὸν ἀκουέμεν ἐστιν ἀοιδοῦ

Τοίοῦ δ ̓ οἷος ὁ δ ̓ ἐστι θεοῖς ἐναλίγκιος αὐδὴν.

HOM. ODYSS I. 370, 371.

Poetæ quod piè et justè dixerunt, recipit Plato;
Quæ, minus rectè, detestatur.

BESSAR. CAR. IN CAL. PLAT. 1. 1. c. 8.

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SOLD BY LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN;

AND BY J. GLEAVE, DEANSGATE, MANCHESTER.

1823.

Entered at Stationers' Hall.

ERRATA.

Page 18, for "wandering prest," read "wand'ring and oppress'd."

Page 34, for "Terene," read "Terence."

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Preface.

THE following Poem, which appeared, at first, as an Ode, has been amplified so much beyond it's original form, that to change it's Title has become indispensable. Its design, however, is the same; namely, to descant upon the use and abuse of Poetry. The abstract nature of Poetry is developed; the various sources of it's inspiration are exhibited; and Poets of eminence, in it's different departments, both ancient and modern, foreign and vernacular, are introduced, in the class to which they appear properly to belong. Brief allusions are frequently made to leading biographical circumstances of the lives of the most illustrious ; connected with critical animadversions upon their writings. In the classification, the place assigned to each, has been determined by what was deemed the peculiar and prevailing fort of the author, or

the predominating character and quality of his performances. If the character of a Poet be concentrated within a single line, it has been the result of painful analysis. It is hoped that no precipitate judgment will be formed with respect to the decision that is made. When the reader has investigated, balanced, viewed, and reviewed every particular, his opinion may be candid and impartial. May the author be allowed to suggest, that a judgment, determined by the genius and execution of isolated pieces, is scarcely possible to be correct. Peculiar predilections for some particular author, and a circumscribed acquaintance with the Poets, will necessarily induce a warmth of partiality, which more general perusals would at once moderate and .cool. He who has read "Thomson's Seasons,' often speaks with as invincible dogmatism and su'percilious animadversion as if he had read Chaucer and Spenser, or rather, I may, more justly, observe, as if he had never seen them.

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Many, especially modern, Poets will not be found in the following sketches. This, however, does not arise from invidious distinction; but, from the fact, that, of many authors, brilliant in talent, and superior in merit, numbers must ever remain dis

regarded; and that the estimate of their deservings would be too hazardous, at least, for the present. The apotheosis of a character is the work of a century; and even the estimate of genius should pass seven times through the furnace of criticism, before it can appear without dross and alloy. If, therefore, any individuals appear unfairly dealt with, it would be base to remain inflexible to just representation.

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Little is said of any, except one; and for this, we presume, no apology will be needed. It was what the author conceived to be the abuse of splendid genius, in him, that gave rise to this Poem: and if he be treated with unsheltered and unmitigated severity, let it be remembered, that the censure is not the acrimonious satire of complacency, but the serious reprobation of sorrow and disgust. Genius is not dismissed without legitimate praise; but Religion is supported with fearless resolution. The author knows that he stands on the platform of Truth and Virtue; and though he may not be intimidated by the venal logomachy of the scribbler, nor the impertinent, as ignorant, animadversions of the sciolist; nor be awed into silence by the merciless anathemas of hypercritical malignity; he would, nevertheless, be ashamed of that obstinate

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