Page images
PDF
EPUB

But I shall not remark further upon a species of criticism more becoming the character of Zoilus than your Lordship's. You are eloquent and convincing when you vindicate the poetry of mighty productions of genius and art, whether presented to our view or recalled by association to our memory; you do great discredit to your own temper and taste, when you affect to find no poetry in Cowper, and endeavour to question the originality of Campbell. Pope requires not the sacrifice which your Lordship would offer. Horace's satires and epistles would have derived no benefit from the destruction of Virgil's poetry. In "the dead language" of those unrivalled poets, the wit, and wisdom, and ethics of Horace are studied with intense delight, but far higher is the delight with which we read the pathetic dreams of Dido, the fervent but unavailing prayers of Evander, and the frantic exclamations of the agonized mother of Euryalus. Posterity will admire the elegance, the spirit, and the wit of Pope, but they will weep with "Conrad," and delight in the holiest sympathy with "O'Connor's pale and lovely child." When the Epistles of Horace shall cease to excite attention, and give delight by felicity of expression and familiarity of description, on human character and conduct, then, but not till then, will the writings of Cowper become uninteresting. In Cowper's personal character we feel much of the interest that is excited by the most poetical of persons:

"I am a very foolish fond old man,

Fourscore and upward; and, to deal plainly,
I fear, I am not in my perfect mind.”

Poor Ophelia

"Divided from herself and her fair judgment,"

does not on that account affect us less by her poetry. Who delights not to "wheel the sofa round," and converse with the bard of Olney? Who can see him feeding his hares in the evening, or hear him—

"Sighing say,

"I knew at least one hare that had a friend,” without feeling emotions of no ordinary nature?

Collins was a poet, and yet the most poetical words he ever uttered are: "I have but one book, but that is the best." The heart of an intelligent and honest reader is a more correct critic than the proudest idol of popular applause, and the heart of such a reader will repose with delight on the pages of Cowper, in defiance of all the laws and decisions of the favored poets of the present day. Zoilus might have said, that Homer lived at a happy time for his fame; and, leaving no monument of his mind but his criticism, might be too much despised to be execrated. I believe your Lordship pronounced Cowper no poet, not in the insolence of rank or

fame, but because you regarded only the rank and fame of Pope : believing so, I am confident you will be ready to do justice to Cowper, when your professional duty can leave you at liberty to act worthily of your poetical renown.

[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »