Are these the triumphs then that rank affords, 175 And these, Patricians, these your Poet Lords? One steals remorseless, while the other strives For ancient rhymes, and Arcadie revives. O were it not, that some superior few Lo! next, ambitious Wharton* fain would share The Politician's and the Poet's care: 180 NOTES. Idiots and Lunatics in possession." In "The Battle of Hexham " a Corporal says to his troop :-" Know yourselves for a parcel of Fools, and I'm at the head of you." * Of" Roncesvalles," which is the title of the Epic Poem that the Secretary to the Treasury has presented to the world, with all the advantages of being printed on wire-wove paper-dedicated to a Princess of the Blood Royal-and decorated with a dainty Print of Urganda seated on the summit of a Volcano, and enve First, from the Treasury Benches would demand 185 Then from the World retired, in happier hours Ask from their hands the " Ways and Means " form An Epic glowing from his Fancy warm. The Poem finished: the impatient Bard Seeks from the world a Poet's great reward; to 190 NOTES. loped with clouds-it will not be difficult to predict, that, like the Arthur of Blackmore, the Davideis of Cowley, the Moses or the Deborah of Parnell, it will never be read beyond the first fifty lines. Mr. Wharton has taken his materials chiefly from Berni's Rifaccimento of L'Orlando Innamorato of Boyardo, and the Morgante Maggiore of Pulci, although it is only to the former of these that he makes due acknowledgement. But the embellish ments of imagination, the harmony of measure, and the propriety of versification, are peculiarly his own. So peculiarly, indeed, that however uncertain I may be as to whether he feel much honored by the profit, of this I am sure, that the "honor profiteth him nothing." 3 Thinks that his task's complete; that even now 195 Vain hope! The Magic, in his line imprest, And left each charm of Poesy behind. Then, from the brain, the Epic Monster sprang, Now Judgment frowns, as o'er the rugged lay 205 'Mid pilfer'd scenes she struggling holds her way; And, once again, finds Ariosto's line, Where Fiends, and Spells, and Chivalry combine; But then the age the Bard's excuse might plead, 210 And wing'd Invention consecrate the deed; Now, when the times no fictious tale require, 215 Strange mania! that the pamper'd sons of ease, Who rise from pow'r to pow'r by due degrees, Should, far from danger, in its scenes delight, And dream of what they ne'er beheld—a fight! 220 E'en Croker loves in poesy to kill, Tho' "half the business of the world stand still." He sings, while all, to foreign wars who roam, Are sacrificed to Battles fought at home. At home? Yes-trained like Addison to wield 225 NOTES. * The letters in the Courier signed "Nereus," are attributed to Mr. Croker. And Vict'ry's losses strives to reimburse, * By turning Wellington's Despatch to verse! 230 Say, who is het that vainly hopes to move By adding Crusoe to a tale of love; NOTES. See "Talavera," a Poem by J. W. Croker, Esq. + Redeunt Saturnia Regna! the reign of nonsense and Della Crusca is returned; and it will require more than, the hand of a Gifford to crush this modern Antæus. That Mr. Wilson is a worthy member of the "Cruscan Fraternity" may be seen by the following extracts from " a non-descript, called the Isle of Palms," to which he has prefixed his name: The tiniest boat that ever sailed "Might through this sea, without a fear, Her silent journey take.". "How like a monarch would she glide, While the husht billows kiss'd her side With low and lulling tone.". "List how in murmurs of delight |