The Works of the English Poets: With Prefaces, Biographical and Critical, Volume 38

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Samuel Johnson
C. Bathurst, 1779

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Page 261 - Milton has several of the latter, where we find not an antiquated, affected, or uncouth word, for some hundred lines together; as in his fifth book, the latter part of the eighth, the former of the tenth and eleventh books, and in the narration of Michael in the twelfth.
Page 255 - It is often the same in history, where the representations of common or even domestic things in clear, plain, and natural words, are frequently found to make the liveliest impression on the reader.
Page 104 - This said, the honest herdsman strode before; The musing monarch pauses at the door: The dog, whom Fate had granted to behold His lord, when twenty tedious years had roll'd, Takes a last look, and having seen him, dies; So closed for ever faithful Argus...
Page 257 - Turnus gives an eminent example, how far removed the style of them ought to be from such an excess of figures and ornaments : which indeed fits only that language of the Gods we have been speaking of, or that of a muse under inspiration.
Page 93 - Arm'd with his lance, the prince then pass'd the gate; Two dogs behind, a faithful guard, await; Pallas his form with grace divine improves : The gazing crowd admires him as he moves : Him, gathering round, the haughty suitors greet With semblance fair, but inward deep deceit.
Page 30 - Or from the fluent tongue produce the tale, Than when two friends, alone, in peaceful place Confer, and wines and cates the table grace ; But...
Page 103 - He knew his lord ; he knew, and strove to meet ; In vain he strove to crawl and kiss his feet ; Yet (all he could) his tail, his ears, his eyes, Salute his master, and confess his joys.
Page 255 - The question is, how far a poet, in pursuing the description or image of an action, can attach himself to little circumstances, without vulgarity or trifling? what particulars are proper, and enliven the image; or what are impertinent, and clog it? In this matter painting is to be consulted, and the whole regard had to those circumstances which contribute to form a full, and yet not a confused, idea of a thing.
Page 264 - Monsieur de la Motte in that of our great Author ; or to any of those whom she styles blind censurers, and blames for condemning what they did not understand.
Page 227 - And hung with rags that flutter'd in the air. Who could Ulysses in that form behold? Scorn'd by the young, forgotten by the old, Ill-used by all! to every wrong resign'd, Patient he suffer'd with a constant mind. 190 But when, arising in his wrath t...

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