Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets: With Critical Observations on Their Works, Volume 3 |
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Page 12
... common method of all coun- terfeits in Wit , as well as in Physic , to begin with warning us of others ' Cheats , in order to make ye more Way for their own . But if ever this Essay be thought worth a second edition , I shall be very ...
... common method of all coun- terfeits in Wit , as well as in Physic , to begin with warning us of others ' Cheats , in order to make ye more Way for their own . But if ever this Essay be thought worth a second edition , I shall be very ...
Page 28
... common readers . Eustathius was therefore necessarily consulted . To read Eus- tathius , of whose work there was then no Latin version , I sus- pect Pope , if he had been willing , not to have been able ; 68 67 My copy [ of Chapman's ...
... common readers . Eustathius was therefore necessarily consulted . To read Eus- tathius , of whose work there was then no Latin version , I sus- pect Pope , if he had been willing , not to have been able ; 68 67 My copy [ of Chapman's ...
Page 43
... common friend . When Addison's opinion was asked , he declared the versions to be both good , but Tickell's the best that had ever been written ; and sometimes said that they were both good , but that Tickell had more of Homer . ' 91 6 ...
... common friend . When Addison's opinion was asked , he declared the versions to be both good , but Tickell's the best that had ever been written ; and sometimes said that they were both good , but that Tickell had more of Homer . ' 91 6 ...
Page 54
... common readers . Many of the allusions required illustration ; the names were often expressed only by the initial and final letters , and , if they had been printed at length , were such as few had known or recollected . The subject ...
... common readers . Many of the allusions required illustration ; the names were often expressed only by the initial and final letters , and , if they had been printed at length , were such as few had known or recollected . The subject ...
Page 55
... common newspapers ( in most of which they had some property , as being hired writers ) were filled with the most abusive falsehoods and scurrilities they could possibly devise ; a liberty no way to be wondered at in those people , and ...
... common newspapers ( in most of which they had some property , as being hired writers ) were filled with the most abusive falsehoods and scurrilities they could possibly devise ; a liberty no way to be wondered at in those people , and ...
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Common terms and phrases
Addison afterwards appeared beauty believe Broome called character common considered continued conversation copy criticism death desire died Dryden edition English Essay excellence expected father favour four friendship gave give given Gray hand History honour hope hundred Italy John Johnson kind King known Lady late learning least letter lines lived London Lord Lyttelton manner March mean mentioned mind nature never Night observed once opinion original Oxford particular passed perhaps person pleased pleasure poem poet poetical poetry Pope Pope's Post 8vo praise present printed published reader reason received Remarks says seems sent sometimes soon supposed Swift tell things Thomson thought tion told translation true verses Vols volume whole wish write written wrote Young
Popular passages
Page 36 - As when the moon, refulgent lamp of night, O'er Heaven's clear azure spreads her sacred light, When not a breath disturbs the deep serene, And not a cloud o'ercasts the solemn scene ; Around her throne the vivid planets roll, And stars unnumber'd gild the glowing pole, O'er the dark trees a yellower verdure shed, And tip with silver every mountain's head ; Then shine the vales, the rocks in prospect rise, A flood of glory bursts from all the skies : The conscious swains, rejoicing in the sight, Eye...
Page 37 - And lighten glimmering Xanthus with their rays; The long reflections of the distant fires Gleam on the walls, and tremble on the spires. A thousand piles the dusky horrors gild, And shoot a shady lustre o'er the field. Full fifty guards each flaming pile attend, Whose umber'd arms by fits thick flashes send ; Loud neigh the coursers o'er their heaps of corn, And ardent warriors wait the rising morn.
Page 417 - In the character of his Elegy I rejoice to concur with the common reader; for by the common sense of readers uncorrupted with literary prejudices, after all the refinements of subtilty and the dogmatism of learning, must be finally decided all claim to poetical honours.
Page 144 - Statesman, yet friend to truth ! of soul sincere, In action faithful, and in honour clear ; Who broke no promise, served no private end, Who gain'd no title, and who lost no friend ; Ennobled by himself, by all approved, And praised, unenvied, by the muse he loved,
Page 410 - Perhaps he was the most learned man in Europe. He was equally acquainted with the elegant and profound parts of science, and that not superficially but thoroughly. He knew every branch of history, both natural and civil; had read all the original historians of England, France, and Italy; and was a great antiquarian. Criticism, metaphysics, morals, politics, made a principal part of his study; voyages and travels of all sorts were his favourite amusements ; and he had a fine taste in painting, prints,...
Page 352 - Why all this toil for triumphs of an hour ? What though we wade in wealth, or soar in fame ? Earth's highest station ends in, " Here he lies," And " Dust to dust
Page 415 - To select a singular event, and swell it to a giant's bulk by fabulous appendages of spectres and predictions, has little difficulty; for he that forsakes the probable may always find the marvellous. And it has little use; we are affected only as we believe; we are improved only as we find something to be imitated or declined. I do not see that "The Bard" promotes any truth, moral or political.
Page 345 - For letting down the golden chain from high, He drew his audience upward to the sky...
Page 349 - I have long wondered, that more suitable notice of your great merit hath not been taken by persons in power. But how to remedy the omission I see not. No encouragement hath ever been given me to mention things of this nature to his Majesty. And therefore, in all likelihood, the only consequence of doing it would be weakening the little influence which else I may possibly have on some other occasions. Your fortune and your reputation set you above the need of advancement; and your sentiments above...
Page 44 - Gildon wrote a thing about Wycherley, in which he had abused both me and my relations very grossly. Lord Warwick himself told me one day, that it was in vain for me to endeavour to be well with Mr. Addison; that his jealous temper would never admit of a settled friendship between us; and, to convince me of what he had said, assured me, that Addison had encouraged Gildon to publish those scandals, and had given him ten 4 guineas after they were published.