Prefaces,Biographical and Critical to the Works of the English Poets

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Página 8 - ... a passive acquiescence in popular traditions. He loved fairies, genii, giants, and monsters ; he delighted to rove through the meanders of inchantment, to gaze on the magnificence of golden palaces, to repose by the water-falls of Elysian gardens.
Página 37 - The poet leads us through the appearances of things as they are successively varied by the vicissitudes of the year, and imparts to us so much of his own enthusiasm that our thoughts expand with his imagery and kindle with his sentiments.
Página 6 - By degrees I gained his confidence ; and one day was admitted to him when he was immured by a bailiff that was prowling in the street. On this occasion recourse was had to the booksellers, who, on the credit of a translation of Aristotle's Poetics, which he engaged to write with a large commentary, advanced as much money as enabled him to escape into the country. He showed me the guineas safe in his hand.
Página 77 - Bastard, he laments in a very affecting manner : — No Mother's care Shielded my infant innocence with prayer ; No Father's guardian hand my youth maintain'd, Call'd forth my virtues, or from vice restrain'd.
Página 38 - The great defect of the Seasons is want of method; but for this I know not that there was any remedy. Of many appearances subsisting all at once, no rule can be given why one should be mentioned before another ; yet the memory wants the help of order, and the curiosity is not excited by suspense or expectation.
Página 37 - His descriptions of extended scenes and general effects bring before us the whole magnificence of Nature, whether pleasing or dreadful. The gaiety of Spring, the splendour of Summer, the tranquillity of Autumn, and the horror of Winter take in their turns possession of the mind.
Página 34 - ... but, said Savage, he knows not any love but that of the sex; he was perhaps never in cold water in his life; and he indulges himself in all the luxury that comes within his reach.
Página 14 - The approaches of this dreadful malady he began to feel soon after his uncle's death ; and, with the usual weakness of men so diseased, eagerly snatched that temporary relief with which the table and the bottle flatter and seduce.
Página 4 - He now (about 1744) came to London a literary adventurer, with many projects in his head, and very little money in his pocket.

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