Page:The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, Volume 2.djvu/379

 the midst of danger. The rejection and contempt of fiction is rational and manly.

It may be observed that the last line is imitated by Pope: Marlb'rough's exploits appear divinely bright— Rais'd of themselves their genuine charms they boast, And those, that paint them truest, praise them most. This Pope had in his thoughts; but, not knowing how to use what was not his own, he spoiled the thought when he had borrowed it: The well-sung woes shall soothe my pensive ghost; He best can paint them who shall feel them most. Martial exploits may be painted; perhaps woes may be painted; but they are surely not painted by being well-sung: it is not easy to paint in song, or to sing in colours.

No passage in the Campaign has been more often mentioned than the simile of the Angel, which is said in the Tatler to be "one of the noblest thoughts that ever entered into the heart of man," and is therefore worthy of attentive consideration. Let it be first enquired whether it Rh