Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/544

 COATES KINNEY. [lS50-(0. vigor of style?" Without instituting an invidious comparison with other poets, we ask the reader to form his own opinion as well from the entire productions which will be given, as from the passages of " Keeuka, an American Legend," hereafter quoted, which are selected with special reference to this quality. Of this leading poem, " Keeuka," it may be said that it is throughout terse and strong, full of thought and genuine poetry. It has been criticised for the freedom with which the author makes use of obsolete words ; but every one who is moderately read, will understand them without difficulty. Antiquity itself is poetical, and obsolete words have often a place in poetry peculiarly charming. But we prefer the English lan- guage as it is now spoken ; though the more we study a strong production like " Kee- uka," the more our prejudice against the old words it contains gives way. For other illustrations of the quality of "conciseness and vigor," see "On! Right On ! " and " Mother of Glory." The latter is one of the best specimens of blank verse in the English language. It is beautiful as a poem, and noble for the lesson it teaches. A second indication of poetic excellence is the judgment of the high court of human- ity. The writer whose pieces have been most extensively published by the serial press, has the most favorable response in this behalf. Of Mr. Kinney's minor pieces, "Rain on the Roof," "Heroes of the Pen," "Emma Stuart," "Minnehaha," and "The End of the Rainbow," are known to almost every intelligent reader in the land. Of the poem, " Rain on the Roof," it may be said, that its popularity has equaled that of any other poem ever written in the West. Though artistically elaborate, yet to those who have the innate love of poetry, it seems not to have been labored at all, but to have come of itself, like a shower in April, or to have grown wild, like blos- soms in the woods. It, like all of Mr. Kinney's productions, will bear study, and im- prove on acquaintance. A third rule by which to estimate a poet's merits, is the supply of brief passages calculated to enforce a truth, or impress a noble sentiment, that he furnishes to the common speech of the people. This compliment is not often paid during the poet's lifetime. Perhaps Pope's "Essay on Man" furnishes more single lines, couplets, and quadruplets conveying solid ideas than any other poem ever written, making due allowance for its length. Shakspeare has thrown much noble speech into the common mouth. Mr. Kinney is yet young, and his works limited ; but he has fair prospect for future fame in this respect. A fourth test of poetical excellence is that richness of fancy and imagination which throws over the realities of existence, the truths and emotions of our being, the beau- tiful garniture of nature, the glorious radiance of the divine. For examples of this excellence in Mr. Kinney's verse, let the reader observe " Extracts from Keeuka," "The Eden of Wishes," and " Mabelle." Previously to our century, poetry has employed itself chiefly in embellishing the fan- cied Eden of the past, and in portraying the " human nature " of the present. But now and hereafter, not what man has been or is, but what he will be in the unfolding of his perfections must chiefly engage the lyre, and the harmonies of nature and of progress must find echo in the melody of verse.