Page:The nature and elements of poetry, Stedman, 1892.djvu/287

Rh slowly and patiently, through ages and by evolution, one step leading to the next. I reassert, then, that "as far as the poet, the artist, is creative, he becomes a sharer of the divine imagination and power, and even of the divine responsibility." '''"Two Worlds." By R. W. Gilder.''' And I now find this assertion so well supported, that I cannot forbear quoting from "A Midsummer Meditation" in a recent volume of American poetry:—

We have seen that with the poet imagination is the essential key to expression. The Incentive. other thing of most worth is that which moves him to expression, the passion of his heart and soul. I close, therefore, by saying that without either of these elements we can have poetry which may seem to you tender, animating, enjoyable, and of value in its way, but without imagination there can be no poetry which is great. Possibly we can have great poetry which is devoid of passion, but great only through its tranquillizing power, through tones that calm and strengthen, yet do not exalt and thrill.