Page:The nature and elements of poetry, Stedman, 1892.djvu/57

Rh note of sadness and regret. This was simply his own highest range and emotion. His formula, however, will always be tenderly regarded by refined souls, for Beauty, pure and simple, is the alma mater of the artist; her unswerving devotee is absolved—many sins are forgiven to him who has loved her much.

But often a poet, great or small, has burnished some facet of the jewel we are setting. The Miltonic canon. Milton's declaration that poetry is "simple, sensuous, passionate," is a recognition of its most effective attributes. Lowell has sprinkled the whole subject with diamond-dust, and he, of all, perhaps could best have given a new report of its tricksy spirit. Arnold's phrase, "a criticism of Arnold's Delphic outgiving. life, under the conditions fixed for such a criticism by the laws of poetic truth and poetic