Page:Tixall Poetry.djvu/43

 IX.In perusing these poems, or in forming a judgment of their merit, the candid reader will bear in mind, that they were not the compositions of professed poets and authors, of men of letters, and scholars, but that they were the occasional effusions of ladies and gentlemen, writing verses to occupy their leisure, and for their mutual entertainment: that they were never intended for publication, and probably never received the last corrections of their authors. For these poems, therefore, of the Astons and Thimelbyes, I am not unwilling to adopt the character which Pope has given of the poetry of Crashaw:—

"I take this poet to have writ like a gentleman, that is, at leisure hours, and more to keep out of idleness than to establish a reputation: so that nothing regular or just can be expected of him. All that regards design, form, fable, (which is the soul of poetry,) all that concerns exactness, or consent of parts, (which is the body,) will probably be wanting: only pretty conceptions, fine metaphors, glittering expressions, and something of a neat cast of verse (which are properly the dress, gems, or loose ornaments of poetry,) may be found in these verses. This is, indeed, the case of most other poetical writers of miscellanies: nor can it be well otherwise, since no man can be a true poet who writes for diversion only. These authors should be considered as versifiers and witty men, rather than as poets: and under this head will fall the thoughts, the expression, and the numbers. These are only the pleasing part of poetry, which may be judged of at a view, and comprehended all at once: and (to express myself like a painter) their colouring entertains the sight, but the lines and life of the picture are not to be inspected too narrowly."