Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 2.djvu/92

 by false Criticks, not only in this Translation, but in many of my Original Poems; that I Latinize too much. 'Tis true, that when I find an English word significant and sounding, I neither borrow from the Latin or any other Lan­guage: But when I want at home, I must seek abroad.

If sounding Words are not of our growth and Manufacture, who shall hinder me to Import them from a Foreign Country? I carry not out the Treasure of the Nation, which is never to return: but what I bring from Italy, I spend in England: Here it remains, and here it cir­culates; for if the Coyn be good, it will pass from one hand to another. I Trade both with the Living and the Dead, for the enrichment of our Native Language. We have enough in England to supply our necessi­ty; but if we will have things of Magnificence and Splendour, we must get them by Commerce. Poetry requires Ornament, and that is not to be had from our Old Teuton Monosyllables; therefore if I find any Elegant Word in a Classick Author, I propose it to be Naturaliz'd, by using it my self: and if the Publick approves of it, the Bill passes. But every Man cannot distinguish betwixt Pedantry and Poetry: E­very Man therefore is not fit to innovate. Upon the whole matter, a Poet must first be certain that the Word he wou'd Introduce is Beautiful in the Latin; and is to consider, in the next place, whether it will agree with the English Idiom: After this, he ought to take the O­pinion of judicious Friends, such as are Learned in both Languages: And lastly, since no Man is infallible, let him use this License very sparingly; for if too many Foreign Words are pour'd in upon us, it looks as if they were design'd not to assist the Natives, but to con­quer them.

I am now drawing towards a Conclusion, and suspect your Lordship is very glad of it. But permit me