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Show [ 46 ] The trembling Vvood-nymphs, as the tempefllowers, Lead the gay goddefs to their inn1ofl bowers ; Hang the mute lyre the laurel fhade beneath, And round her tetnples bind the myrtle wreath. -Now the light [wallow with her airy brood Skims the green meadow, and the dimpled flood ; 470 Loud fhrieks the lone thrufh frotn his leaflefs thorn, 4 7 5 Th' alarmed beetle founds his bugle horn; Each pendant fpider winds with fingers fine His ravel' d clue, and climbs along the line ; Gay Gnomes in glittering circles fland aloof Beneath a fpreading mufhroom' s fretted roof; Swift bees returning feek their waxen cells, And Sylphs cling quivering in the lily's bells. Through the frill air defcend the genial fhowers, And pearly rain-drops deck the laughing flowers. INTERLUDE. Bookft!ler. YOUR verfes, Mr. Botanifi, confiil: of pure deftription, I hope there is Jenfl in the notes. Poet. I am only a flower-painter, or .occafionally attempt a landfkip; and leave the human figure with the fubjeets of hifiory to abler artifis. B. It is well to know what fubjeCl:s are within the limits of your pencil; many have failed of fuccefs from the want of this [elfknowledge. But pray tell me, what is the eifential difference between Poetry and Profe ? is it folely the melody or meafure of the language? P. I think not folely; for fome profe has its melody, and even meafure. And good verfes, well fpoken in a language unknown to the hearer, are not eafily to be difiinguifhed from good profe. B. Is it the fublimity, beauty, or novelty of the fentiments? P. Not fo; for fublime fentiments are often better expreifed in profe. Thus when Warwick, in one of the plays of Shakefpear, is left wounded on the field after the lofs of the battle, and his friend fays to him, " 0, could you but fly!)) what can be more fublime than his anfwer, " Why then, I would not fly." No meafure of verfe, I imagine, could add dignity to this fentiment. |