A Primer of Poetry
The primary requirements of poetic genius
| 1. An eye that can see 2. A heart that can feel 3. A will that can follow |
} | Nature |
The final intentions of pure poetry are an increase of:
1. Goodness.
2. Understanding.
3. Delight.
Yet when we consider the two foregoing propositions we must realize the three properties of a just imagination, namely:
1. What is to be.
2. What ought to be.
3. What might be.
To embody thought process in poetical language we must never lose sight of its indispensabilities:
1. Purity.
2. Copiousness.
3. Ease.
We must avoid:
1. The Mean.
2. The Obscure.
3. The Extravagant.
The things to be chiefly considered in poetical illustration are:
1. What shall be obviously seen.
2. What shall be instantly admired.
3. What shall be eminently characteristic.
Dignity has its place in poesy in the union of:
1. The true and wonderful.
2. The beautiful and wise.
3. Art and nature.
These afford the advantages of:
1. The praise of goodness.
2. The memory of the remarkable.
3. The invigoration of the affections.
Pure truth, pure language, pure conception give rise to poetry that is:
1. Thoroughly learned.
2. Thoroughly animated.
3. Thoroughly natural.
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