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Sonnet 76. Lo! modern Critics emulously dare
THE CRITICS OF DOCTOR JOHNSON'S SCHOOL[1].
Lo! modern Critics emulously dare
Ape the great Despot; throw in pompous tone
And massy words their true no meaning down!
But while their envious eyes on Genius glare,
While axioms false assiduously they square
In arrogant antithesis, a frown
Lours on the brow of Justice, to disown
The kindred malice with its mimic air.
Spirit of Common Sense[2]! must we endure
The incrustation hard without the gem?
Find in th' Anana's rind the wilding sour,
The Oak's rough knots on every Osier's stem?
The dark contortions of the Sybil bear,
Whose inspirations never meet our ear?
1: In jargon, like the following, copied from a Review, are the works of Genius perpetually criticized in our public Prints: “Passion has not sufficient coolness to pause for metaphor, nor has metaphor ardor enough to keep pace with passion.”—Nothing can be less true. Metaphoric strength of expression will burst even from vulgar and illiterate minds when they are agitated. It is a natural effort of roused sensibility in every gradation, from unlettered simplicity to the highest refinement. Passion has no occasion to pause for metaphors, they rush upon the mind which it has heated. Similies, it is true, are not natural to strong emotion. They are the result of spirits that are calm, and at leisure to compare.
2: This idea is from a speech of Mr. Burke's, recorded by Boswell.
Anna Seward's other poems:
- Sonnet 58. Not the slow Hearse, where nod the sable plumes
- Sonnet 25. Fortunate Vale! exulting Hill! dear Plain!
- Sonnet 53. The knell of Whitehead tolls!—his cares are past
- Sonnet 52. Long has the pall of Midnight quench'd the scene
- Sonnet 41. Since dark December shrouds the transient day
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