36 Whate'er might be his worthlessness or 40 The languages, especially the dead, The sciences, and most of all the ab struse, The arts, at least all such as could be said To be the most remote from common use, In all these he was much and deeply read: His classic studies made a little puzzle, Because of filthy loves of gods and goddesses, Who in the earlier ages raised a bustle, But never put on pantaloons or bodices; His reverend tutors had at times a tussle, And for their Æneids, Iliads, and Odysseys, Were forced to make an odd sort of apology, For Donna Inez dreaded the Mythology. Ovid's a rake, as half his verses show him, Anacreon's morals are a still worse sample, Catullus scarcely has a decent poem, I don't think Sappho's Ode a good example, Although Longinus tells us there is no hymn Where the sublime soars forth on wings more ample;1 But Virgil's songs are pure, except that horrid one Beginning with "Formosum Pastor Corydon." 2 Lucretius' irreligion is too strong For early stomachs, to prove wholesome food; I can't help thinking Juvenal was wrong, Although no doubt his real intent was good, For speaking out so plainly in his song, So much indeed as to be downright rude; And then what proper person can be partial To all those nauseous epigrams of Martial? Juan was taught from out the best edition, Expurgated by learned men, who place, 1 See his essay On the Sublime, 10. The ode referred to is entitled To a Loved One. 2 Handsome Shepherd Corydon.-Eclogues, 2. 53 For there one learns-'tis not for me to boast, Though I acquired-but I pass over that, As well as all the Greek I since have lost: I say that there's the place - but "Verbum sat,' 991 I think I pick'd up too, as well as most, I never married-but, I think, I know 200 My poem 's epic, and is meant to be Divided in twelve books; each book con- With love, and war, a heavy gale at sea, New characters; the episodes are three: A panoramic view of hell's in training, After the style of Virgil and of Homer, So that my name of Epic 's no misnomer. 204 Is, that myself, and several now in Seville, If ever I should condescend to prose, I'll write poetical commandments, which Shall supersede beyond all doubt all those That went before; in these I shall enrich My text with many things that no one knows, And carry precept to the highest pitch: I'll call the work "Longinus o'er a Bottle, Or, Every Poet his own Aristotle." 205 Thou shalt believe in Milton, Dryden, Pope; 201 All these things will be specified in time, 1 Prose poets like blank-verse, I'm fond of Good workmen never quarrel with their I've got new mythological machinery, And very handsome supernatural scenery. 202 There's only one slight difference between They so embellish, that 'tis quite a bore 203 If any person doubt it, I appeal To history, tradition, and to facts, To plays in five, and operas in three All these confirm my statement a good But that which more completely faith 1a word to the wise is sufficient Regarding the unities of time, place, and ac- handbook (literally, go with me) 208 Thou shalt not set up Wordsworth, Because the first is crazed beyond all hope, (But, doubtless, nobody will be so pert), 1 The Bluestockings, a name applied to a society 217 Ambition was my idol, which was broken 221 But for the present, gentle reader! and Before the shrines of Sorrow, and of Still gentler purchaser! the bard-that's Pleasure; 1 Must, with permission, shake you by the hand, And so "Your humble servant, and good-bye!"' We meet again, if we should understand Each other; and if not, I shall not try Your patience further than by this short sample "Twere well if others follow'd my example. 222 "Go, little book, from this my solitude! 44 45 Some lash'd them in their hammocks; some put on Their best clothes, as if going to a fair; Some cursed the day on which they saw the sun, And gnash'd their teeth, and howling, tore their hair; And others went on as they had begun, Getting the boats out, being well aware That a tight boat will live in a rough sea, Unless with breakers close beneath her lee. 1 Southey, Carmen Nuptiale,-The Lay of the Laureate, L'Envoy, 1-4. 2 The ship in which Juan and his tutor Pedrillo left Spain for Italy was wrecked in a storm. |