...only could not be credited but could not be imagined. Yet, if they frequently t lire w away their wit upon false conceits, they likewise sometimes struck...were far-fetched, they were often worth the carriage. Such is Johnson's explanation of the phrase and its meaning, and it must be admitted that the name...

...away their wit upon false con- '•'"". ceits, they likewise sometimes struck out unexpected tru1sn^;> if their conceits were far-fetched, they were often...To write on their plan it was at least necessary to 1 read and think. No man could be born a metaphysical poet, nor assume the dignity of a writer by descriptions...

...labour, directed by great abilities, is never wholly lost: if they frequently threw away their wit upon false conceits, they likewise sometimes struck...assume the dignity of a writer, by descriptions copied from descriptions, by imitations borrowed from imitations, by traditional imagery and hereditary similes,...

...never found it, wonders how he missed ; to wit of this kind the metaphysical poets have seldom risen. If their conceits were far-fetched, they were often...plan it was at least necessary to read and think. Men have been wise in very different modes ; but they have always laughed the same way. The artifice...

...conceits, they likewise sometimes struck out unexpected truth ; if their conceits were far fetched, they were often worth the carriage. To write on their...assume the dignity of a writer, by descriptions copied from descriptions, by imitations borrowed from imitations, by traditional imagery and hereditary similes,...

...labour, directed by great abilities, is never wholly lost; if they frequently threw away their wit upon false conceits, they likewise sometimes struck...plan it was at least necessary to read and think." It was a happy inspiration that led the "onlie begetters" of these two volumes to issue for the delectation...

...But to play with thoughts it is necessary to think. ' To write on their plan ', says Dr. Johnson, ' it was at least necessary to read and think. No man...assume the dignity of a writer, by descriptions copied from descriptions, by imitations borrowed from imitations, by traditional imagery and hereditary similes,...

...think. ' To write on their plan ', says Dr. Johnson, ' it was at least necessary to read and think, ^fo man could be born a metaphysical poet, nor assume the dignity of a writer, by descriptions copied from descriptions, by imitations borrowed from imitations, by traditional imagery and hereditary similes,...

...labour, directed by great abilities, is never wholly lost ; if they frequently threw away their wit upon false conceits, they likewise sometimes struck...assume the dignity of a writer, by descriptions copied from descriptions, by imitations borrowed from imitations, by traditional imagery, and hereditary similes,...

...great labour directed by great abilities is never wholly lost: if they frequently threw away their wit upon false conceits, they likewise sometimes struck...and think. No man could be born a metaphysical poet, i. Boston, Atheiueum Press, 1899; pp. xxiv, xxv. 242 DOCTOR JOHNSON nor assume the dignity of a writer...