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;
But Virgil's songs are pure, except that horrid one
Being with "Formosum Pastor Corydon."
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I am what libraries and librarians have made me, with little assistance from a professor of Greek and poets.
I am what libraries and librarians have made me, with little assistance from a professor of Greek and poets.
The poet and the politician have this in common: their greatness depends on the courage with which they face the read more
The poet and the politician have this in common: their greatness depends on the courage with which they face the challenges of life
Nations are born in the hearts of poets, they prosper and die in the hands of politicians.
Nations are born in the hearts of poets, they prosper and die in the hands of politicians.
As a poet and as a mathematician, he would reason well; as a mere mathematician, he could not have reasoned read more
As a poet and as a mathematician, he would reason well; as a mere mathematician, he could not have reasoned at all, and thus would have been at the mercy of the Prefect
Verse is not written, it is bled; Out of the poet's abstract head. Words drip the poem on the page; read more
Verse is not written, it is bled; Out of the poet's abstract head. Words drip the poem on the page; Out of his grief, delight and rage.
Who all in raptures their own works rehearse,
And drawl out measur'd prose, which they call verse.
Who all in raptures their own works rehearse,
And drawl out measur'd prose, which they call verse.
Most joyful let the Poet be;
It is through him that all men see.
Most joyful let the Poet be;
It is through him that all men see.
Poets are soldiers that liberate words from the steadfast possession of definition.
Poets are soldiers that liberate words from the steadfast possession of definition.
I have never yet known a poet who did not think himself
super-excellent.
[Lat., Adhue neminem cognovi poetam, read more
I have never yet known a poet who did not think himself
super-excellent.
[Lat., Adhue neminem cognovi poetam, qui sibi non optimus
videretur.]
