It exhibits stronger
powers of imagination, more harmony of numbers, and a greater
knowledge of the world, than any other of this poet's works; and
it is probable, if our country were called upon to show a
specimen of their genius to foreigners, this would be the work
here fixed upon.
THE HERMIT.
This poem is held in just esteem, the versification being
chaste, and tolerably harmonious, and the story told with
perspicuity and conciseness. It seems to have cost great labour,
both to Mr. Pope and Parnell himself, to bring it to this
perfection.* It may not be amiss to observe that the fable is
taken from one of Dr. Henry More's Dialogues.
[footnote] *Parnell's 'Poems', 1770, xxiv.
IL PENSEROSO.
I have heard a very judicious critic say, that he had an higher
idea of Milton's style in poetry, from the two following poems
['Il Penseroso' and 'l'Allegro'], than from his 'Paradise Lost'.
It is certain the imagination shown in them is correct and
strong. The introduction to both in irregular measure is
borrowed from the Italian, and hurts an English ear.
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