Specimens of Literary Resemblance: In the Works of Pope, Gray, and Other Celebrated Writers; with Critical Observations: in a Series of Letters

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G. Wilkie, 1801 - Imitation (in literature) - 127 pages

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Page 103 - Oh ! lyre divine, what daring fpirit Wakes thee now ? though he inherit Nor the pride, nor ample pinion, That the Theban eagle bear, Sailing with fupreme dominion Through the azure deep of air...
Page 102 - Ego apis Matinae More modoque Grata carpentis thyma per laborem Plurimum circa nemus uvidique Tiburis ripas operosa parvus Carmina fingo.
Page 4 - Created half to rise, and half to fall: Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all; Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurl'd; The glory jest, and riddle of the world!
Page 17 - ... of poetry, by the other to the vicissitudes of human affairs, with especial reference to political revolutions. It is conducted by both, first in a course of placid serenity, then in torrents of rapid impetuosity, and marked at the close by the same striking and impressive consequence— " The rocks and nodding groves rebellow to the roar ;" very nearly a verbal translation of the Latin KM, " Non sine montium Clamore, vieinaeque sylvz.
Page 106 - Pallas guarded through the dreadful field ; Might darts be bid to turn their points away, And swords around him innocently play; The war's whole art with wonder had he seen, And counted heroes where he counted men. So fought each host, with thirst of glory fired, And crowds on crowds triumphantly expired.
Page 14 - Ceres' golden reign : Now rolling down the fteep amain, Headlong, impetuous, fee it pour : The rocks and nodding groves rebellow to the roar.
Page 126 - The fpirit of the original is as juftly conceived in Mr. Pope's Note, as it is unhappily mifreprefented in his Tranflation ; and both together produce the following contradictory medley ; " Hector ftays not to reply to his brother, but runs away with the challenge immediately, with fteps majeftically flow.
Page 93 - Refulgent gliding o'er the sable deeps. Between where Samos wide his forests spreads, And rocky Imbrus lifts its pointed heads, Down plung'd the maid ; (the parted waves resound ;) 105 She plung'd, and instant shot the dark profound.
Page 11 - And more than echoes talk along the walls. Here, as I watch'd the dying lamps around, From yonder shrine I heard a hollow sound. Come, sister, come! (it said, or seem'd to say) Thy place is here, sad sister, come away ! Once like thyself, I trembled, wept, and pray'd, Love's victim then, tho...
Page 122 - Appearances, it must be confessed, wear a very suspicious aspect; but what are appearances, when weighed against his Lordship's observations ? " Ibid. p. 33. " That I may not continue worse in your esteem than I deserve, give me leave to tell you that I am no plagiary from your father. This is a point of honour, in which I am particularly delicate. I will venture to boast again to you, that I believe no author was ever more averse to take to himself anything, that belonged to another.

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