1831 .J Oxford ; a Poem. 419 



The " reach of earth" we can comprehend ; but what the " roar of 

 time" means, we are wholly at a loss to conceive. Possibly Mr. Mont- 

 gomery, with that daring originality of personification which so emi- 

 nently distinguishes him, intends to imply that time is a wild beast, with 

 the lungs of a lion, and the roar of a Bengal tiger ; or, peradventure, 

 that he is like Bottom the weaver, who could "roar you like any 

 nightingale." If it do not imply something of this sort, the metaphor 

 has not the ghost of a meaning. 



" If then from Intellect alone arise 

 The noblest worth a nation's heart can prize, 

 In towery dimness, gothic, vast, and grand, 

 Behold her palaces of learning stand." 



The consecutive reasoning of this passage is curious. If the noblest 

 worth of a nation arises from intellect, then it follows, as a matter of 

 course, that her palaces of learning are to stand in towery dimness ! 

 What monstrous trash ! The poet goes on to inform us and the infor- 

 mation is strikingly important that it was evening when he first saw 

 the spires of Oxford, and that he was much struck with the spectacle. 

 We quote his own words : 



" When day was dying into sunset glow, 

 I first beheld them in their beauteous show, 

 The massy glory of each joyous pile, 

 And thought how noble is our native isle !" 



Indeed ! What profound philosophic reflection ! How worthy the 

 intellect of the biographer of " Satan!" After refusing, in the most decided 

 manner, " to take a kingdom for the tear he sheds," in recollection of 

 deceased Oxonians, Mr. Montgomery puts an abrupt end to his medi- 

 tations as follows : 



" From ancient lore see modern learning rise 



The last we honour, but the first we prize" 



This is clearly a distinction without a difference a spirited, uncompro- 

 mising sacrifice of sense to sound. Why modern learning should be 

 honoured, and ancient lore only prized, it surpasses our limited under- 

 standing to discover. Possibly, our poet's friend and critic, Mr. Clark- 

 son, can help us to a solution of the difficulty 



" Another charge let Alma Mater own 

 By frequent sages on her wisdom thrown ; 

 Alike one standard for the great and small 

 Her laws decree, by which she judges all ; 

 Hence in one mould must oft confound at once 

 The daring thinker with the plodding dunce ; 

 The soaring Mind must sink into a plan, 

 Forget her wings, and crawl where Dulness can ; 

 Those bolder traits, original and bright, 

 Fade into dimness when they lose the light 

 Of open, free, and self-created day, 

 Where all the tints of character can play ; 

 While creeping plodders, who have never bred 

 One single fancy to refresh the head, 

 But toiled contented o'er a menial ground 

 Where Commonplace pursues her petty round, 

 With smirking valor meet their judgment day, 

 When talent melts in nervous gloom away." 

 3 H 2 



