1918] on The Romantic Revival 265 



Edmund Burke ? Every playgoer is pleased when the " School for 

 Scandal " is put on the stage. We take an increasing interest in 

 Dr. Johnson's table-talk. AVe have enthroned in our spiritual 

 imagination both John and Charles Wesley ; and a great and vener- 

 able statesman of our own day dedicated a considerable portion of 

 his life to editing and commenting on the works of a great 18th 

 Century divine, Bishop Butler. 



The century had its weaknesses. It formed theories, and it rode 

 its theories to death. It had its heroes, and it sought to raise its 

 heroes to heaven. It may have even worshipped those who were no 

 gods. We may grant the absurdities of the century. It loved the 

 heroic couplet ; and for this I hope we shall not blame it. It is a 

 noble vehicle of poetic expression ; but we may wonder — and if we 

 are fretful we shall be angry — when we hear Atterbury urging Pope 

 to take up Milton's " Samson Agonistes " and improve it, and naively 

 suggesting that it is really worth while. " Some time or other I wish 

 you would review and polish that piece ... It deserves your care, 

 and is capable of being improved with little trouble into a perfect 

 model and standard of tragic poetry." 



We can understand a revolt against the tyranny of the heroic 

 couplet, when William Hamilton (author of the " Braes o' Yarrow," 

 1704-1754) takes "Hamlet" in hand and gives us the following, we 

 suppose as an improved version of the soliloquy : — 



" My anxious soul is tore with doubtful strife, 

 And hangs suspended betwixt death and life ; 

 Life ! Death ! dread objects of mankind's debate I 

 Whether superior to the shocks of fate, 

 To bear its fiercest ills with steadfast mind, 

 To Nature's order piously resigned, 

 Or, with magnanimous or brave disdain, 

 Return her back the injurious gift again." 



But these follies were not shared by the greater men. They 

 might have their preferences and their own methods ; but they did 

 not fall under the yoke of bondage, or believe that a man can be 

 great by rule, or even great without having a spirit above rule. 

 Pope, in one sense the cheftain of his school, perceives this clearly 

 enough, and gives it utterance : — 



" Some beauties yet no Precepts can declare, 

 For there's a happiness as well as care. 

 Music resembles poetry, in each 

 Are nameless graces which no methods teach. 

 And which a master-hand alone can reach, 

 If, where the rules not far enough extend, 

 (Since rules were made but to promote their end). 

 Some lucky Licence answer to the full 

 Th' intent propos'd, that licence is a rule. 

 Thus Pegasus, a nearer way to take 

 May boldly deviate from the common track. 

 From vulgar bounds the brave disorder part 

 And snatch a grace beyond the reach of art." 



