NATURE AND THE POETS. 129 



definite meanings and laws, and a storehouse of 

 powers and economies ; but to the poet the meaning 

 is what he pleases to make it, what it provokes in his 

 own soul. To the man of science it is thus and so, 

 and not otherwise ; but the poet touches and goes, 

 and uses nature as a garment which he puts off and 

 on. Hence, the scientific reading or interpretation of 

 nature is the only real one. Says the Soothsayer to 

 " Antony and Cleopatra " : 



" In Nature's infinite book of secresy a little do I read." 



This is science bowed and reverent, and speaking 

 through a great poet. The poet himself does not so 

 much read in Nature's book though he does this, 

 too as write his own thoughts there ; Nature reads 

 him, she is the page and he the type, and she takes 

 the impression he gives. Of course the poet uses the 

 truths of nature also, and he establishes his right to 

 them by bringing them home to us with a new and 

 peculiar force a quickening or kindling force. 

 What science gives is melted in the fervent heat of 

 the poet's passion, and comes back to us supple 

 tnented by his quality and genius. He gives mort 

 fchan he takes, always. 

 I 



