20 POETRY. 



Questions. — 1. What are the two significations of the word taste ^ 

 2. What does intellectual taste discern ? 3. How may a thorough 

 good taste be considered ? 4. What effect have exercise and atten- 

 tion upon taste ? 5. What examples of this are given P 6. What is 

 said of sensual pleasures ? 7. Of the pleasures of taste? 



LESSON 11. 



Poetry. 



The object of the philosopher is to inform and enlighten 

 mankind ; that of the orator, to acquire an ascendant over 

 the will of others, by bending to his own purposes their judg- 

 ments, their imaginations, and their passions : but the pri- 

 mary and the distinguishing aim of the poet is to jjlease ; and 

 the principal resource which he possesses for this purpose, 

 is by addressing the imagination. 



In poetry, we perceive every where what Akenside calls 



"The charm, 

 That searchless nature o'er the sense of man 

 Diffuses, — to behold, in lifeless tilings 

 The inexpressive semblance of himself, 

 Of thought and passion." 



The zephyrs laugli, — the sky smiles, — the forest frowns, 

 — the storm and the surge contend together, — the solitary 

 place not merely blossoms like the rose, but it is glad. AU 

 nature becomes animated. The poetic genius, like that 

 soul of the world, by which the early philosophers accounted 

 for all earthly changes, breathes its own spirit into every 

 thing surrounding it. 



The world is full of poetry — the air 

 Is living with its spirit ; and the waves 

 Dance to the music of its melodies. 

 And sparkle in its brightness — earth is veiled, 

 And mantled with its beauty ; and the walls, 

 That close the universe, with crystal, in, 

 Are eloquent with voices, that proclaim 

 The unseen glories of immensity. 



