Poefiy. 229 



of distinction in the literary world, to be the real 

 works of Rowley, to whom they were attributed; 

 while a greater number of equal discernment and 

 acquaintance with the subject, decided that they 

 were forgeries, and that Chatterton himself was 

 the author * After much learned, ingenious, and 

 interesting discussion, the latter opinion seems to 

 be considered as, on the whole, the better supported, 

 and more probable. 



The poems in dispute possess a very extraor- 

 dinary character. The subjects are generally well 

 chosen and interesting; the plot, fable, and machi- 

 nery, show the author to have had a vigorous and 

 active imagination ; the delineation of character, 

 and the luxuriancy of description with which they 

 abound, evince an happy union of taste and genius; 

 and, different from all the poetical productions 

 which were written at the time when these are 

 asserted to have been composed, they are, in general, 

 conspicuous for harmony and elegance of versifi- 

 cation." Indeed, good judges have pronounced, 

 that some passages are inferior in none of the 

 essentials of poetry to the most finished works of 

 modern times. 



If the poems in question be attributed to Row- 

 ley, then we are presented with the singular spec- 

 tacle of one of the first English poets, both in time 

 and merit, sleeping in obscurity for more than 

 three hundred years, and being at last robbed of 

 his just reputation by the most wonderful literary 



v Among those who have contended that these poems were written by 

 Rowley, Dr. Milles, Dean of Exeter, and Mr. Bryant, are the most 

 conspicuous. The principal writers who have contended that Chatter- 

 ton is the real author, are Walpole, Tyrwhttt, Gray, Warton, 

 Mason, Croft, and Malone. 



u This harmony and elegance of versification appear under all the dis- 

 advantages of the antiquated diction adopted by the author. If Chat- 

 terton was the author of the poems, it was necessary to his purpose to 

 employ this diction ; and he is supposed to have become familiar with the 

 language of the fifteenth century, by perusing the works of Chaucer. 



