2 Poetry. [Chap. XX. . 



nour to modern genius, and to merit ^ respectful 

 consideration. 



The poetic diction and versification of several 

 modern languages have been much enriched and 

 refined during the period under review. Of these 

 improvements it may be proper to take some brief 

 notice, before we proceed to consider the parti- 

 cular specimens of poetic genius which belong to 

 this age. 



During the century in question, English versifi- 

 cation has been greatly improved. Though Dry- 

 den, at the close of the preceding century, had 

 done much towards the promotion of this object j 

 yet the style of English poetry was left by him in 

 an irregular, harsh, and incorrect state. He was 

 succeeded by Mr. Pope, whose successful exertions 

 to polish, refme,.and regulate the language of our 

 poetry, are well knov*^n*. If Dryden displayed 

 more vigour of genius and more sublimity of con- 

 cej)tion than Pope, the latter undoubtedly exhibits 

 a degree of correctness and elegance of dictionj 

 and of harmony and sweetness of numbers, which 

 had never been equalled by any preceding poet, 

 and which have never been exceeded since his 

 time. " New sentiments, and new images," says 

 a great critic, " others may produce ; but to at- 

 tempt any further improvement of versification 

 will be dangerous. Art and diligence have now 



* A frie«d of learaing and taste, on reading what is said of 

 the comparative merits of these tw(> great English poets, madQ 

 tjie following remark : " Dryden, in my opinion, did more to 

 improve English versification than Pope : the interval is wider 

 between Dryden and the best of his predecessors, than between 

 Dryden and Pope.'-' 



