^ 66 Poelry. [CHAP. XX. 



and interesting discussion, the latter opinion seems 

 to be considered as, on the whole, the better sup- 

 ported, and more probable. 



The poems in dispute possess a very extraordi- 

 nary character. The subjects are generally well 

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

 chinery, show the author to have had a vigorous 

 and active imagination ; the delineation of cha- 

 racter, and the luxuriancy of description with 

 which they abound, evince a 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 remarkable for harmony and ele- 

 gance of versification *. Indeed, good judges 

 have pronounced, fhat some passages arc 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 oiie 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 

 delusion that cvxt possessed mankind. If, on the 

 other hand, it be concluded that Chattorton was 



tended fhat Ch?-tterton is the real author, are Walpole, Tyrwhitt, 

 Gray, Warton, Mason, Croft, and Malone. 



* This harmony and elegance of versification appear under all 

 the disadvantages of the antiquated diction adopted by the author. 

 If Chattcrton was the author of the poems, it was necessary to 

 Tiis 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 CJiaucer. 



