166 LITEEABY VALUES 



A fine sample of eloquence in poetry is Browning's 

 " How they brought the Good News from Ghent to 

 Aix." Of its kind there is nothing in the language 

 to compare with it. One needs to read such a piece 

 occasionally as a moral sanitary measure ; it aerates 

 his emotions as a cataract does a creek. Scott's 

 highest excellence as a poet is his eloquence. The 

 same is true of Macaulay and of Campbell, though 

 the latter's " To the Eainbow " breathes the spirit 

 of true poetry. 



Among our own poets Halleck's " Marco Bozzaris " 

 thrills us with its fiery eloquence. Dr. Holmes's 

 " Old Ironsides " also is just what such a poem should 

 be, just what the occasion called for, a rare piece of 

 rhymed eloquence. 



Eloquence is so good, so refreshing, it is such a 

 noble and elevating excitement, that one would fain 

 have more of it, even in poetry. It is too rare and 

 precious a product to be valued lightly. 



Here is a brief example of Byron's eloquence : — 



*' There, where death's brief pang was quickest, 

 And the battle's -vrrecli lay thickest, 

 Strewed beneath the advancing banner 

 Of the eagles' burning crest, — 

 There with thunder-clouds to fan her 

 Victory beaming from her breast 1 

 While the broken line enlarging 

 Fell, or fled along the plain ; — 

 There be sure Murat was charging! 

 There he ne'er shall charge again! " 



This from Tennyson is of another order : — 



" Thy voice is heard through rolling drums 

 That beat to battle where he stands ; 

 Th3' face across his fancy comes. 

 And gives the battle to his hands: 



