"'Tis an Error as groundless as Vulgar, to think that there goes no more to the furnishing a Poet, than a Wind-mill in the Head, a Stream of Tattle, and convenient Confidence; whereas no Exercise of the Soul requires a more compos'd Thought, more sparingness of Words, more Modesty and Caution in the Undertaker."
— Tate, Nahum (c. 1652-1715)
Author
Work Title
Date
1680
Metaphor
"'Tis an Error as groundless as Vulgar, to think that there goes no more to the furnishing a Poet, than a Wind-mill in the Head, a Stream of Tattle, and convenient Confidence; whereas no Exercise of the Soul requires a more compos'd Thought, more sparingness of Words, more Modesty and Caution in the Undertaker."
Metaphor in Context
'Tis an Error as groundless as Vulgar, to think that there goes no more to the furnishing a Poet, than a Wind-mill in the Head, a Stream of Tattle, and convenient Confidence; whereas no Exercise of the Soul requires a more compos'd Thought, more sparingness of Words, more Modesty and Caution in the Undertaker. To make an ac|complisht Poet, Nature, in the first place must do her best; she must give him the Facul|ties of Soul in Perfection, a Copious Invention, a Comprehensive Memory, a Nimble Wit to re|pair to this Store-house for Materials on all oc|casions, a Strict Discerning Judgment to censure this Choice, to give it just Expression, and in short, to square and finish what was wrought off in the Heat of Fancy. Nor is even this e|nough to constitute a Poet. Nature will not do his Business, he must have the Addition of Arts and Learning, be familiar with the Sciences, acquainted with the Intrigues of Courts, the Customs and Constitutions of Nations, vers'd in their Languages, and read in the Histories of all Ages. His Knowledge must reach to the Policies of State, and descend even to Mecha|chanism; have insight into the meanest Myste|ries and Trades, because 'tis uncertain whi|ther his Subject will lead him; and he is to speak properly on all Occasions: nor are these Accomplishments above Humane Capacity, for they are every where conspicuous in the Iliad and the AEneid.
Categories
Provenance
Searching EEBO for "soliloquy"
Date of Entry
03/24/2004
Date of Review
04/02/2011
