46 tenderness, imagination, and harmony, are regarded as genuine sources of poetical delight. The effect of this favorite composition is exactly such as the poet intended to produce; it first engages the heart with the simplicity of just and natural sorrow, and then proceeds to elevate the mind with magnificent images, ennobled by affectionate and devotional enthusiasm. The beauties of this pathetic and sublime monody are sufficiently obvious; but the reader who compares it with a poem on the same subject by Cleveland, once the popular rival of Milton, may derive pleasure from perceiving how infinitely our favorite poet has excelled, on this occasion, an eminent antagonist. Though we find no circumstances, that may ascertain the date of the Allegro and Pensoroso, it seems probable, that those two enchanting pictures of rural life, and of the diversified delights arising from a contemplative mind, were composed at Horton. It was, perhaps, in the same situation, so favorable to fancy, that Milton wrote the incomparable Latin poem addressed to his father. There are, indeed, some expressions in this performance, which may favor an opinion, that it ought to bear an earlier date; but it has such strength and manliness of sentiment, as incline me to suppose it written at this period; an idea that seems almost confirmed by the lines, that speak of his application to French and Italian, after the completion of his classical studies. Whatever date may be assigned to it, the composition deserves our particular regard, since, of all his poems, it does the highest honor to his heart. With what energy and tenderness is his filial gratitude expressed in the following graceful exordium: Nunc mea Pierios cupiam per pectora fontes Exiguum meditatur opus: nec novimus ipsi Respondere tuis, quamvis nec maxima possint O that Pieria's spring would thro' my breast All meaner themes renounc'd, my muse, on wings How elegant is the praise he bestows on the musical talents of his father, and how pleasing the exulting and affectionate spirit, with which he speaks of their social and kindred studies! Nec tu perge, precor, sacras contemnere Musas Nec vanas inopesque puta, quarum ipse peritus Munere, mille sonos numeros componis ad aptos, Doctus, Arionii merito sis nominis hæres. Nor thou persist, I pray thee, still to slight Now say! What wonder is it, if a son Of thine delight in verse; if so conjoin'd In social arts, and kindred studies sweet: Was Phoebus' choice; thou hast thy gift, and I To laws voluminous and ill observ'd; The poet seems to have had a prophetic view of the singular calumnies, that awaited his reputation, and to have anticipated his triumph, over all his adversaries, in the following magnanimous exclamation : Este procul vigiles curæ procul este querela ! |