Some poems are for holidays only. They are polished and sweet, but it is the sweetness of sugar, and not such as toil gives to sour bread. The breath with which the poet utters his verse must be that by which he lives.
Our taste is too delicate and particular. It says nay to the poet’s work, but never yea to his hope.
What would we not give for some great poem to read now, which would be in harmony with the scenery, – for if men read aright, methinks they would never read anything but poems. No history nor philosophy can supply their place.
A true account of the actual is the rarest poetry, for common sense always takes a hasty and superficial view.
The poet’s body even is not fed like other men’s, but he sometimes tastes the genuine nectar and ambrosia of the gods, and lives adivine life. By the healthful and invigorating thrills of inspiration his life is preserved to a serene old age.
The poet uses the results of science and philosophy, and generalizes their widest deductions.
Poetry is the mysticism of mankind.
The poet is he who can write some pure mythology today without the aid of posterity.
The great poem must have the stamp of greatness as well as its essence.
As long as there is satire, the poet is, as it were, particeps criminis.
Much of our poetry has the very best manners, but no character.
We are all of us Apollos serving some Admetus.
I know very well what Goethe meant when he said that he never had a chagrin but he made a poem out of it. I have altogether too much patience of this kind.
The poet who walks by moonlight is conscious of a tide in his thought which is to be referred to lunar influence.
The poet will maintain serenity in spite of all disappointments. He is expected to preserve an unconcerned and healthy outlook over the world, while he lives.
Exaggerated history is poetry, and truth referred to a new standard.
The poet is blithe and cheery ever, and as well as nature.
The science of Humboldt is one thing, poetry is another thing. The poet to-day, notwithstanding all the discoveries of science, and the accumulated learning of mankind, enjoys no advantage over Homer.
If the alternative is to keep all just men in prison, or give up war and slavery, the State will not hesitate which to choose.
Undoubtedly, in the most brilliant successes, the first rank is always sacrificed.