Stories from the Italian Poets: with Lives of the Writers, Volume 1 by Leigh Hunt
page 54 of 336 (16%)
page 54 of 336 (16%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
go by, "like a lion on his watch"--his blasphemer, Capaneus, lying in
unconquered rage and sullenness under an eternal rain of flakes of fire (human precursor of Milton's Satan)--his aspect of Paradise, "as if the universe had smiled"--his inhabitants of the whole planet Saturn crying out _so loud_, in accordance with the anti-papal indignation of Saint Pietro Damiano, that the poet, though among them, _could not hear what they said_--and the blushing eclipse, like red clouds at sunset, which takes place at the apostle Peter's denunciation of the sanguinary filth of the court of Rome--all these sublimities, and many more, make us not know whether to be more astonished at the greatness of the poet or the raging littleness of the man. Grievous is it to be forced to bring two such opposites together; and I wish, for the honour and glory of poetry, I did not feel compelled to do so. But the swarthy Florentine had not the healthy temperament of his brethren, and he fell upon evil times. Compared with Homer and Shakspeare, his very intensity seems only superior to theirs from an excess of the morbid; and he is inferior to both in other sovereign qualities of poetry--to the one, in giving you the healthiest general impression of nature itself--to Shakspeare, in boundless universality--to most great poets, in thorough harmony and delightfulness. He wanted (generally speaking) the music of a happy and a happy-making disposition. Homer, from his large vital bosom, breathes like a broad fresh air over the world, amidst alternate storm and sunshine, making you aware that there is rough work to be faced, but also activity and beauty to be enjoyed. The feeling of health and strength is predominant. Life laughs at death itself, or meets it with a noble confidence--is not taught to dread it as a malignant goblin. Shakspeare has all the smiles as well as tears of nature, and discerns the "soul of goodness in things evil." He is comedy as well as tragedy--the entire man in all his qualities, moods, and experiences; and he beautifies all. And both those truly divine poets make nature |
|