Essays on Wit No. 2 by Joseph Warton;Richard Flecknoe
page 20 of 40 (50%)
page 20 of 40 (50%)
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He that cannot shine by a Thought will distinguish himself by a Word. This is their Reason for substituting Placid for Peaceful, Joyous for Joyful, Meandring for Winding; and a hundred more Affectations of the same kind. If they were to go on at this Rate, the Language of _Shakespear, Milton, Dryden, Addison_ and _Pope_, would soon become quite superannuated. And why avoid an Expression in use, to introduce one which says precisely the same Thing? A new Word is never pardonable, but when it is absolutely necessary, intelligible and sonorous; they are forc'd to make them in Physics: A new Discovery, or a new Machine demands a new Word. But do they make new Discoveries in the human Heart? Is there any other Greatness than that of _Shakespear_ and _Milton_? Are there any other Passions than those that have been handled by _Otway_ and _Dryden_? Is there any other Evangelic Moral than that of Dr. _Tillotson_? Those who accuse the _English_ Language of not being copious enough, do, in Truth, find a Sterility, but 'tis in themselves. _Rem Verba Sequuntur_. When one is thoroughly struck with an Idea, when a Man of Sense, fill'd with Warmth, is in full Possession of his Thought, it comes from him all ornamented with suitable Expressions, as _Minerva_ sprang out, compleatly arm'd, from the Head of _Jupiter_. In short, the Conclusion of all this is, that you must never seek for far-fetch'd Thoughts, Conceits or Expressions; and that the Art of all great Works, is to reason well, without making many Arguments; to paint accurately, without Painting all; to move, without always |
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