by extending the sense from one couplet to another with variety of
pauses. This he has attempted, but without success; his interrupted
lines are unpleasing, and his sense, as less distinct, is less
striking. He has altered the stanza of Spenser as a house is
altered by building another in its place of a different form. With
how little resemblance he has formed his new stanza to that of his
master these specimens will show:-


SPENSER.

"She flying fast from Heaven's fated face,
And from the world that her discovered wide,
Fled to the wasteful wilderness space,
From living eyes her open shame to hide,
And lurked in rocks and caves long unespied.
But that fair crew of knights, and Una fair,
Did in that castle afterwards abide,
To rest themselves, and weary powers repair,
Where store they found of all that dainty was and rare?"


PRIOR.

"To the close rock the frightened raven flies,
Soon as the rising eagle cuts the air;
The shaggy wolf unseen and trembling lies,
When the hoarse roar proclaims the lion near.
Ill-starred did we our forts and lines forsake,
To dare our British foes to open fight: