John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Page 324
| Alexander Pope. (1688–1744) (continued) |
| 3489 |
| Such labour’d nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th’ unlearn’d and make the learned smile. |
| Essay on Criticism. Part ii. Line 126. |
| 3490 |
| In words, as fashions, the same rule will hold, Alike fantastic if too new or old: Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside. |
| Essay on Criticism. Part ii. Line 133. |
| 3491 |
| Some to church repair, Not for the doctrine, but the music there. These equal syllables alone require, Though oft the ear the open vowels tire; While expletives their feeble aid to join, And ten low words oft creep in one dull line. |
| Essay on Criticism. Part ii. Line 142. |
| 3492 |
| A needless Alexandrine ends the song, That like a wounded snake drags its slow length along. |
| Essay on Criticism. Part ii. Line 156. |
| 3493 |
| True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, As those move easiest who have learn’d to dance. ’T is not enough no harshness gives offence,— The sound must seem an echo to the sense. |
| Essay on Criticism. Part ii. Line 162. |
| 3494 |
| Soft is the strain when zephyr gently blows, And the smooth stream in smoother numbers flows; But when loud surges lash the sounding shore, The hoarse rough verse should like the torrent roar. When Ajax strives some rock’s vast weight to throw, The line too labours, and the words move slow: Not so when swift Camilla scours the plain, Flies o’er th’ unbending corn, and skims along the main. |
| Essay on Criticism. Part ii. Line 166. |
| 3495 |
| Yet let not each gay turn thy rapture move; For fools admire, but men of sense approve. |
| Essay on Criticism. Part ii. Line 190. |
| 3496 |
| But let a lord once own the happy lines, How the wit brightens! how the style refines! |
| Essay on Criticism. Part ii. Line 220. |
| 3497 |
| Envy will merit as its shade pursue, But like a shadow proves the substance true. |
| Essay on Criticism. Part ii. Line 266. |