For what Reason has this Passage been always praised by the Criticks? 'Tis because the Figure is in itself beautiful and pathetick, but they did not examine into the Congruity and Bottom of the Thought.
I return to my Paradox--That all these shining Strokes, to which they give the Name of Wit, never ought to be introduced into great Works made to instruct or to move; I'll even say they ought not to be found in Odes for Musick. Musick expresses Passions, Sentiments and Images: but what are the Concords that can be giv'n an Epigram? _Dryden_ was sometimes negligent, but he was always natural.
In a Sermon of Doctor _South_, where he speaks of Man's Rectitude and Freedom from Sin before the Fall, are seen these Words:
"We were not born crooked, we learnt these Windings and Turnings of the Serpent."
I remember to have heard this Passage admired by several People: but who does not see that the Motions, _viz._ the Windings and Turnings of the Serpent's Body are here confounded with those of its Heart: and that at best, 'tis but a mere Point and Pleasantry.
Certainly there's a great Impropriety in putting any kind of Smartness into Pieces of such a Nature as Dr. _South_'s; but what is still worse, we generally find these Smartnesses to be quite vague and superficial; they don't enter, but only play upon the Surface of the Soul.
Had a certain polite Author been a Cotemporary of the Doctor's, he'd have told him that
[Greek: Tên men Spoudhhên dichph teirein ghelôi, thyn de gelôa spoudhê.]
Humour is the only Test of Gravity; and Gravity of Humour. For a Subject which will not bear Raillery, is suspicious; and a Jest which will not bear a serious Examination, is certainly false Wit.
These Sports of the Imagination, these Finesses, these Conceits, these glittering Strokes, these Gaieties, these little cut Sentences, these ingenious Prodigalities, which are lavished away in our Times, agree with none but little Works. The Front of St _Paul_'s Church is simple and majestick. A Cabinet may with Propriety enough contain little Ornaments. Have as much Wit as you will, or you can, in a Madrigal, in little light Verses, in the Scene of a Comedy, which is neither passionate or simple, in a Compliment, in a little Story, in a Letter where you would be merry yourself to make your Friends so.