ON THE USE OF NEW AND OLD WORDS IN POETRY.
While with false pride, and narrow jealousy, Numbers reject each new expression, won, Perchance, from language richer than our own, O! with glad welcome may the POET see Extension's golden vantage! the decree Each way exclusive, scorn, and re-enthrone The obsolete, if strength, or grace of tone Or imagery await it, with a free, And liberal daring!--For the Critic Train, Whose eyes severe our verbal stores review, Let the firm Bard require that they explain Their _cause_ of censure; then in balance true Weigh it; but smile at the objections vain Of sickly Spirits, hating _for they do_[1]!
1: The particle _for_ is used in the same sense with _because_, by Shakespear, and Beaumont and Fletcher.
“But she, and I, were Creatures innocent, Lov'd _for_ we _did_.” BEA. and FLE. TWO NOBLE KINSMEN.
“----Nor must you think I will your serious and great business scant _For_ she is with me.” OTHELLO.
“They're jealous _for_ they're jealous.” OTHELLO.
In every breast Affection fires, there dwells A secret consciousness to what degree They are themselves belov'd.--We hourly see Th' involuntary proof, that either quells, Or ought to quell false hopes,--or sets us free From pain'd distrust;--but, O, the misery! Weak Self-Delusion timidly repels The lights obtrusive--shrinks from all that tells Unwelcome truths, and vainly seeks repose For startled Fondness, in the opiate balm, Of kind profession, tho', perchance, it flows To hush Complaint--O! in Belief's clear calm, Or 'mid the lurid clouds of Doubt, we find LOVE rise the Sun, or Comet of the Mind.
Hope comes to _Youth_, gliding thro' azure skies With amaranth crown:--her full robe, snowy white, Floats on the gale, and our exulting sight Marks it afar.--From _waning_ Life she flies, Wrapt in a mist, covering her starry eyes With her fair hand.--But now, in floods of light, She meets thee, SYLVIA, and with glances, bright As lucid streams, when Spring's clear mornings rise. From Hymen's kindling torch, a yellow ray The shining texture of her spotless vest Gilds;--and the Month that gives the early day The scent odōrous[1], and the carol blest, Pride of the rising Year, enamour'd MAY, Paints its redundant folds with florets gay.