wagingwaruponVicesolelyonthegroundofherdeformityherdisproportionheranimositytothefitting，totheappropriate，totheharmoniousinaword，toBeauty。
　　AnimmortalinstinctdeepwithinthespiritofmanisthusplainlyasenseoftheBeautiful。Thisitiswhichadministerstohisdelightinthemanifoldforms，andsounds，andodorsandsentimentsamidwhichheexists。
　　Andjustasthelilyisrepeatedinthelake，ortheeyesofAmaryllisinthemirror，soisthemereoralorwrittenrepetitionoftheseforms，andsounds，andcolors，andodors，andsentimentsaduplicatesourceofde“
　　light。Butthismererepetitionisnotpoetry。Hewhoshallsimplysing，withhoweverglowingenthusiasm，orwithhowevervividatruthofdescription，ofthesights，andsounds，andodors，andcolors，andsentimentswhichgreet_him_incommonwithallmankindhe，Isay，hasyetfailedtoprovehisdivinetitle。Thereisstillasomethinginthedistancewhichhehasbeenunabletoattain。Wehavestillathirstunquenchable，toallaywhichhehasnotshownusthecrystalsprings。ThisthirstbelongstotheimmortalityofMan。Itisatonceaconsequenceandanindicationofhisperennialexistence。Itisthedesireofthemothforthestar。ItisnomereappreciationoftheBeautybeforeus，butawildefforttoreachtheBeautyabove。Inspiredbyanecstaticprescienceofthegloriesbeyondthegrave，westrugglebymultiformcombinationsamongthethingsandthoughtsofTimetoattainaportionofthatLovelinesswhoseveryelementsperhapsappertaintoeternityalone。AndthuswhenbyPoetry，orwhenbyMusic，themostentrancingofthepoeticmoods，wefindourselvesmeltedintotears，weweepthen，notastheAbbateGravinasupposes，throughexcessofpleasure，butthroughacertainpetulant，impatientsorrowatourinabilitytograspnow，wholly，hereonearth，atonceandforever，thosedivineandrapturousjoysofwhich_through’_thepoem，or_through_themusic，weattaintobutbriefandindeterminateglimpses。
　　ThestruggletoapprehendthesupernalLovelinessthisstruggle，onthepartofsoulsfittinglyconstitutedhasgiventotheworldall_that_whichittheworldhaseverbeenenabledatoncetounderstandand_tofeel_aspoetic。
　　ThePoeticSentiment，ofcourse，maydevelopitselfinvariousmodesinPainting，inSculpture，inArchitecture，intheDanceveryespeciallyinMusicandverypeculiarly，andwithawidefield，inthecompositionoftheLandscapeGarden。Ourpresenttheme，however，hasregardonlytoitsmanifestationinwords。Andhereletmespeakbrieflyonthetopicofrhythm。ContentingmyselfwiththecertaintythatMusic，initsvariousmodesofmetre，rhythm，andrhyme，isofsovastamomentinPoetryasnevertobewiselyrejectedissovitallyimportantanadjunct，thatheissimplysillywhodeclinesitsassistance，Iwillnotnowpausetomaintainitsabsoluteessentiality。ItisinMusicperhapsthatthesoulmostnearlyattainsthegreatendforwhich，wheninspiredbythePoeticSentiment，itstrugglesthecreationofsupernalBeauty。
　　It_may_be，indeed，thatherethissublimeendis，nowandthen，attainedin_fact。_Weareoftenmadetofeel，withashiveringdelight，thatfromanearthlyharparestrickennoteswhich_cannot_havebeenunfamiliartotheangels。AndthustherecanbelittledoubtthatintheunionofPoetrywithMusicinitspopularsense，weshallfindthewidestfieldforthePoeticdevelopment。TheoldBardsandMinnesingershadadvantageswhichwedonotpossessandThomasMoore，singinghisownsongs，was，inthemostlegitimatemanner，perfectingthemaspoems。
　　Torecapitulatethen：Iwoulddefine，inbrief，thePoetryofwordsas_TheRhythmicalCreationofBeauty。_ItssolearbiterisTaste。WiththeIntellectorwiththeConscienceithasonlycollateralrelations。
　　Unlessincidentally，ithasnoconcernwhatevereitherwithDutyorwithTruth。
　　Afewwords，however，inexplanation。_That_pleasurewhichisatoncethemostpure，themostelevating，andthemostintense，isderived，I
　　maintain，fromthecontemplationoftheBeautiful。InthecontemplationofBeautywealonefinditpossibletoattainthatpleasurableelevation，orexcitement_ofthesoul，_whichwerecognizeasthePoeticSentiment，andwhichissoeasilydistinguishedfromTruth，whichisthesatisfactionoftheReason，orfromPassion，whichistheexcitementoftheheart。ImakeBeauty，thereforeusingthewordasinclusiveofthesublimeImakeBeautytheprovinceofthepoem，simplybecauseitisanobviousruleofArtthateffectsshouldbemadetospringasdirectlyaspossiblefromtheircauses：nooneasyethavingbeenweakenoughtodenythatthepeculiarelevationinquestionisatleast_mostreadily_attainableinthepoem。Itbynomeansfollows，however，thattheincitementsofPassion’orthepreceptsofDuty，oreventhelessonsofTruth，maynotbeintroducedintoapoem，andwithadvantage；fortheymaysubserveincidentally，invariousways，thegeneralpurposesofthework：butthetrueartistwillalwayscontrivetotonethemdowninpropersubjectiontothat_Beauty_whichistheatmosphereandtherealessenceofthepoem。
　　IcannotbetterintroducethefewpoemswhichIshallpresentforyourconsideration，thanbythecitationoftheProemtoLongfellow’s“Waif“：
　　Thedayisdone，andthedarknessFallsfromthewingsofNight，AsafeatheriswafteddownwardFromanEagleinhisflight。
　　IseethelightsofthevillageGleamthroughtherainandthemist，Andafeelingofsadnesscomeso’erme，Thatmysoulcannotresist；
　　Afeelingofsadnessandlonging，Thatisnotakintopain，AndresemblessorrowonlyAsthemistresemblestherain。
　　Come，readtomesomepoem，Somesimpleandheartfeltlay，Thatshallsoothethisrestlessfeeling，Andbanishthethoughtsofday。
　　Notfromthegrandoldmasters，Notfromthebardssublime，WhosedistantfootstepsechoThroughthecorridorsofTime。
　　For，likestrainsofmartialmusic，TheirmightythoughtssuggestLife’sendlesstoilandendeavor；
　　Andto-nightIlongforrest。
　　Readfromsomehumblerpoet，Whosesongsgushedfromhisheart，Asshowersfromthecloudsofsummer，Ortearsfromtheeyelidsstart；
　　Whothroughlongdaysoflabor，Andnightsdevoidofease，StillheardinhissoulthemusicOfwonderfulmelodies。
　　SuchsongshavepowertoquietTherestlesspulseofcare，AndcomelikethebenedictionThatfollowsafterprayer。
　　ThenreadfromthetreasuredvolumeThepoemofthychoice，AndlendtotherhymeofthepoetThebeautyofthyvoice。
　　Andthenightshallbefilledwithmusic，AndthecaresthatinfestthedayShallfoldtheirtentsliketheArabs，Andassilentlystealaway。
　　Withnogreatrangeofimagination，theselineshavebeenjustlyadmiredfortheirdelicacyofexpression。Someoftheimagesareveryeffective。Nothingcanbebetterthan-
　　thebardssublime，WhosedistantfootstepsechoDownthecorridorsofTime。
　　Theideaofthelastquatrainisalsoveryeffective。Thepoemonthewhole，however，ischieflytobeadmiredforthegraceful_insouciance_ofitsmetre，sowellinaccordancewiththecharacterofthesentiments，andespeciallyforthe_ease_ofthegeneralmanner。This“ease“ornaturalness，inaliterarystyle，ithaslongbeenthefashiontoregardaseaseinappearancealoneasapointofreallydifficultattainment。
　　Butnotso：anaturalmannerisdifficultonlytohimwhoshouldnevermeddlewithittotheunnatural。Itisbuttheresultofwritingwiththeunderstanding，orwiththeinstinct，that_thetone，_incomposition，shouldalwaysbethatwhichthemassofmankindwouldadoptandmustperpetuallyvary，ofcourse，withtheoccasion。Theauthorwho，afterthefashionof“TheNorthAmericanReview。”shouldbeupon_all_occasionsmerely“quiet。”mustnecessarilyupon_many_occasionsbesimplysilly，orstupid；andhasnomorerighttobeconsidered“easy“or“natural“thanaCockneyexquisite，orthanthesleepingBeautyinthewaxworks。
　　AmongtheminorpoemsofBryant，nonehassomuchimpressedmeastheonewhichheentitles“June。”Iquoteonlyaportionofit：
　　There，throughthelong，longsummerhours，Thegoldenlightshouldlie，AndthickyoungherbsandgroupsofflowersStandintheirbeautyby。
　　TheorioleshouldbuildandtellHislove-tale，closebesidemycell；
　　TheidlebutterflyShouldresthimthere，andtherebeheardThehousewife-beeandhummingbird。
　　Andwhat，ifcheerfulshoutsatnoon，Come，fromthevillagesent，Orsongsofmaids，beneaththemoon，Withfairylaughterblent？
　　Andwhatif，intheeveninglight，BetrothedloverswalkinsightOfmylowmonument？
　　IwouldthelovelyscenearoundMightknownosaddersightnorsound。
　　Iknow，IknowIshouldnotseeTheseason’sgloriousshow，Norwoulditsbrightnessshineforme；
　　Noritswildmusicflow；
　　Butif，aroundmyplaceofsleep，ThefriendsIloveshouldcometoweep，Theymightnothastetogo。
　　Softairsandsong，andthelightandbloom，Shouldkeepthemlingeringbymytomb。
　　Thesetotheirsoften’dheartsshouldbearThethoughtsofwhathasbeen，AndspeakofonewhocannotshareThegladnessofthescene；
　　WhosepartinallthepompthatfillsThecircuitofthesummerhills，Isthathisgraveisgreen；
　　AnddeeplywouldtheirheartsrejoiceTohearagainhislivingvoice。
　　Therhythmicalflowhereisevenvoluptuousnothingcouldbemoremelodious。Thepoemhasalwaysaffectedmeinaremarkablemanner。Theintensemelancholywhichseemstowellup，perforce，tothesurfaceofallthepoet’scheerfulsayingsabouthisgrave，wefindthrillingustothesoulwhilethereisthetruestpoeticelevationinthethrill。Theimpressionleftisoneofapleasurablesadness。Andif，intheremainingcompositionswhichIshallintroducetoyou，therebemoreorlessofasimilartonealwaysapparent，letmeremindyouthathoworwhyweknownotthiscertaintaintofsadnessisinseparablyconnectedwithallthehighermanifestationsoftrueBeauty。Itis，nevertheless，AfeelingofsadnessandlongingThatisnotakintopain，AndresemblessorrowonlyAsthemistresemblestherain。
　　ThetaintofwhichIspeakisclearlyperceptibleeveninapoemsofullofbrilliancyandspiritas“TheHealth“ofEdwardCoatePinckney：
　　IfillthiscuptoonemadeupOflovelinessalone，Awoman，ofhergentlesexTheseemingparagon；
　　TowhomthebetterelementsAndkindlystarshavegivenAformsofairthat，liketheair，’Tislessofearththanheaven。
　　Hereverytoneismusic’sown，Likethoseofmorningbirds，AndsomethingmorethanmelodyDwellseverinherwords；
　　Thecoinageofherheartarethey，AndfromherlipseachflowsAsonemayseetheburden’dbeeForthissuefromtherose。
　　Affectionsareasthoughtstoher，Themeasuresofherhours；
　　Herfeelingshavetheflagrancy，Thefreshnessofyoungflowers；
　　Andlovelypassions，changingoft，Sofillher，sheappearsTheimageofthemselvesbyturns，
　　Theidolofpastyears！
　　OfherbrightfaceoneglancewilltraceApictureonthebrain，AndofhervoiceinechoingheartsAsoundmustlongremain；
　　Butmemory，suchasmineofher，Soverymuchendears，WhendeathisnighmylatestsighWillnotbelife’s，buthers。
　　Ifill’dthiscuptoonemadeupOflovelinessalone，Awoman，ofhergentlesexTheseemingparagon
　　Herhealth！andwouldonearththerestood，Somemoreofsuchaframe，Thatlifemightbeallpoetry，Andwearinessaname。
　　ItwasthemisfortuneofMr。Pinckneytohavebeenborntoofarsouth。
　　HadhebeenaNewEnglander，itisprobablethathewouldhavebeenrankedasthefirstofAmericanlyristsbythatmagnanimouscabalwhichhassolongcontrolledthedestiniesofAmericanLetters，inconductingthethingcalled“TheNorthAmericanReview。”Thepoemjustcitedisespeciallybeautiful；butthepoeticelevationwhichitinduceswemustreferchieflytooursympathyinthepoet’senthusiasm。Wepardonhishyperbolesfortheevidentearnestnesswithwhichtheyareuttered。
　　Itwasbynomeansmydesign，however，toexpatiateuponthe_merits_ofwhatIshouldreadyou。Thesewillnecessarilyspeakforthemselves。
　　Boccalini，inhis“AdvertisementsfromParnassus。”tellsusthatZoilusoncepresentedApolloaverycausticcriticismuponaveryadmirablebook：
　　whereuponthegodaskedhimforthebeautiesofthework。Herepliedthatheonlybusiedhimselfabouttheerrors。Onhearingthis，Apollo，handinghimasackofunwinnowedwheat，badehimpickout_allthechaff_forhisreward。
　　NowthisfableanswersverywellasahitatthecriticsbutIambynomeanssurethatthegodwasintheright。Iambynomeanscertainthatthetruelimitsofthecriticaldutyarenotgrosslymisunderstood。
　　Excellence，inapoemespecially，maybeconsideredinthelightofanaxiom，whichneedonlybeproperly_put，_tobecomeself-evident。Itis_not_excellenceifitrequiretobedemonstratedassuch：andthustopointouttooparticularlythemeritsofaworkofArt，istoadmitthattheyare_not_meritsaltogether。
　　Amongthe“Melodies“ofThomasMooreisonewhosedistinguishedcharacterasapoemproperseemstohavebeensingularlyleftoutofview。
　　Ialludetohislinesbeginning“Come，restinthisbosom。”TheintenseenergyoftheirexpressionisnotsurpassedbyanythinginByron。Therearetwoofthelinesinwhichasentimentisconveyedthatembodiesthe_allinall_ofthedivinepassionofLoveasentimentwhich，perhaps，hasfounditsechoinmore，andinmorepassionate，humanheartsthananyothersinglesentimenteverembodiedinwords：
　　Come，restinthisbosom，myownstrickendeerThoughtheherdhavefledfromthee，thyhomeisstillhere；
　　Herestillisthesmile，thatnocloudcano’ercast，Andaheartandahandallthyowntothelast。
　　Oh！whatwaslovemadefor，if’tisnotthesameThroughjoyandthroughtorment，throughgloryandshame？
　　Iknownot，Iasknot，ifguilt’sinthatheart，IbutknowthatIlovethee，whateverthouart。