The prosaic commentary obscures the beauty of the text, so that We are so much under the tyranny of the scientific method that the habits of the schoolroom intrude, and we try to extract instruction from what was meant to give us joy. The distaste for poetry arises largely from the habit of treating it as if it were only a more difficult kind of prose. The old hymn says, “ Religion never was designed to make our pleasures less,” and the same thing ought to be said about poetry. I will apply myself with all diligence, that by means of it I may improve my mind.” Who has not sometimes quailed before the long row of British Poets in uniform binding, standing stiffly side side, like so many British grenadiers on dress parade? Who has not felt his courage ooze away at the sight of those melancholy volumes labeled Complete Poetical Works ? Poetical Remains they used to call them, and there is something funereal in their aspect. I will produce a masterpiece.” Thereupon the conscientious reader answers, 舠 Very well I can stand it. We usually accept poetry as mental discipline. We are ready to form classes to study it and to discuss it, but these solemn assemblies are not likely to be disturbed by outbursts of “ great joyous laughter.’’ “ Then, because Greeks are Greeks, and hearts are hearts, And poetry is power, they all outbroke In a great joyous laughter with much love.”īecause Americans are Americans, and business is business, and time is money, and life is earnest, we take our poetry much more seriously than that.
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