The History of English Poetry: From the Close of the Eleventh Century to the Commencement of the Eighteenth Century. To which are Prefixed, Three Dissertations: 1. Of the Origin of Romantic Fiction in Europe. 2. On the Introduction of Learning Into England. 3. On the Gesta Romanorum, Volume 1 |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 88
Page 3
... opinions of antiquity , by forming so strong a contrast with those of our own times , and by exhibiting human nature and human inventions in new lights , in unexpected appearances , and in various forms , are objects which forcibly ...
... opinions of antiquity , by forming so strong a contrast with those of our own times , and by exhibiting human nature and human inventions in new lights , in unexpected appearances , and in various forms , are objects which forcibly ...
Page 6
... opinion , that these annals ought to have commenced with a view of the Saxon poetry . But besides that a legitimate illustration of that jejune and intricate subject would have almost doubled my labour , that the Saxon language is ...
... opinion , that these annals ought to have commenced with a view of the Saxon poetry . But besides that a legitimate illustration of that jejune and intricate subject would have almost doubled my labour , that the Saxon language is ...
Page 9
... opinions having no better foundation than vulgar belief un- supported by knowledge ; and the success attendant upon the publica- tion of his first volume , which speedily reached a second edition3 , en- 1 The reader will find Pope's ...
... opinions having no better foundation than vulgar belief un- supported by knowledge ; and the success attendant upon the publica- tion of his first volume , which speedily reached a second edition3 , en- 1 The reader will find Pope's ...
Page 10
... opinions upon the necessity of thus enlarging the boundaries of his theme , as of the manner in which he has acquitted himself in the under- taking . For while the general reader will complain of the frequent calls upon his patience for ...
... opinions upon the necessity of thus enlarging the boundaries of his theme , as of the manner in which he has acquitted himself in the under- taking . For while the general reader will complain of the frequent calls upon his patience for ...
Page 12
... opinion , and the ruling tastes or customs of their age . The most popular poetry of its day is well known not always to be the most meritorious , however safely we may trust to the equity of time for repairing this injustice . The only ...
... opinion , and the ruling tastes or customs of their age . The most popular poetry of its day is well known not always to be the most meritorious , however safely we may trust to the equity of time for repairing this injustice . The only ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
ancient Anglo-Saxon appears apud Arabian Armorica Arthur bards Beowulf Bibl bishop Bodl Bodleian library Brit British Brunne Cædmon called castle century CHAP Charlemagne Chaucer Chron Chronicle cited copy dæmon Dares Phrygius Du Cange Edda edit England English fable fiction France Geoffrey of Monmouth GESTA GESTA ROMANORUM gold Graal Greek gret grete Harl Henry hero Hist holy ibid infr king king Arthur knight kyng lady language Latin learned lond lord mance manuscript mentioned metrical minstrels monastery monks Norman Odin original Paris passage piece poem poet poetry popular printed probably prose reign rhyme Richard Ritson Robert Robert of Brunne Saint Saracens Saxon sayd says Sect song story supposed supr tale ther thou tion transcribed translated ubi supr verse Vincent of Beauvais Warton Welsh writer written
Popular passages
Page clix - Though loud at first the pilgrim's passion grew, Sudden he gaz'd, and wist not what to do; Surprise in secret chains his words suspends, And in a calm his settling temper ends. But silence here the beauteous angel broke, The voice of music ravish'd as he spoke.
Page 3 - We look back on the savage condition of our ancestors with the triumph of superiority ; we are pleased to mark the steps by which we have been raised from rudeness to elegance...
Page cxlii - The story of Cambuscan bold, Of Camball, and of Algarsife, And who had Canace to wife, That owned the virtuous ring and glass, And of the wondrous horse of brass On which the Tartar king did ride; And...
Page xc - Even so late as the year 1471, when Louis XI. borrowed the works of Rasis, the Arabian physician, from the faculty of medicine in Paris, he not only deposited in pledge a considerable quantity of plate, but was obliged to procure a nobleman to join with him as surety in a deed, binding himself under a great forfeiture to restore it.
Page 45 - Against slanderous reports or tales, to cause discord betwixt king and people.' (Westm. Primer, c. 34. anno 3. Edw. I.) That it had this effect is the opinion of an eminent writer : See ' Observations upon the Statutes, &c.
Page lxxxv - About the year 790 Charlemagne granted an unlimited right of hunting to the abbot and monks of Sithiu, for making their gloves and girdles of the skins of the deer they killed, and covers for their books.
Page 86 - In all languages," as has been well said, "there is a constant tendency to relieve themselves of that precision which chooses a fresh symbol for every shade of meaning, to lessen the amount of nice distinction, and detect as it were a royal road to the interchange of opinion." For example, a vast number of languages had at an early period of their development, besides the singular and plural, a dual number, some even a trinal, which they have let go at a later. But what I mean by a language renouncing...
Page clix - Approach'd the careless guide, and thrust him in ; Plunging he falls, and rising lifts his head, Then flashing turns, and sinks among the dead. Wild, sparkling rage inflames the father's eyes, He bursts the band of fear, and madly cries,
Page 28 - He may me blisse bringe ; Icham in hire baundoun. An hendy hap ichabbe yhent ; Ichot from hevene it is me sent ; From alle wymmen mi love is lent Ant lyht on Alysoun.
Page cxxxvi - This circumstance was highly favourable to the circulation of their learning in England. The suddenness of their dismission obliged them, for present subsistence, and other reasons, to sell their moveable goods of all kinds, among which were large quantities of rabbinical books. The monks in various parts availed themselves of the distribution of these treasures. At Huntingdon and Stamford there was a prodigious sale of their effects, containing immense stores of Hebrew manuscripts, which were immediately...