Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-12-24
POETRY. ~ ''' ''''

noblcst that il has ever been the fortune of
man to invent Although ii has been ranked
among the arts, art has very little 10 do with
genuine Poetry.
The studied metre, the jinglng rhymes, and
unmeaning phrases that are SO often brought
into miserable existence, and sent broadcast
over closely criticising world, and the cold
ness with which they are treated sufficiently
prove that the aid it receives from art is
Slight
For many n would-be poet, in his cagerness
to see his feeble hopes realized, Of one day be-
coming one Of the most noted poets Of the
land; and of inscribing his name SO deeply on
the bright temple Of fame, that the wasting
storm Of ages will not cftace it; has learned
the useless rules Of verificalion, until be can
repeat them as easily as the alphabet Of his
native tongue; and yet, when his productions
are submitted 10 the scrutinizing gaze of an
intelligent public these unnatural poets re-
ceive as little charity, and as much coldness
and indifference, as though they we're ignor-
ami Of all Poetic rules, These vain nspirants
after what they never can obtain, have done
more 10 tarnish the fair fame of Poetry, than
any other class OF persons. Poetry, to live !;
mus be the outgushng of a feeling heart, of a
mind thet is awake to every object Of nature,
and that is sensibly impressed with ever image
of the sublime, and beautiful, in which are min
gled in rich profusion, the varied coorings and
beautiful picturings Of vivid imagination; !;
instead of being forced from hearts, as hard
and cold and chccrless rs the marble tomb
stone, at the lone hour Of midnight, when all
nature is wrapped in calm and sweet repose,
and the solemn stiffness of the hour exerts
such an influence over the ileas Of The wiiter
that, ere they are aware his murderous in
tentious, now and then one is captured, WHEN
has carelessly strayed, too far from its hiding
place, and conveyed in triumph, to the gilt
tering sheet crudely prepared for its prison
house.
Poetry, written by one who is truly poet,
although written in the form ofpro,e, and the
lines composed Of an unequal number Of PO-
eic feet, will never fail to in crest the reader
but if it is written By one who cannot with
some business claim 10 be a poet, it proves
highly detrimental to the art which it profess
ses to initiate; in as much as many in reading
becomes disgusted not only with it, but with
all Poetry, and the whole band Of Poets.
But there is one portion Of community, in
whose estimation, the noble and exalted stan
dard Of true poetry, can never be lowered
although the united forces of the whole band
of unnatural poets, and unearthly phrases may
be brought to bear upon it, with an Ilercule-
an force, aid ed and assisted by the entire band
Anti poetsl
But this portion are those only, who have
sufficient poetic fire, glowing within their bos
ON to know what is requisite to constitute q
poet; although they may not be so happily
blended in them as TO constitute one.
They never would become tired of listening
to the wel-known sayings OF ROBERT BURNS
or in beholding the unequalied plays Of the
undying Shakespear the majesty and sublim
lily of fhe poetry of Lord Byron, or in listening
to the bold and energetic language of the far
famed MILTON; the wild Eolian strains of Os
ian, the smooth numbers of Virgil, or the
sweet Tyre of the ancient Horace, who SO of
his lutte strings tuned to sing of love and th'
sparkling wine, and laast of all to the loft!
strains Of old Homer, the King Of Poets, AM
and the father of Poetry, as he sits alone OIL
the highest pinnacle Of Fame, apart from al
the others. and sings Of tie councils Of th'
Gods, the marching Of armies and !he storm
ing Of Cities.
i BILLY BLUFFUM.
Dac 10ih