Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-08-01
SOME FAMOUS POETS.
BY N. W.

Of the poets, Shakespeare is said to
be the sun among stars, around which
all other stars cluster and gather ilum-
mating rays of briliancy, where Cla-
deron shines as the brightest star IN the
constellation. Oladeron's proper and
peculiar sphere is that of fanciful
poet. His invention, it is said, is equal
to any feat of construction, and his I'M
agination to any opulence of adornment.
After Shakespeare and Aristophanes, no
dramatist has understood SO well how to
transport his reader or spectator to an
ideal world
As poet, Aristophanes is said to be
immortal. He was an Athenian citizen,
of the tribe of Pandionis and the deme
Cydathene. His birth has been placed
about the year 44S B. G. Aristophanes
was representative of the old comedy,
which is said to have lasted about eighty
years and to have fourished about fifty
six years, 460-404 B. G.
The middle comedy covered a period
OF about seventy years, 10000 B. c.,
Its chief poets being Antiphones, Alexis,
Plato, Comicus, Theopompus and Strut
It's. The new comedy was. in vogue
about seventy years, 320-250 B. c., hay
ing for its foremost representatives, Ne
ander, Philemon and Diphilus.
Of Aristophanes it was said, the Wild
est flights of extravaganey were per-
mitted to him. He could deal the
keenest thrust or make the most earnest
appeal, and the next moment, if he
wished, change the subject and vary the
severe strain by burlesque. His truest
and highest faculty is revealed by those
wonderful bits of lyric writing in which
he scars above everything that can move
laughter or tears, and makes the clear
air thrill with the notes of song as free,
as musical and as wild as that of the
nightingale invoked by his own chorus
in the "Birds." The speech Of Dekaios
LOCUS in the "Clouds," the praises of
country life in the "Peace," the chorus
Of the Frogs" above all perhaps, and
the beautiful "Chant of the Initiated"
are the true glories Of Aristophanes.
They are said to be the strains not of an
artist. but of one who Marbles for pure
gladness of heart, in some place made
bright by the presence of God. Moth
ing else in Greek poetry is said to have
quite this wild sweetness of the woods.
Shakespeare alone, perhaps, has it in
combination with q like richness and
fertility Of fancy. As poet, we find
Chaucer delightful companion. 1t is
said of Chaucer's poems there is so much
viyacity of movement, such tender play Of
feeling, such humor, such delight in
nature, in green leaves and sweet air,
sunshine and bird-singing, the open air
on the breezy hillside, or by the running
brook, seems to be the only proper at
mosphere for such poet but Chaucer's
sweet verses were first read under wholly
different conditions SIN tapestried cham
bers, to the gracious ears Of Lords and
ladies. It was from such an audience
that Chaucer received in vapor what
he poured back in food.
It is said, if you could place yourself
within the circle for which the poet
wrote, you would see the smile play on
sweet lips as he proceeds you see the
tear gather in the eye; you see the
needle laid aside as the mind of the fair
listener is transported to the poets
howery mead, OF piled more briskly as
she bends over her work to conceal her
laughter at his more-vulgar adventures.
ALI of Chaucer's works are stepped in
the nectar of the court the perfumes of
chivalrous sentiment breather from them
all. His "Court of Love-" "Canter-
bury Tales, " " Fair Maid of Kent" are
some of his best.
It has been said that he was only 10
years Of age when he produced "The
Court of Love-" He was from 1910 to
hoo.
Among the poets Of. the eighteenth
century Thomas Chatterton occupies
place altogether unique. It is said that
he was marvellous example Of matured
intellectual precocity, and also as a stu
dent of English literature, and as poet
remarkable in an age Of varied literary
excellence. He was only II years and
9months old, Yeti had already written
poems which fill two ample volumes,
and which now, upward of century
after his death, command our admiring
wonder for the rare evidence of genius
and sustained power they display. And
it is thought that, even now, compare
lively few know what rich vein of
romance and true poetry lies concealed
under the antique guise Of the Crowley
POEMS"
BE was writing spirited satires at 10
years of age, and he produced some of
his finest antique verses before he was
Is years of age.