I know it signifies very little to the Affairs of the World, whether Waller was or was not a great Genius; whether he only made a few pretty Things, or that all his Verses may stand for Models.  But we who love the Arts, carry an attentive Eye on that which to the rest of the World is a Matter of mere Indifference.  Good Taste is for us in Literature, what it is for Women in Dress; and provided we don’t make our Opinions an Affair of Party, I think we may boldly say, that there are few excellent Things in Waller, and that Cowley might be easily reduced to a few Pages.

It is not that we would deprive them of their Reputation; ’tis only to inquire strictly what brought them that Reputation which is so much respected; and what are the true Beauties which made their Faults be overlooked.  It must be known what ought to be followed in their Works, and what avoided; this is the true Fruit of a deep Study in the Belles Lettres; it is this that Horace did, when he examined Lucilius critically. Horace got Enemies by it, but he enlightened his Enemies themselves.

This Desire of shining, and to say in a new Manner what others have said before, is the Foundation of new Expressions, as well as of far-fetched Thoughts.

He that cannot shine by a Thought will distinguish himself by a Word.  This is their Reason for substituting Placid for Peaceful, Joyous for Joyful, Meandring for Winding; and a hundred more Affectations of the same kind.  If they were to go on at this Rate, the Language of Shakespear, Milton, Dryden, Addison and Pope, would soon become quite superannuated.  And why avoid an Expression in use, to introduce one which says precisely the same Thing?  A new Word is never pardonable, but when it is absolutely necessary, intelligible and sonorous; they are forc’d to make them in Physics:  A new Discovery, or a new Machine demands a new Word.  But do they make new Discoveries in the human Heart?  Is there any other Greatness than that of Shakespear and Milton?  Are there any other Passions than those that have been handled by Otway and Dryden?  Is there any other Evangelic Moral than that of Dr. Tillotson?

Those who accuse the English Language of not being copious enough, do, in Truth, find a Sterility, but ’tis in themselves.

Rem Verba Sequuntur.

When one is thoroughly struck with an Idea, when a Man of Sense, fill’d with Warmth, is in full Possession of his Thought, it comes from him all ornamented with suitable Expressions, as Minerva sprang out, compleatly arm’d, from the Head of Jupiter.

In short, the Conclusion of all this is, that you must never seek for far-fetch’d Thoughts, Conceits or Expressions; and that the Art of all great Works, is to reason well, without making many Arguments; to paint accurately, without Painting all; to move, without always exciting the Passions.