Some men are like musical glasses; to produce their finest tones you must keep them wet.

What is an epigram? A dwarfish whole, its body brevity, and wit its soul.

And here were forests ancient as the hills, Enfolding sunny spots of greenery.

Poetry gives most pleasure when only generally and not perfectly understood.

The words in prose ought to express the intended meaning, and no more; if they attract attention to themselves, it is, in general, a fault.

Some men are like musical glasses; to produce their finest tones you must keep them wet.

A poet ought not to pick nature's pocket. Let him borrow, and so borrow as to repay by the very act of borrowing. Examine nature accurately, but write from recollection, and trust more to the imagination than the memory.