Contempt is egotism in ill- humor.

Finally, good sense is the body of poetic genius, fancy its drapery, motion its life, and imagination the soul that is everywhere and in each; and forms all into one graceful and intelligent whole.

The first great requisite is absolute sincerity. Falsehood and disguise are miseries and misery-makers.

There is nothing insignificant-nothing.

The sun's rim dips; the stars rush out: At one stride comes the dark; With far-heard whisper o'er the sea, Off shot the spectre-bark.

Fear gives sudden instincts of skill.

The spirit of poetry, like all other living powers, must of necessity circumscribe itself by rules, were it only to unite power with beauty.