诗歌之灵性The Dexterity of Poetry

With the young of both sexes,

Poetry is, like love, a passion;

but, for much the greater part of those who have been proud of its power over their minds,

a necessity soon arises of breaking the pleasing bondage;or it relaxes of itself;

the thoughts being occupied in domestic cares,

or the time engrossed by business.

Poetry then becomes only an occasional recreation;

while to those whose existence passes away in a course of fashionable pleasure,

it is a species of luxurious amusement.

In middle and declining age, a scattered number of serious persons resort to poetry,

as to religion, for a protection against the pressure of trivial employments, and as a consolation for the afflictions of life.

And, lastly, there are many, who, having been enamoured of this art in their youth,

have found leisure, after youth was spent,

to cultivate general literature; in which poetry has continued to be comprehended as a study.