The
equalization is therefore judiciously effected by the introduction
of an additional syllable. But in the lines
Stream, as the eyes of those that love us close,
We think on what they were with many fears,
lines to which the preceding observations will equally apply, this
additional syllable is wanting. Did the rhyme admit of the alteration,
everything necessary could be accomplished by writing
We think on what they were with many a fear,
Lest goodness die with them and leave the coming year.
These remarks may be considered hypercritical- yet it is undeniable
that upon a rigid attention to minutiae such as we have pointed out,
any great degree of metrical success must altogether depend. We are
more disposed, too, to dwell upon the particular point mentioned
above, since, with regard to it, the American Monthly, in a late
critique upon the poems of Mr. Willis, has evidently done that
gentleman injustice. The reviewer has fallen into what we conceive the
error of citing, by themselves, (that is to say insulated from the
context) such verses as
The night-wind with a desolate moan swept by.
With difficult energy and when the rod.
Fell through, and with the tremulous hand of age.
With supernatural whiteness loosely fell.
for the purpose of animadversion.
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