The lives of the English poets |
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acquaintance Addison afterwards appeared battle of Ramillies Cato censure character considered contempt conversation court criticism death declared delight diction Dryden duke earl elegant endeavoured esfect esteem excellence fame favour fays Fenton fortune friends genius honour Iliad imagined imitation Juba judgement justly kind king William Kit-cat Club lady letter likewise lived lord chamberlain Lord Tyrconnel mankind Marlborough Matthew Prior ment mentioned merit mind nature neral ness never observed occasion once opinion passion performance perhaps play pleased pleasure poem poet poetical poetry Pope pounds praise Prior prosit publick published qualisied Queen racter reason received regard remarkable reputation resentment Savage Savage's seems Sempronius sent shew shewn sield sifty sinished Sir Robert Walpole sirst solicited sometimes Spence Steele supposed Syphax Tatler Theophilus Cibber thought Tickell tion told topicks tragedy Tyrconnel verses virtue Whig write written wrote
Popular passages
Page 363 - WANDERER, the man of exalted sentiments, extensive views, and curious observations ; the man whose remarks on life might have assisted the statesman, whose ideas of virtue might have enlightened the moralist, whose eloquence might have influenced senates, and whose delicacy might have polished courts.
Page 26 - James, whose skill in physic will be long remembered ; and with David Garrick, whom I hoped to have gratified with this character of our common friend. But what are the hopes of man ? I am disappointed by that stroke of death which has eclipsed the gaiety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure.
Page 140 - ... always equable, and always easy, without glowing words or pointed sentences. Addison never deviates from his track to snatch a grace; he seeks no ambitious ornaments, and tries no hazardous innovations. His page is always luminous, but never blazes in unexpected splendour.
Page 26 - His studies had been so various, that I am not able to name a man of equal knowledge. His acquaintance with books was great; and what he did not immediately know, he could at least tell where to find.
Page 291 - Richard, with an air of the utmost importance, to come very early to his house the next morning. Mr. Savage came as he had promised, found the chariot at the door, and Sir Richard waiting for him, and ready to go out. What was intended, and whither they were to go, Savage could not conjecture, and was not willing to...
Page 107 - above all men in that talent called humour, and enjoyed it in such perfection that I have often reflected, after a night spent with him apart from all the world, that I had had the pleasure of conversing with an intimate acquaintance of Terence and Catullus, who had all their wit and nature, heightened with humour more exquisite and delightful than any other man ever possessed.
Page 244 - The play, like many others, was plainly written only to divert, without any moral purpose, and is therefore not likely to do good; nor can it be conceived, without more speculation than life requires or admits, to be productive of much evil. Highwaymen and housebreakers seldom frequent the playhouse, or mingle in any elegant diversion; nor is it possible for any one to imagine that he may rob with safety, because he sees Macheath reprieved upon the stage.
Page 291 - They soon sat down to the work. Sir Richard dictated and Savage wrote, till the dinner that had been ordered was put upon the table. Savage was surprised at the meanness of the entertainment, and after...
Page 404 - ... nothing will supply the want of prudence; and that negligence and irregularity, long continued, will make knowledge useless, wit ridiculous, and genius contemptible.
Page 322 - Should Dennis publish, you had stabb'd your Brother, Lampoon'd your Monarch, or debauch'd your Mother ; Say, what revenge on Dennis can be had ? Too dull for laughter, for reply too mad : On one so poor you cannot take the law; On one so old your sword you scorn to draw : Uncag'd then let the harmless monster rage, Secure in dulness, madness, want, and age.
Bibliographic information
| Title | The lives of the English poets Volume 10 of The Works of Samuel Johnson: With an Essay on His Life and Genius, The Works of Samuel Johnson: With an Essay on His Life and Genius |
| Authors | Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy |
| Publisher | T. Longman, 1792 |
| Original from | Oxford University |
| Digitized | Apr 7, 2006 |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |