[Transcriber's Note: Footnotes have been numbered and moved to the end.]
By
The Sylphs of the Seasons; a Poet's Dream
Myrtilla: addressed to a Lady, who lamented that she had never been in love
To a Lady who spoke slightingly of Poets
Sonnet on a Falling Group in the Last Judgment of Michael Angelo, in the Cappella Sistina
Sonnet on the Group of the Three Angels before the Tent of Abraham, by Raffaelle, in the Vatican
Sonnet, on seeing the Picture of Æolus, by Peligrino Tibaldi, in the Institute at Bologna
Sonnet on Rembrant; occasioned by his Picture of Jacob's Dream
Sonnet on the Luxembourg Gallery
Sonnet to my venerable Friend, the President of the Royal Academy
As it may be objected to the following Poem, that some of the images thereintroduced are not wholly peculiar to the Season described, the Authorbegs leave to state, that, both in their selection and disposition, he wasguided by that, which, in his limited experience, was found to be theSeason of their greatest impression: and, though he has not always feltthe necessity of pointing out the collateral causes by which the effectwas increased, he yet flatters himself that, in general, they aresufficiently implied either by what follows or precedes them. Thus, forinstance, the running brook, though by no means peculiar, isappropriated to Spring; as affording by its motion and seemingexultation one of the most lively images of that spirit of renovationwhich animates the earth after its temporary suspension during the Winter.By the same rule, is assigned to Summer the placid lake, &c. not becausethat image is never seen, or enjoyed, at any other season; but on accountof its affecting us more in Summer, than either in the Spring, or inAutumn; the indolence and languor generally then experienced disposing usto dwell with particular delight on such an object of repose, not tomention the grateful idea of coolness derived from a knowledge of itstemperature. Thus also the evening cloud, exhibiting a fleetingrepresentation of successive objects, is, perhaps, justly appropriated toAutumn, as in that Season the general decay of inanimate nature leads themind to turn upon itself, and without effort to apply almost every imageof sense or vision of the imagination,* to its own transitory state.
If the above be admitted, it is needless to add more; if it be not, itwould be useless.
Long has it been my fate to hear...