There are two classes of poets – the poets by education and practice, these we respect; and poets by nature, these we love.

The test of the poet is the power to take the passing day, with its news, its cares, its fears, as he shares them, and hold it up to a divine reason, till he sees it to have a purpose and beauty. Then the dry twig blossoms in his hand.

For the Universe has three children, born at one time, which reappear under different names in every system of thought, whether they are called cause, operation and effect; or more poetically, Jove, Pluto, Neptune; or theologically, the Father, the Spirit and the Son; but we will call the Knower, the Doer and the Sayer. These […]

The poet’s habit of living should be set on a key so low that the common influences should delight him.

Sunshine cannot bleach the snow, Nor time unmake what poets know.

Our poets are men of talents who sing, and not the children of music.

The secret of poetry is never explained, – is always new. We have not got farther than mere wonder at the delicacy of the touch, and the eternity it inherits.

The poet knows that he speaks adequately, then, only when he speaks somewhat wildly, or, “with the flower of the mind;” not with the intellect, used as an organ, but with the intellect released from all service, and suffered to take its direction from its celestial life; or, as the ancients were wont to express […]

People fancy they hate poetry, and they are all poets and mystics!

The poet needs a ground in popular tradition on which he may work, and which, again, may restrain his art within the due temperance. It holds him to the people, supplies a foundation for his edifice; and, in furnishing so much work done to his hand, leaves him at leisure, and in full strength for […]