For ever blest be that prolific brain which can such stores of images contain! Thus the charged trees, with blooming odours crowned, shed their fair blossoms with profusion round; so swells the brook with heaven descended rain, and flows meandering on thirsty plain; such various talents were by Heaven designed (too vast a treasure for a single mind) to please, astonish, and instruct mankind. With a delight not to be told, I view themes long exhausted in your hands grow new; past all describing your descriptions are, so full, so just, so bold, yet regular; the style so varied that it wants a name, which, ever differing, ever is the same; you raise or calm our passions as you please, the human heart your powerful pen obeys. When eager Trasimond pursues the course, we hear the whip, and see the foaming horse; with Sophronia we have wept and smiled, so soon offended—sooner reconciled. Go on, great author! that the world may see how bright, when from pedantic fetters free, true genius shines, and shines alone in thee. Give new editions, with a noble scorn of insect critics, who'd obscure thy morn; neglect their censures, nor thy work delay, the owls still sicken at the sight of day.
Poets from history reimagined for social media