Milton frequently uses in his poems the hypermetrical or redundant line of eleven syllables.
Him who to worth in woman over-trusting
Lets her will rule.—————
I also err'd in over much admiring.
Verses of this kind occur almost in every page; but though they are not unpleasing or dissonant, they ought not to be admitted into heroick poetry, since the narrow limits of our language allow us no other distinction of epick and tragick measures, than is afforded by the liberty of changing at will the terminations of the dramatick lines, and bringing them by that relaxation of metrical rigour nearer to prose.
Numb. 89. Tuesday, January 22, 1751.
Dulce est desipere in loco. |
Hor. |
Wisdom at proper times is well forgot. |
. |
LO C K E, whom there is no reason to suspect of being a favourer of idleness or libertinism, has advanced, that whoever hopes to employ any part of his time with efficacy and vigour, must allow some of it to pass in trifles. It is beyond the powers of humanity to spend a whole life in profound study and intense meditation, and the most rigorous exacters of industry and seriousness have appointed hours for relaxation and amusement.
It is certain, that, with or without our consent, many of the few moments allotted us will slide
