core, have been much of a philosopher; but he handles a philosophical
thought in verse with a dexterity that is entirely his own. The
sharpness and swiftness of intellectual power concurring in him, join so
much ease with so much brevity, that the poetical vein flows on
unhindered, even when involved with metaphysical notions and with
scholastic recollections. The comparison of the following noble strain
with the original now quoted, decisively and successfully shows the
character of an embellishing transformation, which we have all along
attributed to Dryden's treatment of Chaucer. The full thought of the
original is often but as the seed of thought to the version, or at least
the ungrown plant of the one throws out the luxuriance and majesty of
leaves, blossoms, and branches in the other. The growth and decay of the
oak in the two, and still more of the human being, are marked instances.
Dryden does not himself acknowledge the bold license which he has used
in regenerating; he does himself less than justice. The worth of his
work is not the giving to modern England her ancient poet, without the
trouble of acquiring his language, or of learning to sympathize with his
manner. It would almost seem as if that were an enterprise which there
is no accomplishing. Rightly to speak, it was not Dryden's. He really
undertook, from a great old poem lying before him, to write a great
modern poem, which he has done; and in the new Knight's Tale, we see
Dryden, the great poet--we do not see Chaucer, the greater poet. But we
see in it presumptive proof that the old poem worked from was great and
interesting; and we must be lazy and unprofitable students if we do not,
from the proud and splendid modernization, derive a yearning and a
craving towards the unknown simple antique. Unknown to us, in our first
studies, as we read upward from our own day into the past glories of our
vernacular literature; but which, when, with gradually mounting courage,
endeavour, and acquirement, we have made our way up so far, we find

"Worthy to have not remain'd so long unknown."

So, Dryden has done honour and rendered service to his mighty
predecessor--truer honour and better service--not by superseding, but by
guiding and impelling towards the knowledge of the old Knight's Tale.

DRYDEN.

The monarch oak, the patriarch of the trees,
Shoots rising up, and spreads by slow degrees;
Three centuries he grows, and three he stays,