ting to turn an epic
poem into a monstrous drama, from the servile habits he had contracted
from his intercourse with the theatre! This error of the poet has,
however, no material influence on the "Gondibert," as it has come down
to us; for, discouraged and ridiculed, our adventurer never finished
his voyage of discovery. He who had so nobly vindicated the freedom of
the British Muse from the meanness of imitation, and clearly defined
what such a narrative as he intended should be, "a perfect glass of
nature, which gives us a familiar and easy view of ourselves," did not
yet perceive that there is no reason why a poetical narrative should
be cast into any particular form, or be longer or shorter than the
interest it excites will allow.

More than a century and a half have elapsed since the first
publication of "Gondibert," and its merits are still a subject of
controversy; and indubitable proof of some inherent excellence not
willingly forgotten. The critics are marshalled on each side, one
against the other, while between these formidable lines stands the
poet, with a few scattered readers;[322] but what is more surprising
in the history of the "Gondibert," the poet is a great poet, the work
imperishable!

The "Gondibert" has poetical defects fatal for its popularity; the
theme was not happily chosen; the quatrain has been discovered by
capricious ears to be unpleasing, though its solemnity was felt by
Dryden.[323] The style is sometimes harsh and abrupt, though often
exquisite; and the fable is deficient in that rapid interest which the
story-loving readers of all times seem most to regard. All these are
diseases which would have long since proved mortal in a poem less
vital; but our poet was a commanding genius, who redeemed his bold
errors by his energetic originality. The luxuriancy of his fancy, the
novelty of his imagery, the grandeur of his views of human life; his
delight in the new sciences of his age;--these are some of his
poetical virtues. But, above all, we dwell on the impressive solemnity
of his philosophical reflections, and his condensed epigrammatic
thoughts. The work is often more ethical than poetical; yet, while we
feel ourselves becoming wiser at every page, in the fulness of our
minds we still perceive that our emotions have been seldom stirred by
passion. The poem falls from our hands! yet is there none of which we
wish to retain so many single verses. D'Avenant is a poetical
Rochefoucault; t