Kames, Henry Home: Elements Of Criticism (Vol. 3) (Basil: Printed and sold by J. J. Tourneisen, 1795) [VD18 9078460X]

FIGURES.

Ch. XX.




Virgil. Buc. vi. 82.

Shakspeare, far from approving such intemperance
of imagination , puts this speech in the mouth os
a ranting lo^er. Neither can I relish what follows :

The following personification of the earth or soil is
not less wild :


Cleopatra is alsothe subjeil , the personification of
the air is carried beyond all bounds ;

Omnia , quae, Phcebo quondam meditaute , beatus
Audit Eurotas, jussitque cdiscere lauros ,
Hie canit.

34

»----————“The city call
Her people out upon her ; Antony
Inthron'd i’ th’market-place , did Ct alone ,
Whistling to th’ air, which but for vacancy.
Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,
And made a g^p in nature.
Antony and Cleopatra, at

She (hall be dignify’d with this high honour.
To bear my Lady’s train : lest the base earth
Should from her vesture chance to steal a kiss;
And of so.great a savour growing proud,
Disdain to root the summer-swelling ssower.
And make rough winter ever laftingly.
Two Gentlemen of Verona, aEt 2. Jc. 4.

The cheerfulness smgly of a pastoral song, will