Elements of the philosophy of the human mind. By Dugald Stewart. Rev. and abridged, with critical and explanatory notes, for the use of colleges and schools. By Francis Bowen ...

178 POETICAL FANC~M
both cases, we are pleased with contemplating an analogy
between two different subjects. But they differ in this, that the
man of wit has no other aim than to combine analogous ideas;*
whereas no allusion can, with propriety, have a place in serious
poetry, unless it eithler illustrate or adorn the principal subject.
If it has both these recommendations, the allusion is perfect.
If it has neither, as is often the case with the allusions of Cowley and of Young, the fancy of the poet degenerates into wit.
If these observations be well founded, they suggest a rule
with respect to poetical allusions, which has not always been
sufficiently attended to. It frequently happens, that two subjects
bear an analogy to each other in more respects than one; and
where such can be found, they undoubtedly furnish the most
favorable of all occasions for the display of wit. But, in serious
poetry, I am inclined to think, that however striking these
analogies may be, and although each of them might with propriety, be made the foundation of a separate allusion, it is
improper, in the course of the same allusion, to include more
than one of them; as, by doing so, an author discovers an
affectation of wit, or a desire of tracing analogies, instead of
illustrating or adorning the subject of his composition.t
FaWhy poetical fancy pleases. - I formerly defined fancy to be
- I speak here of pure and unmixed wit; and not of wit blended, as it
is most commonly, with some degree of humor.
i In the following stanza of Shenstone, for example,
How pale was then his true-love's cheek,
When Jemmy's sentence reached her ear.
For never yet did Alpine snows
So pale, or yet so chill appear;"
the double allusion unquestionably borders on conceit. The same double
allusion occurs in the translation of Mallet's "William and Margaret," by
Vincent Bourne,
"Candidior nive, frigidiorque manus."
How inferior in pathetic simplicity to the original,
And clay cold was the lily hand, etc,