 | Poems and prose writings |  |
INTRODUCTION TO THE POEMS.
Although the additions here made to the first edition
of the Poems are considerable, yet being in their poetical
characteristics essentially the same, I will stop to make
only a remark or two upon the principal of them — “Factitious
Life.”[1]
Looking at the more serious cast of thought which it
gradually takes, and particularly, at the religious character
of the close, some may think it would have been more
self-consistent, had there been less of a light manner and
homely familiarity in the setting out.
It would hardly have been more natural, however; for,
open our eyes where we may, they soon fall on the homely
or trifling; and as I did not aim at form, but simply at
following on after Life, making some passing observations,
and such reflections as might flow from them, if tried by
these, the poem will be found, I believe, in agreement with
the course of life, and congruous with itself.
The objection of others may lie against the close, as of
too serious a character to grow naturally out of the rest;
for I am aware of the influence that the habitual course of
our feelings and associations has over the perceptions;
and that the thoughts of men are too apt to run (contrary
to the course of them in this poem) from the serious to
the light: I am sorry for it.
In fine, there is, I trust, no want of congruity in a reflecting
mind, if, having first chanced upon the trifling, it
falls gradually into the serious, and at last rests in that
which should be the home of all our thoughts, the religious.
The alterations now made in the poems of the first
edition are of too minute a kind to deserve particular mention.
Some of them were introduced in consequence of
remarks which I occasionally met with in the public
notices. Nor have I distinguished between those which
were made in a friendly and those made in a detracting
spirit. Not to avail one's self of the suggestions of a friend
argues a wilful pertinacity, and to refuse to gather good
out of the censoriousness of an enemy savours of folly.
Though it ill becomes an honest man to bestow public
commendation through mere personal partiality, yet fairlyintentioned
public praise affects him who receives it, like
an act of personal kindness and regard. Within the few
last years I have had cause to feel this deeply; and without
affecting humility, let me add, that if attended with any
pain, it has been from that feeling of unworthiness which
commendation oftentimes occasions.
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