147 164 The Editor has found no authoritative text of this poem, to
his mind superior to any other of its class in melody and pathos. Part
is probably not later than the seventeenth century: in other stanzas a
more modern hand, much resembling Scott's, is traceable. Logan's poem
(163) exhibits a knowledge rather of the old legend than of the old
verses,--_Hecht_, promised; the obsolete _hight_: _mavis_, thrush:
_ilka_, every: _lav'rock_, lark: _haughs_, valley-meadows: _twined_,
parted from: _marrow_, mate: _syne_, then.

148 165 The Royal George, of 108 guns, whilst undergoing a partial
careening at Spithead, was overset about 10 A.M. Aug. 29, 1782. The
total loss was believed to be nearly 1000 souls.--This little poem
might be called one of our trial-pieces, in regard to taste. The
reader who feels the vigour of description and the force of pathos
underlying Cowper's bare and truly Greek simplicity of phrase, may
assure himself _se valde profecisse_ in poetry.

151 167 A little masterpiece in a very difficult style: Catullus
himself could hardly have bettered it. In grace, tenderness,
simplicity, and humour, it is worthy of the Ancients: and even more
so, from the completeness and unity of the picture presented.

155 172 Perhaps no writer who has given such strong proofs of the
poetic nature has left less satisfactory poetry than Thomson. Yet this
song, with 'Rule Britannia' and a few others, must make us regret that
he did not more seriously apply himself to lyrical writing.

156 174 With what insight and tenderness, yet in how few words, has
this painter-poet here himself told _Love's Secret!_

157 177 l. 1 _Aeolian lyre_: the Greeks ascribed the origin of their
Lyrical Poetry to the Colonies of Aeolis in Asia Minor.

158 -- _Thracia's hills_ (l. 9) supposed a favourite resort of Mars.
_Feather'd king_ (l. 13) the Eagle of Jupiter, admirably described by
Pindar in a passage here imitated by Gray. _Idalia_ (l. 19) in Cyprus,
where _Cytherea_ (Venus) was especially worshipped.

159 -- l. 6 _Hyperion_: the Sun. St. 6-8 allude to the Poets of the
Islands and Mainland of Greece, to those of Rome and of England.

160 -- l. 27 _Theban Eagle_: Pindar.

163 178 l. 5 _chaste-eyed Queen_: Diana.

164 179 From that wild rhapsody of mingled grandeur, tenderness, and
obscurity, that 'medley between inspiration and possession,' which
poor Smart is believed to have written whilst in confinement for
madness.

165 181