The Minstrel; or the Progress of Genius

James Beattie

The Minstrel; or the Progress of Genius / with some other poems

PREFACE TO THE MINSTREL

The design was, to trace the progress of a Poetical Genius, born in a rude age, from the first dawning of fancy and reason, till that period at which he may be supposed capable of appearing in the world as a Minstrel, that is, as an itinerant Poet and Musician; – a character, which, according to the notions of our fore-fathers, was not only respectable, but sacred.

I have endeavoured to imitate Spenser in the measure of his verse, and in the harmony, simplicity, and variety, of his composition. Antique expressions I have avoided; admitting, however, some old words, where they seemed to suit the subject; but I hope none will be found that are now obsolete, or in any degree unintelligible to a reader of English poetry.

To those, who may be disposed to ask, what could induce me to write in so difficult a measure, I can only answer, that it pleases my ear, and seems, from its Gothic structure and original, to bear some relation to the subject and spirit of the Poem. It admits both of simplicity and magnificence of sound and of language, beyond any other stanza that I am acquainted with. It allows the sententiousness of the couplet, as well as the more complex modulation of blank verse. What some critics have remarked, of its uniformity growing at last tiresome to the ear, will be found to hold true, only when the poetry is faulty in other respects.

THE MINSTREL; IN TWO BOOKS

Me vero primum dulces ante omnia Musæ,

Quarum sacra fero, ingenti perculsus amore,

Accipiant. —

В В В В Virgil.

THE MINSTREL; OR, THE PROGRESS OF GENIUS.

BOOK FIRST

I

Ah! who can tell how hard it is to climb

The steep, where Fame’s proud temple shines afar!

Ah! who can tell how many a soul sublime

Has felt the influence of malignant star,

And waged with Fortune an eternal war!

Checked by the scoff of Pride, by Envy’s frown,

And Poverty’s unconquerable bar,

In life’s low vale remote has pined alone,

Then dropt into the grave, unpitied and unknown!

II

And yet, the languor of inglorious days

Not equally oppressive is to all.

Him, who ne’er listened to the voice of praise,

The silence of neglect can ne’er appal.

There are, who, deaf to mad Ambition’s call,

Would shrink to hear th’ obstreperous trump of Fame;

Supremely blest, if to their portion fall

Health, competence, and peace. Nor higher aim

Had He, whose simple tale these artless lines proclaim.

III

This sapient age disclaims all classic lore;

Else I should here, in cunning phrase, display,

How forth The Minstrel fared in days of yore,

Right glad of heart, though homely in array;

His waving locks and beard all hoary grey:

And, from his bending shoulder, decent hung

His harp, the sole companion of his way,

Which to the whistling wind responsive rung:

And ever as he went some merry lay he sung.

IV

Fret not yourselves, ye silken sons of pride,

That a poor Wanderer should inspire my strain.

The Muses fortune’s fickle smile deride,

Nor ever bow the knee in Mammon’s fane;

For their delights are with the village-train,

Whom Nature’s laws engage, and Nature’s charms:

They hate the sensual, and scorn the vain;

The parasite their influence never warms,

Nor him whose sordid soul the love of wealth alarms.

V

Though richest hues the peacock’s plumes adorn,

Yet horror screams from his discordant throat.

Rise, sons of harmony, and hail the morn,

While warbling larks on russet pinions float;

Or seek, at noon, the woodland scene remote,

Where the grey linnets carol from the hill.

O let them ne’er, with artificial note,

To please a tyrant, strain the little bill!

But sing what heaven inspires, and wander where they will.

VI

Liberal, not lavish, is kind Nature’s hand;

Nor was perfection made for