Languages & literature > Abridgement of lectures on rhetoric

SUBLIMITY IN WRITING.
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to fublime WTiting. Simplicity is properly oppofed to
ftudied and profufe ornament ; and concifenefs to fu-
perfluous expreffion., It will eafily appear, why a de¬
left either in concifenefs or fimplicity is peculiarly hurt-
fi.il to the fublime. The emotion, excited in the mind
by fome great or noble objeft, raifes it confiderably
above its common pitch. A fpecies of enthufiafm is
produced, extremely pleafmg, while it lafts ; but the
mind is tending every moment to fink into its ordinary
ftate. When an author has brought us, or is endeav¬
ouring to bring us into this ftate, if he multiply words
unneceffarily ; if he deck the fublime objeft on all fides
with glittering ornaments; nay, if he throw in anyone
decoration, which falls in the leaft below the principal
image ; that moment he changes the key ; he relaxes
the tenfion of the mind ; the ftrength of the feeling is
cmafculated y the Beautiful may remain ; but the fub¬
lime is extinguiftied. Homer’s defcription of the nod
of Jupiter, as fhaking’ the heavens, has been admired in
all ages, as wonderfully fublime.. Literally tranflated, .
it runs thus ; “ He fpoke, and bending his fable brows
“ gave the awful nod;; while he {hook the celeftial locks
“ of his immortal head* all Olympus was fhaken.”
Mr. Pope tranflates it thus ;
He fpoke ; and awful bends his fable brows,-
Shakes his ambrofial curls, and gives the nod,
The (lamp of fate, and fanftion of a god ;
High heaven with trembling the dread fignal took.
And all Olympus to its centre fliook.