True ease in writing comes from art, not chance,
As those move easiest who have learned to dance.
'Tis not enough no harshness gives offense,
The sound must seem an echo to the sense:
Soft is the strain when Zephyr gently blows,
And the smooth stream in smoother numbers flows;
But when loud surges lash the sounding shore,
The hoarse, rough verse should like the torrent roar;
When Ajax strives some rock's vast weight to throw,
The line too labors, and the words move slow;
Not so, when swift Camilla scours the plain,
Flies o'er the unbending corn, and skims along the main.
Hear how Timotheus' varied lays surprise,
And bid alternate passions fall and rise!
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Line 12
From guest Bob Burns (contact)
Was Pope so 'unbending' in his art that he deserts meter? Or rather, infallible, like his Vatican counter part? Perhaps Alexander just thought he was Great -
Right off the bat in reading this piece, there is already a quotable line and it is somewhat if not philosophical.
'True ease in writing comes from art, not chance,'
So much to that, so many outlooks and inlooks and viewings and it paints a picture quite clear.
And, to me, as I am sure Pope as well, it's true.
Actually out the entire piece, tho there is an excitement about the piece, that line just sums up so many things, I feel.
Overall, it's a well writ piece, I just like that first line, I hardly ever like the first line, actually I think this is the first.
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