BOOK I PART III
this case, no more than in any other, is not to
be measured by the apparent agitation of the
mind. A poetical description may have a more
sensible effect on the fancy, than an historical
narration. It may collect more of those circum-
stances, that form a compleat image or picture.
It may seem to set the object before us in more
lively colours. But still the ideas it presents are
different to the feeling from those, which arise
from the memory and the judgment. There is
something weak and imperfect amidst all that
seeming vehemence of thought and sentiment,
which attends the fictions of poetry.
We shall afterwards have occasion to remark
both the resemblance and differences betwixt
a poetical enthusiasm, and a serious convic-
tion. In the mean time I cannot forbear ob-
serving, that the great difference in their feel-