Poetic diction: A study of eighteenth century verse

by Thomas Quayle

POETIC DICTION

POETIC DICTION

A STUDY OF EIGHTEENTH CENTURY VERSE

BY
THOMAS QUAYLE

METHUEN & CO. LTD.
36 ESSEX STREET W.C.
LONDON

First Published in 1924

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN

CONTENTS

CHAPTER		PAGE
I.	THE AGE OF PROSE AND REASON	[1]
II.	THE THEORY OF DICTION	[5]
III.	THE “STOCK” DICTION	[25]
IV.	LATINISM	[56]
V.	ARCHAISM	[80]
VI.	COMPOUND EPITHETS	[102]
VII.	PERSONIFICATION AND ABSTRACTION	[132]
VIII.	THE DICTION OF POETRY	[181]
	Index	[207]

PREFACE

The studies on which this book is based were begun during my tenure of the “William Noble” Fellowship in English Literature at the University of Liverpool, and I wish to thank the members of the Fellowship Committee, and especially Professor Elton, under whom I had for two years the great privilege of working, for much valuable advice and criticism. I must also express my sincere obligation to the University for a generous grant towards the cost of publication.