* * * * * *
I am unspeakably comforted when I look over the above in remembering that the question is not whether it be Pindaric or Horatian, but whether the copy be as good as the original. And I say it is: and will take no denial.
Long live—long will live—the glad memory of William Hamilton, Good, Learned, Acute, and Disputatious! He fought upon principle: the motto of his book is:
"Truth, like a torch, the more it's shook it shines."
There is something in this; but metaphors, like puddings, quarrels, rivers, and arguments, always have two sides to them. For instance,
"Truth, like a torch, the more it's shook it shines;
But those who want to use it, hold it steady.
They shake the flame who like a glare to gaze at,
They keep it still who want a light to see by."