Now in his sixth Section, he make's it a Question, and discourses largely, whether Passion can go along with a Sublime SENTIMENT. But any one who has divided Sentiment into Image and Thought would laugh at this Question; it being so plain that passion is consistent with a Sublime Thought, and is not with a Sublime Image.
Would not any person who desired to acquire a true and thorough Notion of a sublime Sentiment, so as to know one, wherever met, be puzzled at Longinus's telling him, Homer's Sentiment is sublime, where he make's the Giant's heap Ossa on Olympus, and on Ossa Wood-top'd Pelion; and a little after telling him that Alexander's to Parmeno is a sublime Sentiment. Parmeno say's, Were I Alexander, I would embrace these Proposals of Peace. Alexander reply'd, And I, by the Gods, were I Parmeno. These Sentiments of Homer and Alexander (tho' equally sublime) are as different as a Bright and a Tender Sentiment. If then I have settled one in my Mind, as sublime, How shall I conceive the other as such?
But there is no other way of avoiding this Confusion, and of being equally certain of all sublime Sentiments, but by knowing that the first of these is a sublime Image, and the last a sublime Thought or Sentiment. And you will find, if you consider the Nature of Homer's Image, all sublime Images are like it; and the same of Alexander's sublime Thought. Altho' the sublime Sentiments in general are so different.
But since we are accidentally engag'd in considering the Sublime; I will endeavour to show you how to judge infallibly of a Sublime SENTIMENT. For I think it cannot be gotten from Longinus; or at least, I could never learn it from that most Florid and Ingenious author. And it may be shown in three Lines, as well as in so many Volumes.
A Sublime Image always dilate's and widen's the Mind, and put's it upon the Stretch. It comprehends somewhat almost too big for it's Reach; and where the Mind is most stretch'd, the Image is most Sublime; if we consider no foreign Assistances. As Homer say's, The Horses of the Gods, sprung as far at every Stride, as a Man can see who sit's upon the Sea-shore. But foreign Assistances, as a figurative Turn, &c. may raise a passage to an equal degree of Sublimity, which yet does not so largely dilate the Mind; as this of Shakespear's is more Sublime than that of Homer's.
—Heaven's Cherubs, hors'd Upon the sightless Curriers of the Air, Shall blow the horrid Deed in every Eye.
Macbeth. Act. 1. Scen. 7
The not having a perfect Idea of the Sentiment, make's us conceive something the greater of it.
A Sublime Thought always gives us a greater and more noble Conception of either the Person speaking; the Person spoken of; or, the Thing spoken of. I need not instance; but if you apply this to any of the Thoughts of Homer, or Shakespear, generally call'd Sublime, you'll find it will always square.
Here let me make one Observation: That you may never be mistaken in judging of a Sublime Passage, Cubbin, take notice; that there are some Thoughts so much imaged in the Turn that is given to 'em, by the figurative Expression, that they lose the name of Thoughts, and commence Images. I will mention one out of Shakespear, (who uses this Method the most of any Author, and 'tis almost the only thing that raises his Language) I will mention it, because, being in it self a low and common Sentiment, he has made it the most Sublime, I think, of any he has. Macbeth's Lady say's, before the Murther of the King.