Thus versification, or the rhythm of poetry, may be said to be a natural consequence of the regular lengths of the musical notes, with which poetry was originally combined. But versification alone does not constitute poetry. Along with this must be conjoined bold and lively images, daring figures, and sublime and touching expressions, calculated to do justice to the sentiments conveyed. 'Without these, versification would no more constitute a poem, than a mechanical automaton would constitute tt_ living creature : These are the life and soul of poetry ; and if these arc present, regular versifica tion, as being only the outward form, may very well be dispensed with. Various conjectures have been formed, concerning the circumstances which led men to express their feelings in a style so different from the ordinary language of life, which to many has seemed difficult to account for ; but which in fact is exceedingly natural, especially to uncultivated men, who are peculiarly under the dominion of their passions and affections, and apt on every occasion to give way to the impulse of a lively imagination. When the mind is deeply penetrated with a strong emotion, it disdains the ordinary modes of ex pression : the familiar style will not satisfy, and would but poorly express the sentiments with which it is, as it were, ravished and transported. It is then that it indulges in metaphor, simile, apostrophe, hyperbole, and all those figurative modes of speech, which at once embellish and exalt style ; and it is then that it gives vent to the powerful emotions with which it is impressed, in pathetic and touching appeals to the feelings of others.
The first step, then, towards the invention of poetry, would be the giving way to strong and affecting emo tions, in such expressions as naturally suggested them selves. But it would soon be perceived, that among the various sounds which form the different languages, some had a peculiar force and energy, and some an agreeable sweetness, while others were feeble, or grating to the ear : it would be natural, therefore, to express bold and lively ideas in sublime and energetic language ; and to clothe the milder feelings in soft and melodious ex pressions. Thus would gradually be invented more studied and elegant forms of expression than those of common speech. But this, along with animation of sen timent, and the cadence and numbers of versification, is all that is required to constitute poetry.
If we inquire into the nature and sources of those affections and emotions which inspired the first votaries of the Muses, we shall find ourselves somewhat per plexed by the variety of opinions which have been offer ed. It is indeed possible, that as poetry is of all nations and countries, and employed on so great a variety of subjects, it did not in every case spring from the same source, or owe its origin to the same feelings of the heart. But as it is a talent inherent in human nature, and an expression of the sentiments most congenial to unsophisticated man ; it is not unreasonable to think, that the cause of its origin may have been nearly the same in every age and nation.
According to some authors, the raptures and trans ports of a devout and grateful heart, arising from the contemplation of the grandeur and goodness of the Su preme Being, were the first and principal sources of poetry. It must be allowed, that no subject is more admirably adapted than this, to encourage the happiest flights of the muse. But the conviction of one supreme and beneficent Being, the first cause, and sovereign dis poser of all things, is too profound and serious a senti ment to make its full impression upon the gross and uncultivated mind of a savage. The notions of rude men concerning the Divinity, are generally very imper fect and erroneous, and savour more of superstitious terror, than of that pure and animated devotion which might be expected to give birth to heart-inspiring hymns of praise. Some have imagined that poetry was the child of love. This passion is indeed capable of heating the imagination, and inspiring the soul with that kind of intoxication which produces the happiest effusions of the poet. But the earlier race of men was certainly too rude and brutal, to feel those tender and delicate emo tions to which the passion of love owes its enthusiasm, and which has conferred upon the poetry of latter ages its greatest beauties.
A source of poetry more congenial to the minds of uncultivated men, seems to have been the admiration excited by great and heroic atchievements; and the desire of perpetuating the memory of whatever was wonderful or important in the history of the tribe to which the poet belonged. Such was the professed office of the bards and minstrels of ancient times. They took for their theme the heroes and warriors of their nation ; they sung their atchievements with all the ani mation of gratitude and affection ; they were naturally disposed to magnify their exploits, and to aggrandize the particulars of their narrative, by swelling epithets, bold metaphors, and exaggerated hyperboles. They thus dressed their story in the true garb of poetry ; and gratified their own self-love, at the same time that they paid homage to the heroes of their country. At the present day, the songs of savages, which are their only poetry, contain nothing but the praises and ex ploits of their own nation, which they always exagge rate as much as possible. Such songs were found among the inhabitants of the Marian islands, when first visited by Europeans ; and who, though they were the most ignorant and savage of tribes, believed themselves to be the first and only nation of the world. In this absurd notion they were confirmed by the fictions of their poets, which flattered the pride and vain glory of these igno rant barbarians. Gobien, I. i.