...principal objed then which I proposed to myself in these Poems was to make the incidents of common life interesting by tracing in them, truly though not ostentatiously,...and rustic life was generally chosen because in that situation the essential passions of the heart find a better soil in which they can attain their maturity,...

...performing it. .-• The principal object, then, which I proposed to myself in these Poems was to chuse incidents and situations from common life, and to...heart find a better soil in which they can attain dieir maturity. are less under restraint, and speak a plainer and more emphatic language ; because...

...throughout, as far as was possible, in a selection of language really used by men ; and, at the same time, ta throw over them a certain colouring of imagination,...condition, the essential passions of the heart find a tetter soil in which they can attain their maturity, are less under restraint, and speak a plainer...

...interesting by tracing in them, truly though not ostentatiously, the primary laws of our nature : chiefly, is far as regards the manner in which we associate ideas...essential passions of the heart find a better soil in whicl| they can attain their maturity, are less under restraint, and speak a plainer and more emphatic...

...colouring of imagination, whereby ordinary things should be presented to the mind in an unusual way ; Da I and further, and above all, to make these incidents...which we associate ideas in a state of excitement." Pref. p. vii. Were these volumes (the Lyrical Ballads, &c.) now before us for criticism, however we...

...which I proposed to myself in i these Poems was to choose incidents and situations from com- . mon life, and to relate or describe them, throughout,...nature : chiefly, as far as regards the manner in which 1 we associate ideas in a state of excitement. Low and rustic life was generally chosen, because in...

...describe them, throughout, as far as was possible in a selection of language really used by men, y 3 and, at the same time, to throw over them a certain...which we associate ideas in a state of excitement. Humble and rustic life was generally chosen, because, in that condition, the essential passions of...

...far as possible, in a selection of language really used by men ; and at the same time to throw upon them a certain colouring of imagination, whereby ordinary...which we associate ideas in a state of excitement." Now, however the poet's ingenuity in the advancement and vindication of his theory of phraseology may...

...colouring of imagination, whereby ordinary things should be presented to the mind in an unusual aspect; and, further, and above all, to make these incidents...which we associate ideas in a state of excitement. Humble and rustic life was generally chosen, because, in that condition, the essential passions of...

...poet tells us) " further and above all, to make his incidents and situation (chosen from common life) interesting, by tracing in them, truly though not...which we associate ideas in a state of excitement," (let me take breath !) or, (as he says in another place,) " speaking in language more appropriate,...