...English Poets. But negative in so far as Johnson is implying indirect praise. These are Johnson's words: "Yet great labour directed by great abilities is never...conceits were farfetched they were often worth the carriage."58 Eliot exploits this negative praise as a vehicle to translate the poetic qualities of...

...deny that there was something to be said in their favour. Great labour, directed by great ability, is never wholly lost; if they frequently threw away...were far-fetched, they were often worth the carriage. ... If their greatness seldom elevates, their acuteness often surprises; if the imagination is not...

...sublime, they endeavoured to supply by hyperbole ; their amplification had no limits ; they left not only reason but fancy behind them ; and produced combinations...could not be credited, but could not be imagined. To write on their plan it was at least necessary to read and think. No man could be born a metaphysical...

...unexpected and surprising." " Their wish was only to say what they hoped had been never said before." They " produced combinations of confused magnificence that...could not be credited, but could not be imagined." How similar are the criticisms of other enemies of the Baroque, who are surprised, almost impressed,...