been so much my present aim to prove, that the interest excited by some other kinds of

poetry is less vivid, and less worthy of the nobler powers of the mind, as to offer reasons

for presuming, that if my purpose were fulfilled, a species of poetry would be produced,

which is genuine poetry; in its nature well adapted to interest mankind permanently, and

likewise important in the multiplicity and quality of its moral relations.

From what has been said, and from a perusal of the Poems, the Reader will be able

clearly to perceive the object which I had in view: he will determine how far it has been

attained; and, what is a much more important question, whether it be worth attaining: and

upon the decision of these two questions will rest my claim to the approbation of the

Public.

34

Note 1. I here use the word 'Poetry' (though against my own judgement) as opposed to the

word Prose, and synonymous with metrical composition. But much confusion has been

introduced into criticism by this contradistinction of Poetry and Prose, instead of the more

philosophical one of Poetry and Matter of Fact, or Science. The only strict antithesis to

Prose is Metre; nor is this, in truth, a strict antithesis, because lines and passages of metre

so naturally occur in writing prose, that it would be scarcely possible to avoid them, even

were it desirable. [back]

Note 2. As sensibility to harmony of numbers, and the power of producing it, are invariably

attendants upon the faculties above specified, nothing has been said upon those

requisites. [back]

Famous Prefaces.

The Harvard Classics. 1909-14.

Appendix to Lyrical Ballads

William Wordsworth (1802)

PERHAPS, as I have no right to expect that attentive perusal, without which, confined, as I

have been, to the narrow limits of a preface, my meaning cannot be thoroughly

understood, I am anxious to give an exact notion of the sense in which the phrase poetic

diction has been used; and for this purpose, a few words shall here be added, concerning

the origin and characteristics of the phraseology, which I have condemned under that

name.

The earliest poets of all nations generally wrote from passion excited by real events; they 2

wrote naturally, and as men: feeling powerfully as they did, their language was daring,

and figurative. In succeeding times, Poets, and Men ambitious of the fame of Poets,

perceiving the influence of such language, and desirous of producing the same effect