Page:Free Opinions, Freely Expressed on Certain Phases of Modern Social Life and Conduct.djvu/277

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sun, then, but not till then shall we require the assistance of the Superannuated to "discover" what we understand by a Poet. At present we are actively conscious both of the orb of day, and the true quality of genius; and though the Poet we choose for ourselves and silently acknowledge as worthy of all honour, may not be, and seldom is, the recommended favourite of a clique, we are fully aware of him, and show our love and appreciation by setting his book among our household gods. No "limited edition" will suffice for such a man; we need to have his poems singing about us wherever we go. For the oft-repeated truth is to-day as true as ever,—that the Great Poet is "born," and never has been and never will be "made."