The Dexterity of Poetry
诗歌之灵性
With the young of both sexes, Poetry is, like love, a passion; but, for much the greater part of those who have been proud of its power over their minds, a necessity soon arises of breaking the pleasing bondage; or it relaxes of itself; —the thoughts being occupied in domestic cares, or the time engrossed by business.
对青年男女来说，诗歌如同爱情一样，是一种激情。不过，即使是为诗歌动人心弦的力量萦绕心灵而骄傲的人，也很快就必需挣脱诗歌那令人愉悦的束缚；或者这种束缚会自然而然地松懈，因为家务占据了头脑，事业耗尽了时间。
Poetry then becomes only an occasional recreation; while to those whose existence passes away in a course of fashionable pleasure, it is a species of luxurious amusement. In middle and declining age, a scattered number of serious persons resort to poetry, as to religion, for a protection against the pressure of trivial employments, and as a consolation for the afflictions of life.
如此一来, 诗歌就只是偶尔的消遣了。对那些一生都在追求时髦的人来说，诗歌是一种奢侈的娱乐。而少数中老年人则借助于诗歌——就像求助于宗教一样——来缓解琐事带来的压力和抚平生活中的创伤。
And, lastly, there are many, who, having been enamoured of this art in their youth, have found leisure, after youth was spent, to cultivate general literature; in which poetry has continued to be comprehended as a study.
最后，还有许多自年轻时就迷上了诗歌艺术的爱好者，尽管已不再年轻，他们有了追求文学的闲暇，这时，诗歌被当成了一门学问。