We have enough in England to supply our necessity; but if we will
have things of magnificence and splendour, we must get them by
commerce. Poetry requires ornament, and that is not to be had from
our old Teuton monosyllables; therefore, if I find any elegant word
in a classic author, I propose it to be naturalised by using it
myself; and if the public approves of it, the bill passes. But
every man cannot distinguish betwixt pedantry and poetry; every man,
therefore, is not fit to innovate.
Upon the whole matter, a poet must first be certain that the word he
would introduce is beautiful in the Latin; and is to consider, in
the next place, whether it will agree with the English idiom. After
this he ought to take the opinion of judicious friends, such as are
learned in both languages; and lastly, since no man is infallible,
let him use this licence very sparingly; for if too many foreign
words are poured in upon us, it looks as if they were designed not
to assist the natives, but to conquer them.
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