Poet (n.) cannot be good without ardour of imagination and something close to frenzy.
Poet (n.) cannot be great without being in a state of frenzy, says Democritus, and Plato says the same.
Poet (n.) wants no tears at his funeral, for he claims from his works an immortality.
Poet (n.) gets no pardon from the crowd for a lame line; the orator gets some.
Poet (n.) always admires his own work: I never knew one who did not appear to himself very admirable.
Poet (n.) is nearly allied to the orator; being somewhat more restricted in numbers, but less restrained in the choice of words.
Poet (n.) does real harm: he shows the bravest men lamenting, softens our minds, and is so entertaining that we learn him by heart.