The Art of English Poetry (1708)

by Edward Bysshe

"The Art of English Poetry" by Edward Bysshe is a comprehensive guide to English prosody, written in the early 18th century. This work serves as a handbook for aspiring poets, outlining rules for constructing English verse, providing a rhyming dictionary, and compiling an anthology of significant poetic thoughts from established English authors. The book emphasizes the structure of heroic poetry and aims to refine the techniques and expressions related to English verse composition. The beginning of "The Art of English Poetry" introduces the intent of the work, explaining its purpose as not just a collection of rules for writing poetry but also as a resource for skillfully choosing words and phrases. Bysshe underscores the importance of strong sense, propriety, and elevated thought in poetic expression, warning against superficial attempts to write verses. He outlines the three main components of the handbook—rules for making verses, a rhyming dictionary, and an alphabetical collection of noble thoughts—setting the stage for an exploration of English poetic practices grounded in the traditions of its predecessors, while aspiring to elevate the craft for serious poets.