On the Art of Writing · Chapter
Lecture III: On the Difference Between Verse and Prose explained
This lecture distinguishes verse from prose, defining verse as memorable speech set down in metre with strict rhythms, and prose as memorable speech without metre and with freer rhythm.
What happens
This lecture distinguishes verse from prose, defining verse as memorable speech set down in metre with strict rhythms, and prose as memorable speech without metre and with freer rhythm. The speaker warns against confusing the two, advises beginners to stay on one side of the frontier, and illustrates the difference through examples from Milton and Burke. He also discusses the evolution of literature from oral to written forms, the role of print, and the importance of propriety in style.
Themes in this chapter
Verse vs. Prose
The central theme of the lecture, defining verse as metrical and prose as non-metrical, with practical advice for writers.
Literature as a Living Art
The speaker emphasizes literature as a permanent record of memorable speech, evolving from oral to written forms.
Style and Personality
Discussed through the contrast between Shakespeare's appropriate use of grand words and Burke's turgid imitation, highlighting the importance of propriety.
Precision and Clarity
The speaker advocates for clear distinctions between verse and prose, warning against confusion and advocating for separate rules.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The lecturer, speaking in first person, guides the audience through the distinctions between verse and prose.
- Milton
Cited as an example of verse from Paradise Regained, illustrating inversions and diction distinct from prose.
- Burke
Discussed for his prose style, particularly his borrowing from Shakespeare in the 'Letters on the Regicide Peace,' which becomes turgid.
- Shakespeare
Referenced for the Prologue to Henry the Fifth, used by Burke as a source, and praised for making great words appropriate.
- Professor Saintsbury
Mentioned for his work A History of English Prose Rhythm, which is commended but noted as lacking practical guidance.
- Wordsworth
Quoted in a couplet about measuring, used to illustrate the limitations of scanning prose rhythm.
- Homer
Referenced as an example of oral tradition, intoning the Iliad to the harp.
- Sappho
Mentioned as a poet who plucked her passion from the lyre, illustrating the oral origins of verse.
Key passages
“Verse is memorable speech set down in metre with strict rhythms; prose is memorable speech set down without constraint of metre and in rhythms both lax and various”
Verse is speech worth remembering, written in a regular meter and rhythm; prose is also memorable speech, but written without meter and with flexible, varied rhythms.
This is the core definition distinguishing verse and prose in the lecture.
“I am journeying, say, in the West of England. I cross a bridge over a stream dividing Devon from Cornwall. These two counties, each beautiful in its way, are quite unlike in their beauty: yet nothing happened as I stepped across the brook, and for a mile or two or even ten I am aware of no change.”
Imagine traveling in the West of England: crossing a bridge from Devon to Cornwall, the two counties are beautiful but different, yet the transition is gradual and imperceptible at first.
Used as an analogy for the subtle boundary between poetry and prose.
“Now Shakespeare is but apologising for the shortcomings of his playhouse, whereas Burke is denouncing his country’s shame and prophesying disaster to Europe. Yet do you not feel with me that while Shakespeare, using great words on the lowlier subject, contrives to make them appropriate, with Burke, writing on the loftier subject, the same or similar words have become tumid, turgid?”
Shakespeare uses grand language to apologize for his theater's limitations, and it fits; Burke uses similar language to condemn national disgrace and predict disaster, but it becomes inflated and bombastic.
Illustrates the difference between appropriate and inappropriate use of elevated style in prose.
