"I would define, in brief, the Poetry of words as The Rhythmical Creation of Beauty. Its sole arbiter is Taste. With the Intellect or with the Conscience, it has only collateral relations. Unless, inde…"

"I have a strong inclination to be a poet."

"The secret of a poem, no less than a jest's prosperity, lies in the ear of him that hears it."

"That man is a fool who cannot be a knave when he pleases."

"With me, poetry has been not a purpose, but a passion; and the passions should be held in reverence: they must not be profaned by a superficial interest."