“The poet's function is not to describe nature, but to interpret it.”

Emphasising the poet's role as an interpreter of experience rather than a mere recorder of appearances. · Essay on poetry

• Interpretation
• Nature
• Poetry

“Poetry is not the thing itself, but the expression of the thing.”

Distinguishing artistic expression from the experience or reality that inspires it. · Essay on poetry

• Art
• Expression
• Poetry

“Anything that promotes the knowledge of Wordsworth would be acceptable to me.”

Showing his deep commitment to keeping Wordsworth's poetry and thought alive for readers. · Letter to William Angus Knight, 28 August 1884

• Authors
• Knowledge
• Poetry

“I think poetry should surprise by a fine excess, and not by singularity; it should strike the reader as a wording of his own highest thoughts, and appear almost a remembrance.”

Describing poetry as something heightened yet deeply recognisable to the reader. · Essay, The Two Chief Schools of English Poetry

• Beauty
• Poetry
• Readers

“If I fail in that attempt I shall not fret about it; others will do it later—what I have aimed at doing—and will probably do it better.”

A modest acceptance that literary ideals may be carried forward by others. · Conversation, as recalled in The Poets' Chantry

• Acceptance
• Humility
• Poetry

“I am doing what in me lies to keep alive poetry with a little conscience in it.”

Expressing his belief that poetry should retain a moral seriousness and sense of responsibility. · Conversation, as recalled in The Poets' Chantry

• Conscience
• Poetry
• Writing