I wish our clever young poets would remember my homely definitions of prose and poetry; that is, prose = words in their best order; poetry = the best words in the best order

I wish our clever young poets would remember my homely definitions of prose and poetry; that is, prose = words in their best order; - poetry = the best words in the best order.

Prose: words in their best order; poetry: the best words in the best order.

Poetry: the best words in the best order

Poetry is not the proper antithesis to prose, but to science. Poetry is opposed to science, and prose to metre.

Ah! well a-day! what evil looks
Had I from old and young!
Instead of the cross, the Albatross
About my neck was hung.