Poetry: the best words in the best order.

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

Pedantry consists in the use of words unsuitable to the time, place, and company.

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

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

In the hexameter rises the fountain's silvery column: In the pentameter aye falling in melody back.