'The great end and object of poetry, and consequently, the proper aim of the poet, is to communicate to us a clear and perfect idea of his proposed subject. What the painter exhibits by variety of colour, by light and shade, the poet expresses in appropriate language. The former seizes only the external form, and that only in a given attitude. The other surrounds his object, pierces it, and discloses its most hidden qualities. With the former, it is inert and motionless; with the latter, it lives and moves; it is expanded or compressed; it glares upon the imagination, or vanishes into air, and is as various as Nature herself. 'The simple description of natural objects is perhaps to a young mind the most delightful species of poetry, and was probably the first employment of the poet. It may be compared to melody in music, which is relished even by the most uncultivated ear. In this department Virgil is an exquisite master.[32] Still more lively are the conceptions of Dante, still more precise the language in which they are expressed. As we follow him, his wildest excursions take the appearance of reality. Compared with his vivid hues, how faint, how delicate, is the colouring of Petrarca! yet the harmony of the tints almost compensate for their want of force. With accurate descriptions of the face of Nature the works of Lorenzo abound; and these are often heightened by those minute but striking characteristics, which though open to all observers, the eye of the poet can alone select. Thus the description of an Italian winter, with which he opens his poem of _Ambra_[33], is marked by several appropriate and striking images. 'The foliage of the olive appears of a dark green, but is nearly white beneath. "L'uliva in qualche dolce piaggia aprica Secondo il vento par or verde or bianca." "On some sweet sunny slope the olive grows, Its hues still changing as the zephyr blows." 'The flight of the cranes, though frequently noticed in poetry, was perhaps never described in language more picturesque than the following, from the same poem. "Stridendo in ciel, i gru veggonsi a lunge L'aere stampar di varie e belle forme; E l'ultima col collo steso aggiunge Ov' è quella dinanzi alle vane orme." "Marking the tracks of air, the clamorous cranes Wheel their due flight, in varied lines descried; And each with outstretched neck his rank maintains, In marshal'd order, through th' ethereal void." The following picture from his _Selve d'amore_ is also drawn with great truth and simplicity.