Genius - “Cowley”
Johnson expounds, "In the window of his (Cowley) mother's apartment lay Spenser's Fairy Queen; in which he very early took delight to read, till, by feeling the charms of verse…produce that particular designation of the mind, and propensity for some certain science or employment, which is commonly called Genius. The true genius is a mind of large general powers, accidentally determined to some particular direction." Reading "Spenser's Fairy Queen" activates Cowley's ingenuity. Although the reading is unplanned, it nurtures him to become a legendary, creative poet.
Liberty - “Milton”
Johnson writes, “He published about the same time his “Areopagitica, a speech of Mr. John Milton for the liberty of unlicensed printing." The danger of such unbounded liberty, and the danger of bounding it, have produced a problem in the science of government, which human understanding seems hitherto unable to solve." Absolute liberty permits writers to explore various topics freely without worrying about censorship. Unrestricted liberty would not be workable in case whereby the printing is not licensed by the government. The government would not encourage absolute liberty for it would result in printing which would activate the civilians' discontent.
Reputation - Cowley
Johnson elucidates, “When their reputation was high, they had undoubtedly more imitators than time has left behind. The immediate successors, of whom any remembrance can be said to remain were Suckling, Waller, Denham, Cowley, Cleiveland and Milton.” Reputation is substantial in the writing world, and reputable poets are imitated by the upcoming poets which amplifies their legacy. Moreover, commendable poets appeal to audiences which surges the readership of their works.
Religion - “Denham”
Johnson expounds, “And as he appears, whenever any serious question comes before him, to have been a man of piety, he consecrated his poetical powers to religion, and made a metrical version of the Psalms of David.” Denham drew inspiration from religion, specifically, the Bible, while composing his poems. His allusion to “Psalms of David” depicts the implication and applicability of religion in poetry.
