xxxiiL  xxxiv.)  There  is  also  a  vast  amount  of
alchemical  learning  from  the  Almagest,  and  an
exposition  of  the  pseudo-Aristotelian  philosophy
of  the  middle  ages.  The  author's  fiincy  lies  almost
buried  imdcr  the  mass  of  his  learning,  and  his
laborious  composition  shows  none  of  Chaucer's
humor,  or  passion,  or  love  of  nature.  In  the  lan-
guage of  the  new  school  of  poetry,  to  which  Chau-
cer's genius  had  given  birth,  Gowcr  embodies  most
of  the  faults  of  the  romance  writers.  StiU  he  has
hia  merits.  "  The  vivacity  and  variety  of  his  short
verses  evince  a  correct  ear  and  a  happy  power,  by
the  assistance  of  which  he  enhances  the  interest  ii:
a  tale,  and  frequently  terminates  it  with  Mtisfoctiou


to  the  reader."  (W.  W.  Lloyd  in  Singer's  Shak-
spearc,  vol.  iv.  p.  261.)  The  Saxon  element  is  as
conspicuous  in  liis  language  as  in  Chaucer's ;  but  ho
uses  a  larger  number  of  French  woi-ds,  as  might
have  been  expected  from  his  early  habits  of  compo-
sition. The  frequent  want  of  skill  in  the  construc-
tion of  his  sentences  shows  that  it  was  no  easy  task
for  him  to  write  so  long  a  work  in  EngUsh.  There
ore  some  forms  peculiar  to  him,  as  Isigh  for  IsaWf
and  nouglit  for  not.  He  seldom  uses  alliteration.
