4.]-- When Cicero was in the height and heat of an eloquent harangue, many were struck with admiration; but Cato only laughed, saying, "We have a pleasant (mirth-making) consul." Let it go before, or come after, a good sentence or a thing well said, is always in season; if it neither suit well with what went before, nor has much coherence with what follows after, it is good in itself.

I am none of those who think that good rhyme makes a good poem.

Let him make short long, and long short if he will, 'tis no great matter; if there be invention, and that the wit and judgment have well performed their offices, I will say, here's a good poet, but an ill rhymer.
"Emunctae naris, durus componere versus." ["Of delicate humour, but of rugged versification." -- Horace, Sat, iv.

8.] Let a man, says Horace, divest his work of all method and measure, "Tempora certa modosque, et, quod prius ordine verbum est, Posterius facias, praeponens ultima primis Invenias etiam disjecti membra poetae." ["Take away certain rhythms and measures, and make the word which was first in order come later, putting that which should be last first, you will still find the scattered remains of the poet." -- Horace, Sat., i.

4, 58.] he will never the more lose himself for that; the very pieces will be fine by themselves.