BOMBAST, in composition, is a serious endeavour, by strained description, to raise a low or familiar subject beyond its rank; which, instead of being sublime, never fails to be ridiculous. The mind in some animating passions is indeed apt to magnify its objects beyond natural bounds; but such hyperbolical description has its limits; and when carried beyond these, it degenerates into burlesque, as in the following example.
Sejanus.—Great and high,
The world knows only two, that's Rome and I.
My roof receives not; 'tis air I tread,
And at each step I feel my advance'd head
Knock out a star in heaven.