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Mr. ADDISON'S DISSERTATION Upon the moſt Celebrated Roman POETS, ALSO AN ESSAY UPON THE Roman Elegiac POETS.

By Major PACK.

The THIRD EDITION.

To which is Added, [...]n ESSAY upon Mr. ADDISON's Writings. By R. YOUNG, Eſq

LONDON: [...]inted for E. CURLL, over againſt Catherine Street in the Strand, 1721. Price 1s. 6d.

Nomina AUTHORUM.

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  • I. VIRGILIUS.
  • II. Lucretius.
  • III. Ovidius.
  • IV. Statius.
  • V. Lucanus.
  • VI. Claudianus.
  • VII. Horatius.
  • VIII. Juvenalis.
  • IX. Plautus.
  • X. Terentius.
  • XI. Seneca.
  • XII. Martialis.
  • XIII. Catullus.
  • XIV. Tibullus.
  • XV. Propertius.
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DISSERTATIO DE INSIGNIORIBUS ROMANORUM POETIS.

OMNIUM, in re Poeticâ, maxime inclaruerunt Romani, & Romanorum VIRGILIUS: Optimae quaeque Regulae, huic Arti inſervientes, non tam Criticorum Praeceptis, quam MARONIS exemplo, ſunt depromendae. Ut ideo de reliquis [4]Heroici Carminis Scriptoribus, recte ſtatuamus Virtutes & Vitia, quae apud ſingulos occurrunt, lectioni conferamus Virgilianae; qui, ſi ullibi defecerit Bucolicis, nonnunquam puriorem immiſcuit Styli elegantiam, quam quae Paſtoribus conveniat; & ſaepe grandior ſonat Carminum Majeſtas, quam quae tenui avenae conſona videatur. Apud quemlibet Georgicorum librum, inimitabili quâdam Sermonis Elegantiâ, Res ruſticae explicantur; ſed ultimus, de Apum Naturâ, valdè, praeter caeteros, animum delectat; ubi, dum in tenui Argumento procedit Poema, ſolennem quandam Sententiarum & Verborum Pompam ſtudiosè affectat Poeta. Apum ideo Opera Cyclopum aſſimulat Laboribus, nec majori Carminum tumultu AENEAE & TURNI recitat Certamina, [6]quam haſce Inſectorum Turmas inter ſeſe depraeliantes. Ubique exiguae Reipublicae Duces, Populi, Studia, Mores, & tenue illud Imperium, quod intra Alvearii Anguſtias exercetur, venuſtâ, neſcio quâ, Carminis Magnificentiâ exprimuntur: Quin hoc certe in toto Opere praecipue occurrit admirandum, quomodo, dum Plantationis, Paſtionis, & Agriculturae curas exequitur Poeta, omiſſis uſitatioribus loquendi formulis, materiae tam incultae locutionem Poeticam accommodaret; quomodo ignobiliori depreſſus Argumento nunquam ad Stylum Plebeium Orationem demiſerat: Sed tanta undique apparet Locutionum vis, ut multi (quamvis temerè) Georgicos etiam Aeneidi praetuliſſe non dubitarint; ſed in hoc Opere, per Argumentum, non licuit alias Poeſe [...]s Partes [8]praeftitiſſe, quam Styli & Deſcriptionum Elegantiam. Quod ad utrumque attinet, illud ſibi proprium ſemper vendicat MARONIS Pagina, ut, quicquid exprimat, mirâ quâdam Dulcedine animum ingrediatur, & quod deſcribat, melius quam ſi Oculis ſubjiciatur, tanquam praeſens intueamur.

In Styli puritate proxime accedit LUCRETIUS, cujus Dictio, ſi obſoletae aliquando Verborum Antiquitati, & Numeris pene ſolutis agnoſcas, illorum Palato, qui Romanè ſapiunt, perſuavis videatur. In Deſcriptionibus tamen CLAUDIANO ſecundus debetur Honos, qui amoenas Rerum Imagines ubique venuſtiſſimâ contexuit Oratione, in hoc ſolummodo vitioſus, quod fuſius, quam par eft, ſemper expatietur, eoſdemque [10]Verſus diverſis exponat Loquendi Modis. In hac Arte ſeſe maximè profeciſſe ſatis noverat CLAUDIANUS; de quacunque enim re ſatagit, aſſiduè ſemper quaerit quae deſcribenda ſunt, imo plurima ſumpſit Argumenta, quae tota in Deſcriptionibus occupantur, ut videre eſt in Praefationibus, in Idylliis, in Libris de raptu PROSERPINAE, de PHOENICE, HISTRICE, TORPEDINE, & pleriſque Epigramatum.

OVIDIUS (ut erat Aulici Ingenii Homo) terſo quidem & polito Carmine res exhibuit amatorias, in caeteris tamen Operibus iſtiuſmodi occurrit Sermo, quali in Triviis uti ſolent: Ille enim Ingenio [12]ſuo confiſus de operoſiori Dictione elaborandâ parum erat ſatis ſolicitus: In Libro tamen Metamorphoſe [...]s varias optime depinxit Animalium Mutationes, dum prior paulatim exuitur Forma & nova ſuperinducitur.

Utrumque hoc, quod jam tractamus, Poetis Officium non rarò optimè praeſtitit PAPINIUS; LUCANUS neutrum, cujus Dictio, quanquam multùm ſonat inflata, nullâ tamen Phraſeorum aut Epithetorum Venuſtate animatur, ſed Orationi magis ſolutae convenit, quam Poeticae; imo certe tali plerumque utitur Verborum delectû, qualem vel Liber dedignetur Sermo. Et quanquam in Deſcriptionibus ſaepiſſimè verſatur, & in hujuſmodi diverticula nunquam non [14]excurrit, raro tamen, ut debet, Opus abſolvit. Jam vero, quod ad STATIUM attinet, plurima certe compoſuit ſummis Poetarum invidenda, ſed, inter magnas Virtutes, maxima occurrunt Vitia. In Dictione enim Verba nimis admittit ſeſquipedalia, nullâque de Argumento habitâ ratione, vana numeris miſcet Tonitrua; Nec minus in Deſcriptionibus peccat; nimio enim calori indulgens, dum totis viribus excellere conatur, ultra Finem tendit opus, & in tumorem excreſcit. In utrumque hujuſmodi vitium aliquando incidit CLAUDIANUS. Jam vero, quoniam de VIRGILII Aeneidis Argumento varii multa ſcripſerunt & praeclara, pauca ſolummodo de STATII & LUCANI Carminibus ſunt advertenda; utpote, quae Latinorum omnium ſola Epica haberi [16]debent. De LuCANO id ſaepe in Diſputationem venit, an Hiſtoria, quâ conſtat Pharſalicum Poema, idoneum ſit Heroici Carminis Argumentum.

Vora ideo Heroicae Poeſe [...]s Natura inquirenda eſt, quam, apud Librum, de Dignitate & Augmentis Scientiarum, his Verbis, optime exhibuit VERULAMIUS Noſtras.

‘"De Poeſi Narrativâ, ſive eam Heroicam appellare placet (modo hoc intelligas de Materiâ, non de Verſu) ea a Fundame nto prorſus nobili excitata videtur, quod ad dignitatem humanae Naturae imprimis ſpectat. Cum enim Mundus ſenſibilis ſit, Animâ rationali, dignitate, inferior, videtur [18]Poeſis haec humanae Naturae largiri, quae Hiſtoria denegat; atque Animo, umbris rerum, utcunque ſatisfacere, cum ſolida haberi non poſſint. Si quis enim Rem acutius introſpiciat, firmum ex Poeſi ſumitur argumentum, Magnitudinem Rerum magis illuſtrem, Ordinem magis perfectum, & Varietatem magis pulchram, Animae humanae complacere, quam, in Naturâ ipſâ, poſt Lapſum, reperire ullo modo poſſit. Quapropter, cum Res geftae, & Eventus, qui verae Hiſtoriae ſubjiciuntur, non ſint ejus Amplitudinis, in quâ Anima humana ſibi ſatisfaciat, praeſto eſt Poeſis, quae Facta magis Heroica confingat: Cum Hiſtoria vera, ſucceſſus rerum, minime pro meritis Virtutum & Scelerum, narret; corrigit eam Poeſis, & exitus, [20]& fortunas, ſecundum merita, & ex lege Nemeſeos, exhibet: Cum Hiſtoria vera, obviâ rerum ſatietate & ſimilitudine, animae humanae faſtidio ſit; reficit eam Poeſis inexpectata & varia, & viciſſitudinum plena canens. Adeo ut Poeſis iſta, non ſolum ad delectationem, ſed etiam ad Animi magnitudinem, & ad Mores conferat. Quare & meritò etiam Divinitatis cujuſpiam particeps videri poſſit; quia animum erigit, & in ſublime rapit: rerum ſimulachra ad animi deſideria accommodando, non animum rebus (quod ratio facit & Hiſtoria) ſubmittendo."’ Ex quo ſatis patet, veram Hiſtoriam cum Epico Poemate male convenire; & proinde, LUCANUM, quoad Argumentum, maxime deſeciſſe. Quinque, in [...]illius Poemate, maxime emicant [22]Heroes, CAESAR, POMPEIUS, BRUTUS, CATO, & CICERO. Omnes ſane tam Vitâ inſignes, quam Morte luctuoſi; quorum Virtutes (quantum licuit per humanam Naturam) Perfectioni iſti Heroicae, quam reliqui Poetae Ducibus ſuis falsò tribuerunt, proxime acceſſerant. LUCANUS CAESARI undique oblatrat, POMPEII Partes ambitiosè fovet, ſed BRUTI & CATONIS Encomia, ob Stoicum (credo) illud Ingenium, quod cum his habuit commune, maxime celebrat: Et plurima certe, quae LUCANO objicias, Philoſophiae hujuſcemodi ſunt referenda. Inde immodicus iſte Ingenii tumor, & ambitioſa Sententiarum oſtentatio, quam, cum illâ Hominum turbâ ſemper habet in Deliciis; inde quae magna ſunt, quam quae bona ſunt, maluit [24]praeferre. Hinc etiam, in eximiâ illâ Poeſe [...]s Virtute, Paſſionibus excitandis, ipſe (qui omnes Philoſophiae Affectus tanquam illicitos exiſtimavit) malè ſucceſſerat, cujus Vitii unicum tantum (ut taceam caetera) Argumentum proferam. Poſtquam in Pugnâ Pharſalicâ CAESAR de POMPEIO Victoriam reportaverit, LUCANUS maximè debuit, ſi aliquid ab ipsâ Hiſtoriâ alienum protuliſſet, lugubri quodam Carmine immeritam doluiſſe POMPEII ſortem, quippe quem, in toto Opere, ſummo habuit honore; vel ſaltem ipſum POMPEIUM (ut ingens patuit Doloris Argumentum) aut de amiſsâ Romae Libertate, aut de Amicorum Mortibus, aut de propriis querentem Infortunns, introduxiſſe oportuit. Poeta tamen ab omni hujuſmodi [26]Dolore tam longè a beſt, ut POMPEIUM obnixè hortaretur, poſtquam victus a Bello deceſſerat, ut CAESARIS Victoris ſui commiſereſcat, quia nempè CAESAR non ſine Scelere Victoriâ potitus eſt;

[28]
Nonne juvat pulſum bellis ceſſiſſe, nec iſtud
Proſpexiſſe (nefas!) ſpumantes caede catervas?
Reſpice turbatos in curſu ſanguinis amnes,
Et Soceri miſerere tui; Quo pectore Romam
Intrabit factus campis felicior iſtis?

[30]Quis tulerit Poetam tam ridiculè philoſophantem? quaſi vero POMPEIUS Senex, Exul, Miſer, Triumphatus, ob Victorem ſuum quamvis ſceleſtum Commiſerationem quandam conciperet: Illum quidem maximè Stoicè ſapuiſſe oportuerat, qui omnibus hiſce Fortunae Donis ſpoliatus, tantum in nudâ Virtute poneret Felicitatem. Sed nullus Poetarum, niſi VIRGILIUS, hujuſmodi afficiat Dolore: Alii plerunque, dum moerorem aliquem Lectoribus inducerent, in illo peccant, quod nimiâ Prolixitate ſeſe in queſtus effundant, nec unquam ſatis Lachrymarum exhauſtum eſſe ſentiant, vel Ingenium, quod maximè poſſint, Verſibus infundendo, faciunt, ut magis Carmina miremur, quam materiam lugeamus. De utroque cavit VIRGILIUS, qui merâ [32]ſemper Simplicitate luctuoſa, ut in ſe ſunt, exhibuit; & levitèr quicquid dolet perſtrinxerat: ‘"Lamentationes enim, inquit CICERO, debent eſſe breves & conciſae, quia Lachryma ſubito exareſcit, & difficile eſt, Auditorem aut Lectorem, in ſummo illo animi animi affectu, tenere."’ Ut vero ad STATIUM redeamus, illi quidem Spiritus non rarò feliciter aſſurgit, cui dum temperare nequit, neſcio quas projicit Ampullas, & vana Carminibus addit Numerorum Terricula menta. THEBAIDIS quidem Argumentum Ingenii ſui Truculentiae, ſed non Heroico Poemati ſatis aptum videatur: ETEOCLES enim, POLYNICES, & TYDEUS, quorum geſta hoc Carmine celebrantur, nihil habent eorum, ſi unicam Fortitudinem demas, quae [34]conveniunt Heroibus: Imo, in toto Poemate, nulla niſi Scelerum, qualia ſunt Parricidii, Perfidiae, Immanitatis, Odiorum, proferuntur Exemplaria; dum in omnibus ferè, quos ſuo Carmine induxit VIRGILIUS, praeclara [...] quaedam illuceſcunt, & in ipſo AENEA ſummam Pietatem erga Deos, Natum, Conjugem, Amicos, & Parentem, Oculis ſemper habemus ſubjectam. Epitheta plerunque STATIANA multum ſonant metaphoricè, dum inanimatis illa tribuuntur, quae Animalibus conveniunt. In Verbis tamen, nec rarò ſinè maximâ Elegantiâ, Metaphoras conſectatur CLAUDIANUS; VIRGILIUS in utriſque parciſſimus; STATIUS plurimas rerum ſimilitudines compoſuit, multum ſaepè de VIRGILII Ingenio referentes, in quâ arte [36]meliùs ſucceſſerat LUCANUS, ſi aliquid unquam mediocre admiſerat; ſed dum VIRGILIUS ad Apes, ad Formicas, & iſtiuſmodi Naturae ludicra deſcendit, nihil unquam niſi Quercum fulminatam, Terrae Exitium, aut Mundi Conflagrationem ebuccinat LUCANUS. Et hiſce tandem, quorum alii non operae Pretium duxerunt meminiſſe, de Heroicis Scriptoribus brevitèr perſtrictis. De Satyricis reſtat dicendum; quorum omnium JUVENALIS & HORATIUS Palmam dubiam quidem fecerunt: Inter Literatos enim multum diſcrepat, utrum mordax illa Ingenii acerbitas, quâ ſuam armavit paginam JUVENALIS, an potius HORATII feſtivae Irriſiones, magis Satyrae conveniant: Ut vero de utroque rectiùs, ſtatuatur, pauca prius ſunt advertenda. [38]Ob infamem vitae ſuae laſciviam, etiam nunc temporis, malè audit HORATIUS; Virtutem tamen ſemper rigide coluit JUVENALIS: Ille in abſolutiſſimâ AUGUSTI Aulâ verſatus eſt, hic in peſſima DOMITIANI Tempora incidiſſet: Proinde, ut ad ſua & Saeculi utriuſque Ingenia Opera accommodarent Poetae, HORATIUS totus in ludicro exercetur Argumento, nec Morum Licentiam, ſed indecoras quaſdam Aulicorum Ineptias plerunque inſectatur; non ideò abfuiſſet quin irrideretur, ſi, aliquâ Styli ſeveritate, ad leviuſcula hujuſmodi caſtiganda, ſe accinxiſſet: Graviſſima tamen in Temporibus ſuis reprehendit JUVENALIS, & de Vitiis ubique queritur, quae vel pudeat recitare, & iſti ſanè Materiae, ſumma [40]Mentis Indignatio, Orationis Ardor, & Ingenii Acrimonia, rectiſſime aptari videantur. Quamvis ubi ad Jocularia Animum demittit, non rarò Satyris Feſtivitatem fundit HORATIANAM. Uterque ideo (modo diverſum conſulas Argumentum) ſuo quidem Genere perfectiſſimus emicuit; in illo Ridiculum Acri melius, in hoc Acre Ridiculo.

[42]Reliqua certe HORATII Opera, Admiratione potius ſunt digna quam Encomiis, nec majora ſolum Vituperatione, ſed etiam Laude.

Jam vero, quod ad Dramaticos attinet, PLAUTI & TERENTII Argumenta, Sales, Elegantiae ubique adeò vulgantur, ut nihil de novo poſſit adjici.

[44]De SENECA vero tam diverſe ſentiunt, ut alii inter ſummos Tragicorum, alii infra Infimum annumerent: Illi quidem Ingenium valde magnum, Oratio elegans & conciſa, abundat Sententiis plerunque acutis, Stoicam ſemper Philoſophiam, quam amplexus eſt, redolentibus. Unde omnibus fere, qui Artem Dramaticam parum ſapiunt, ſemper eſt in Deliciis; ſi tamen ad hanc reſpicias, Tragoediae ubique plurimum laborant, & iſtud vitii (ut reliqua praetermittam) SENECAE peculiare videatur, ut quoſcunque inducat Interlocutores, nullâ, ad Perſonas quas ſuſtinet, habitâ ratione, eundem ſemper unicuique tribuat loquendi modum: Omnes ſeveriora ſpirant Philoſophiae Dogmata, & quae Stoae magis conveniant, quam [46]Theatro. Eâdem ſemper Styli Magnificentiâ ſuperbiunt Rex, & Nuncius: Imo ipſam Nutricem (plurima enim tam acute profert) Stoicorum Praeceptis non mediocritèr imbutam ſentias.

Inter Epigrammatiſtas potiſſimùm emicuerunt MARTIALIS & CLAUDIANUS; Ille ſemper, in extremo Poemate, Ingenii ſubjecit acumen, & ſaepe ſimilia inſequitur Verborum Tintinnabula; Hic, per totum Epigramma, ſuum diſpergit Salem; & venuſtiſſimâ ubique utitur Latinitatis Elegantiâ.

[48]Caeterum tamen Poetarum Vulgus, de iſtiuſmodi mediocribus ſunt, quos nec Dii nec Homines conceſſerunt; & quamvis una aut altera apud affectatas CATULLI Cantatiunculas, TIBULLI aut PROPERTII inhoneſtam paginam, & Carmina incurioſa, illuceſcat Virtus, non tamen eſt Operae Pretium Gemmas inter Stercora eruere.

A DISSERTATION Upon the moſt Celebrated Roman POETS.

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OF all the Nations in the World, the Romans have moſt excelled in the Art of Poetry, and even, among the Romans, VIRGIL has been the moſt deſervedly celebrated; from whom the juſteſt Rules of this Art are rather to be taken, than from the dry Precepts of the Criticks. To the End, therefore, that we may the more truly aſcertain the Beauties, and Faults, which occur among the reſt of the Writers of Heroic Poetry, let us [5]compare them with the Style of VIRGIL; who, if he be in any Thing deficient, it is, when he has ſometimes in his Eclogues mingled ſuch a Purity of Style, as is not entirely agreeable with the Dialect of Shepherds; and frequently the Dignity of his Verſe ſeems no way conſonant to the Rural Pipe. In every Book of his Georgicks, he treats of Country Affairs with an inimitable Elegancy of Style; but, above all, we are moſt delighted with his laſt Book, Of the Nature of BEES; where, in a Poem on ſo inconſiderable a Subject, our Author purpoſely affects a peculiarly ſolemn and pompous Style. In this Piece he compares the Labours of the BEES to thoſe of the Cyclops; and in the ſame lofty Numbers recounts the Skirmiſhes of theſe little Inſects among themſelves, as he does the [7]Rencounters of AENEAS and TURNUS. All along, the Generals of this ſmall Republick, the Populace, the Factions, the Cuſtoms and Forms of Government exerciſed within the narrow Limits of the Bee-hive, are deſcribed with an inexpreſſible Beauty and Magnificence. Throughout the whole Work, what moſtly raiſes our Admiration, is, that in the Perſuit of his Diſcourſe on Planting, Grazing, and Agriculture, (waving the common Forms of Speech) he ſuits his Poetick Diction to ſo unpolite a Theme; how, ſeemingly depreſſed with the Meanneſs of his Subject, he never ſinks into a Plebeian Style; but the Force and Energy of his Expreſſion are ſo conſpicuous, that many, too raſhly indeed, have not ſcrupled to prefer the Georgicks to the Aeneid: But in [9]a Work of this Nature, no other Parts of Poetry could be diſplayed, except an Elegance of Style and Deſcription: In both theſe Ways VIRGIL has this, peculiar to himſelf, that he captivates the Soul with his wonderful Sweetneſs, and his Deſcriptions are as Lively, as if we had the Object placed before our Eyes.

In the Purity of his Style next follows LUCRETIUS, whoſe Diction, allowing for his Obſoleteneſs, and Numbers almoſt Proſaick, may challenge a Share of Praiſe, in thoſe who have any Taſte of the Roman Eloquence: For Deſcriptions however, the ſecond Poſt of Honour is due to CLAUDIAN, who has throughout, in a moſt beautiful Style, interwoven his agreeable Images; faulty in this alone, that [11]he expatiates upon his Subjects beyond all Decency, and frequently gives us the ſame Thoughts, diverſified only in Expreſſion. CLAUDIAN well knew what a Maſter he was in this Art, for on whatſoever Topick he is engaged, he diligently ſearches out Matter for Deſcription, nay moſt of the Subjects he has wrote upon, are wholly ſuch, as may be ſeen in his Prefaces, his Eclogues, his Books of the Rape of PROSERPINE, his Phoenix, his Porcupine, his Cramp-fiſh, and moſt of his EPIGRAMS.

OVID (like a true Courtier as he was) deſcribes the Affairs of Love in neat and polite Verſe. In the reſt of his Works we meet with the more vulgar Way of Expreſſion; for truſting [13]to a good Genius, he was little ſoli [...]itous about forming a more elaborate Stile: but yet, in his Metamorphoſes, he has Painted, in the greateſt Perfection, the various Changes of all Creatures, and the Transformations proceed in a moſt eaſy and gradual manner.

STATIUS has frequently diſcharged both theſe Requiſites of a Poet, we juſt now obſerved; LUCAN neither, whoſe Diction, altho' very bombaſt, is not enlivened either by beautiful Phraſes or Epithets, but comes nearer Proſe than Poetry; nay, there is in him commonly ſuch a mean Choice of Words, as is ſometimes even beneath Profe itſelf: And although he abounds in Deſcriptions, and is always making Excurſions of that Kind, yet he ſeldom finiſhes his [15]Work as he ought, or brings his Thoughts to any Juſtneſs of Concluſion.

But now, as to STATIUS, he has given us Compoſitions worthy of the Envy of the beſt Poets. But with all his Beauties, he has greater Faults; for, in his Expreſſion, he makes too much uſe of Gigantick Words; and, not conſidering his Subject, mingles uſeleſs Thunder in his Numbers; Nor is he leſs faulty in his Deſcriptions; for, encouraging too great a Heat, while he attempts to excel, he ſhoots beyond his Mark, and ſwells unnaturally. Of both which Extreams CLAUDIAN is too often guilty.

And now, ſince there have been many Pieces written, and thoſe of Note, [17]on the Subject of VIRGIL's Aeneis, (and leſs notice is taken of the Poetry of STATIUS and LUCAN) to whoſe Productions only the Latins allow the Title of Epick Poetry. As to LUCAN, it has been often diſputed, whether Hiſtory, of which the Pharſalia conſiſts, be a proper Subject for an Heroick Poem. For the Deciſion of this Point, we muſt enquire into the true Nature of Heroick Poetry, which our Countryman, the Lord BACON, has admirably deſcribed in his Treatiſe of The Advancement of Learning. ‘"—[As for Narrative Poeſie, or, if you pleaſe, Heroical, (ſo you underſtand it of the Matter, not of the Verſe) it ſeems to be raiſed altogether from a noble Foundation, which makes much for the Dignity of Man's Nature. [19]For, ſeeing this ſenſible World is, in Dignity, inferior to the Soul of Man, Poeſie ſeems to endow human Nature with that which Hiſtory denies; and to give Satisfaction to the Mind, with, at leaſt, the Shadow of Things, where the Subſtance cannot be had. For, if the Matter be thoroughly conſidered, a ſtrong Argument may be drawn from Poeſie, that a more ſtately greatneſs of Things, a more perfect Order, and a more beautiful Variety delights the Soul of Man, than any Way can be found in Nature ſince the Fall. Wherefore, ſeeing the Acts and Events, which are the Subject of true Hiſtory, are not of that Amplitude, as to content the Mind of Man, Poeſie is ready at Hand to feign Acts more Heroical: [21]Becauſe True Hiſtory reports the Succeſſes of Buſineſs not proportionable to the Merit of Virtues and Vices, Poeſie corrects it, and preſents Events and Fortunes according to Deſert, and according to the Law of Providence: Becauſe True Hiſtory, thro' the frequent Satiety and Similitude of Things, works a Diſtaſte and Miſpriſion in the Mind of Man; Poeſie cheereth and refreſheth the Soul, chaunting Things rare, and various, and full of Viciſſitudes. So as Poeſie ſerveth and conferreth to Delectation, Magnanimity, and Morality; and therefore it may ſeem deſervedly to have ſome Participation of Divineneſs, becauſe it accommodates its Images and Deſcriptions to the utmoſt Deſire and Wiſh of the Soul, [23]not ſubjecting the Mind to Things or Facts, as Reaſon and Hiſtory do."]’ From whence it is ſufficiently manifeſt, that Hiſtory and Epick Poetry are by no means proper Companions; and therefore, that LUCAN has very much failed in his principal Subject: The five Heroes, who make the greateſt Figure in his Poem, are CAESAR, POMPEY, BRUTUS, CATO, and CICERO; each of them indeed as diſtinguiſhable in their Lives, as to be lamented in their Deaths; Men, whoſe Virtues, allowing for the Frailties of Human Nature, came neareſt to that Pitch of Heroick Perfection, which other Poets have falſely attributed to their Heroes. LUCAN every where ſnarls at CAESAR, and paſſionately eſpouſes POMPEY's Intereſt; but moſt of all, celebrates [25]the Characters of BRUTUS and CATO, for that Spirit of Stoiciſm, which he had equally imbibed with them: And, indeed, moſt of the Faults objected to LUCAN, are rather to be imputed to this Kind of Philoſophy. From whence ſprung that boundleſs Vein of Wit, and that peculiar Affectation of a lofty Style; which, like that Sect of Men, he always delighted in, and therefore gives the Preference rather to Great, than Good Actions. And upon this Account, in raiſing the Paſſions, (that moſt excellent Part of Poetry) he ſucceeded but ill; becauſe, upon the Principles of his Philoſophy, the Paſſions themſelves were accounted as abſolutely unlawful. To confirm this, (paſſing by many others) I will produce but one Inſtance: After CAESAR [27]had obtained the Victory over POMFEY, in the Battle of Pharſalia, LUCAN certainly, (if he had enlarged on any Circumſtance foreign to Hiſtory it ſelf) ſhould, upon ſo remarkable an Occaſion, have lamented the undeſerved Fate of POMPEY, in the moſt mournful Strain; eſpecially ſince he pays ſo high a Deference to him throughout his whole Work; or, at leaſt, (as there was an open Field for Grief) he ſhould have introduced POMPEY, either complaining of Rome's loſt Liberty, the Death of his Friends, or his own Misfortunes. But LUCAN is ſo far from raiſing the Paſſions to this juſt Heighth, that he warmly adviſes POMPEY (when vanquiſhed, he retires from the Field of Action) to commiſerate the Condition of his Conqueror CAESAR, [29]becauſe he had not won the Day, but by unjuſtifiable Methods.

Don't you rejoice that your ſuperiour Foes
Have ſnatch'd you from a Scene of future Woes?
That bleſt in Exile you eſcape the Sight
Of Armies bleeding in domeſtick Fight?
Behold each River drags her tardy Flood,
Choak'd up with Carnage and diſtain'd with Blood;
Your Victor-Sire with pitying Eyes ſurvey,
Nor envy him the Fortune of the Day.
How ſhall he enter Rome devoid of Shame,
Who on the publick Ruins builds his Name?

[31]Who can bear to hear the Poet Philoſophizing in this ridiculous Manner? As if POMPEY, a Man in Years, an Exile, Miſerable, and Vanquiſhed, ſhould have any Concern upon him for the Crimes of his Conqueror: He ought to have been very much ſtoicized indeed, who, deſpoiled of all the Goods of Fortune, could place the Sum of his Felicity in meer naked Virtue. But none of the Poets have touched this Paſſion of Grief like VIRGIL. The Generality of other Writers, when they attempt to move their Readers, offend in this Point, that they are too prolix in ſpinning out their Complaints, and think their Flood of Tears inexhauſtible; or elſe, while they labour to expreſs the Greatneſs of their Genius, in the Profuſeneſs of their Verſe, rather [33]raiſe our Admiration at the Flowing of their Numbers, than excite our Pity in the Cataſtrophe of their Story. VIRGIL has carefully avoided both theſe Extreams, and dreſſes his Images of Sorrow in their Native Simplicity; and where-ever he touches upon the Pathetick, he does it with a maſterly quickneſs: For, according to CICERO, Our expreſſions of Grief ought to be ſhort and conciſe, becauſe our Tears quickly dry up, and it is unnatural to detain either an Auditor or Reader in too long a Suſpenſion of Grief.

But to return to STATIUS, his Spirit is indeed lofty and aſpiring, to which while he gives too great a Looſe, he runs into Bombaſt, and to his Poetry often adds uſeleſs ſounding Words. The Subject of his Thebais [35]ſeems indeed ſuited to the Barbarity of his Genius, but is beneath the Dignity of an Heroick Poem. For neither ETEOCLES, POLYNICES, nor TYDEUS, whoſe Actions are recorded in this Poem, have any thing in them, except their Fortitude, agreeable to Heroes: Nay, throughout the whole Piece, there are no Examples produc'd, unleſs of Perſons infamous for the moſt flagitious Enormities, ſuch as Parricide, Treachery, Cruelty, and Revenge; while, on the contrary, every Thing Praiſe-worthy ſhines bright in VIRGIL's Heroes; and in the Perſon of AENEAS we have plac'd before our Eyes an Inſtance of conſummate Piety towards the GOD's, his Son, his Wife, his Friends, and his Father. The Epithets of STATIUS are generally [37]forced and very metaphorical, while ſuch Properties are aſcribed to Inanimates, as really only belong to Animals. In the Choice of his Words, and frequently in his Metaphors, he is followed by CLAUDIAN with the utmoſt Elegance. VIRGIL is ſparing in both theſe Particulars; STATIUS abounds much with Similitudes, in which he ſeems to imitate VIRGIL; but in this Inſtance LUCAN had had better Succeſs, if he had hit upon the proper Medium: But while VIRGIL ſtoops down to the humble Subjects of Bees, Ants, and other ſuch like delightful Themes of Nature; on the other Hand, LUCAN bellows out nothing but Stories of Oaks ſplit by Lightening, Earthquakes, and the World's Conflagration. Let this, in ſhort, ſuffice, [39]obſervable, concerning the Writers of Heroic Poetry, in itſelf New, and never before taken Notice of.

Something now remains to be ſaid of the Satyriſts, among whom whether JUVENAL or HORACE have moſt Right to the Bays, it is dfficult to determine; for it has been long a Diſpute among the Learned, whether that Keenneſs and Bitterneſs of Expreſſion with which JUVENAL has armed his Satires, or HORACE's more jocoſe Lampoons are moſt agreeable to the End of SATIRE. Now that we may give a clearer Deciſion on this Head, a few Things muſt be premiſed. HORACE bears, to this Day, an ill Character for the Looſeneſs of his Conduct in Life. JUVENAL was a rigid [41]Practiſer of Virtue. The one was converſant in the moſt perfectly polite Court of AUGUSTUS; the other lived in the Dregs of DOMITIAN's Time; and therefore both theſe Poets accommodated their Writings to the Manners of the different Ages they lived in: For HORACE is intirely upon the ludicrous, and perſues not ſo much the Licentiouſneſs of the Times, as the ridiculous Fopperies of ſome particular Courtiers; for had he attempted to correct theſe Trifles with Severity, he had not miſſed of being laughed at: But JUVENAL laſhes the groſſeſt Crimes prevalent in his Time, and complains of Enormities which one would be aſhamed to mention; and nothing leſs than the higheſt Reſentmemt of Soul, Ardency of Expreſſion, and Sharpneſs [43]of Speech, could be an equal Match to Crimes ſo notorious; though whenever he deſcends to be jocoſe, we frequently meet with the Pleaſantry of HORACE. Both of them, allowing for the different Manner of their Writing, are perfect Maſters in their ſeveral Ways; in the one, the Ridicule appears better than the Severe, in the other, the Severe better than the Ridicule.

The reſt of HORACE's Pieces are ſo admirable, that they exceed our higheſt Encomiums, and are not only beyond our Diſlike, but above our Praiſe.

As to what concerns the Dramatic Poets, PLAUTUS and TERENCE bear away the Bell, whoſe Plots, Turns, and Elegancy of Style, are ſo well known, that nothing New can be ſaid upon them.

[45]As ro SENECA, Mankind have had different Opinions of him; ſome have ranked him with the beſt Tragoedians, others have ſunk him below the worſt. He certainly had a great Genius, an elegant and conciſe Way of Expreſſion; he abounds with ſmart Turns, which always ſavour much of that Stoiciſm of which he was a Follower, upon which Account he has always been eſteemed by thoſe who have had little or no Taſte of Dramatic Poetry; but then if we conſider him as ſuch, his Tragedies are throughout too elaborate; and this, to paſs by his other Faults, ſeems peculiarly SENECA's, that he makes all his Actors (without any Regard to the Characters they bear) talk in the ſame Strain; all of [47]them inculcate rigid philoſophical Dogmata, and ſuch Morality as is rather fit for the Schools of the Stoicks, than the Roman Theatre: For with him the King and the Slave ſtrut in the ſame Buskin; nay, you may perceive the Nurſe herſelf deeply tinged with the Principles of Stoiciſm.

Among the Epigrammatiſts, MARTIAL and CLAUDIAN have bore the greateſt Reputaion; the firſt, for the ſevere Point in the Cloſe of his Epigrams, and the peculiar Jingle of his Words. The other, for diſperſing the Poignancy of his Wit throughout his Epigrams, and that in the moſt beautiful Latin Phraſe.

[49]The reſt of the lower Claſs of the Latin Poets creep ſo low in their Numbers, that they are beneath the Notice either of GODS or Men: And tho' we may now and then diſcover in the affected Songs and Sonnets of CATULLUS, and the obſcene POETRY of TIBULLUS and PROPERTIUS, ſome not diſagreeable Pieces, yet it is not worth our while to rake the Dunghills for the ſake of the JEWELS.

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TENTAMEN De POETIS Romanis ELEGIACIS.

SAepe Mecum ipſe mirari ſoleo, Ex tot tantiſque viris in Antiquâ claſſicorum Poetarum paginâ Transferendâ, vel operosè, vel commodè Jucundèque Verſatis, tam paucos Extitiſſe, Qui Elegiarum Scriptores, vel dignos operâ ſua Judicaverint, [52]vel quidem ſuo otio dignos. Haud Ego quidem poſſum credere, quin Hi in propriâ ſcribendi Normâ perinde feliciter Succeſſerint, atque alii; ac proinde cum non minori Emolumento, quam cum voluptate Legantur. Ad me quod Attinet, Affirmare poſſum, Eam fuiſſe ſemper animi temperationem mei, ut Eandem vel caſui protervè fortuito vel Difficultati rerum procaciter obliquae Stomachantem, Longe facilius Lenire me, atque mulcere potuiſſe Senſerim, Dulcem optando Comitem Tibullum, quam vel Philoſophorum Lectiones vel praecepta Theologorum Conſulendo. Quicquid enim eſt ſolenne valde, id omne, aliquam, neſcio quam, prohibitoriam Coactionis faciem, prae ſe ferre atque oſtentare videtur. Adeoque eſt paene ſemper inauſpicata aut Diſcentis [54]cujuſlibet aut Docentis Indoles, Ut, Ex quovis ſeverioris diſciplinae Genere, noſtrae potius poena voluntatis, quam mentis Emendatio Naſcatur. Verbis Enim ita ſtrenue contendere, ut, munus eſſe rectae rationis, hoc vel illud agere, mens hominum convicta fateatur, non eſt res duri forſitan plena Negotii: At vero, ad illud idem munus obeundum, aliquem fortiter & Suaviter Impellere, Hic eſt plane operoſus flexanimae Orationis Labor, Hoc ſummum Artis Miſterium. Digna quidem Haec Horatii Sententia, quae altâ mente repoſta maneat.

Virtus eſt Vitium fugere, & ſapientia prima
Stultitiâ Caruiſſe.

Annon Eodem prorſus Jure dicere poſſimus, E voluntariâ quadam Erumnarum [56]noſtrarum Oblivione primum Surgere ad felicitatem gradum. Quem quidem Si aſſequi Optume Volumus, non debere nos cogitabundam nimis, ſollicitamque illam, quae nobis eſt Inſita, particulam Exuſcitare; tumultuantes autem rerum ideas Mulcere, & motos animi fluctus Componere, multomagis opportere Confido.

Donec Noſtra hujuſmodi Corpuſcula, Miſera illa quidem & vacillantia navigiola, incertum hujus vitae curſum tenent, & in prope medium uſque oceanum immani & feroci ventorum vi pelluntur, Longe ab aſpectu Littoris hoſpitibus Manſueti; Certo Certius eſt, Navigantes in illis animas Noſtras, Gaudia permagna Intùs Oborientia Sentire, Quando ab Ingruenti extrinſecùs procellâ [58]ipſae ſeſe quaſi furtim Retrahentes, & Laevatius affectantes iter, Leniter natant voluptatis aquas, placidâque fruuntur paſſionis aurâ Secundo (ut ita dicam) teneritatis flumini Conjunctâ.

Occulta quaedam Ineſt Carminibus Incantatio, quae nunquam non ſolet benè formatum pectus gratâ dulcedine afficere; atque Ego quidem Opinor, in Probae illius atque Ingenuae Claſſis Poetarum, Catulli nempe, Tibulli, Propertii, & Ovidii verſibus, aliquid, neſcio quid, ſingulare atque valde patheticum Exiſtere. Certum Eſt, inter illa Elegiaci ordinis carmina, Catulli perpauca eſſe aptè Judicatòque numeranda. At, quandocunque teneriora humanitatis argumenta tractat, Minervae ſuavem afflant odorem ſententiae omnes, proprietatem [60]prietatem vel accuratiſſimam ſapiunt, Summamque redolent Elegantiae amaenitatem. Ac proinde nihil aliud agere potui, quam ut Inſigne ipſius nomen in ſociorum eâdem ſtudiorum ratione valentium numerum referrem. Eminebant Hi Quatuor, in Patriâ ſuâ, clari Natalibus, &, ut tum erant tempora, re pluſquam mediocri Fruebantur. Ad voluptatem traxit ſua quemque Indoles; ſinguli vero, rectâ uſi ratione, eò ſapientiae proceſſerunt, ut, & publici pravitatem negotii, & caducam prorſus Elati faſtus incertique honoris Exploraverint inanitatem. Tres Priores Jure merito dicantur Triumviratum perinde Illuſtrem conſtituiſſe, atque ulla unquam protulit Aeta [...]; Siquidem vivendi modum ſplendidè otioſum ſpectemus. Perpolitis ornati moribus, Rerum copia [62]affluentes, bene ſuccedentes in amoribus, ſummâ cum familiaritate ſibi Invicem beatè conjuncti, Quamdiu vixerunt, tamdiu uſque viguere humani Generis deliciae; & tandem cum a vivorum regionibus diſceſſerunt, eas utique omnes diſceſſum Lugentes Reliquere. Quantum ad Ovidium attinet, erat ille quidem omnibus illis Apprimè ornatus & morum & ingenii dotibus, quae ad abſolutè fingendum hominem planè generoſum conducere poſſe videantur. Quippe Iratus illi Auguſtus, vel quod Inſperatò iſtius imperatoris occultae Laſciviae teſtis aderat fortuitus, vel quod proprios a mores (utilli ſpeciosè vertebatur Crimini) impudicè nimis deſcribebat, Eundem Annum habentem Quinquageſimum Ex Italia in Exilium mittebat. Exul reliquum miſeriae [64]vitae tempus Languidè valdè conſumens inter ſauromatas in Civitate (cui nomen recens Temeſwaer, uti putant Nonnulli) Extremum obiit Diem. Hujuſmodi Suppliciorum Exempla non niſi Bina in omnibus Hiſtoriarum Monumentis Eſſe credo reperienda, ubi, quod eſt punitum (ſi malum quam duriſſimè appellemus) illud inconſideratè ſolummodo atque temerè factum vocare poſſumus; Alterum Ovidii Perſonae ſorte Contigit, Rabutini alterum. Horum quidem Principes, pari certè, illoque ſupremo dominandi Jure Gaudebant, Sapientiâ fruebantur Pari, paribus Suſpicionibus angebantur.

Haec Geniorum, quibus Hi Erant praediti, perexigua ſanè delineatio, Nos abundè doceat rectè Judicare, quantum [66]Scientiae lumen, quamque dulce & Elegans Emolumentum, Compoſitiſſima quaeque Horum Poetarum themata, mentibus afferant benè atque nitidè preparatis. Ac Revera, Quam in amicitia fidem inviolatam, Quos teneros in amore Impulſus, Quam in propinquos Benevolentiam aſſiduam, Quae tandem omnium virtutum Moralium Monumenta intuemur? Quae videmus Exemplaria? Quae, quaeſo Utique, non videmus? Ut mille Ingenii ornamenta Omittam, ut praeteream miram illam Dulcedinem & felices muſicae numeros poeticae tenerè Cadentes, Ut taceam denique Genuinas illas & quaſi Iammodo Spirantes vitae Imagines, quae quidem Efficiunt, ut vix, primâ facie, opinemur, Scenam Earandem in ſaeculo perinde remoto fuiſſe repraeſentatam, atque [68]nobiſcum magis ipſi cogitantes revera ſentimus.

Una Porro objectio non eſt ſilentio praetereunda: Quippe Crimini in univerſo paenè orbe Chriſtiano Ducitur Hiſce Poetis, nimiam in inhoneſtis rerum ideis Excogitandis Licentiam, nimiamque in eiſdem exprimendis obſcenitatem Affectaſſe.

Sed tamen eſt certum quid reſpondeam. Siquando, parva Blanditiarum ſuarum quaſi ſtratagemata Explicantes, tali verborum uſi ſint delectu, qualem Religioſa dedignaretur morum ſimplicitas, ortam indé tamen vitioſam oblectationem omnem, non ſingulari cuidam turpitudini ab his unicè affectatae, ſed Communi potiſſimum [70]atque Effrenatae illius, in quâ viguere, aetatis Licentiae attribuere nos debere contendo. Siquidem ejuſdem reum criminis Agimus Horatium; Habere certe debemus confitentem reum. Porro autem ipſe Virgilius, cujus ad Coelos uſque tollitur Modeſtia, Multa in Bucolicis ſcripſit, quae, apud nos, Laſciva atque ab honeſtate remota ponuntur. Ne plura, totum argumentum Haec Unica Conſideratio Determinat. Qui animum bonis & Intaminatis vitae Inſtitutis retinet Imbutum, ille cum hiſce Authoribus verſari facillimè poteſt, Omnis Expers periculi contagionis. Atque Quantum ad eos ſpectat, Quorum Improbitas ſuperat Ingenium (Execrabilius autem accidere fatuo nihil poteſt) illi Proprii & inſenſati quidem vitii tempeſtate abrepti, aras [72]focoſque & res omnes quam maxumè ſacras, Nequiſſimi cujuſque facinoris perpetrandi gratâi, proſternent. At, Quandoquidem Omnia horum poetarum Carmina, uti erant primitùs & Latinè ſcripta, tute & ſine labe Legi queant; ſingula tamen, ſalvâ morum pietate, anglicè reddi poſſe, Minimè Contendo. Sed, quum multa poſſint; Dolendum videtur, Linguam Anglicanam non perfrui pluribus, quippe quae Ditiorem redderent Sermonem noſtrum, atque pleniorem Dulcium varietate Imaginum, quae aequè ſunt innocuae, atque ſunt ſuaves.

Qui vero hujuſce operis provinciam in ſe Suſceperint, illi profecto deſudabunt, Cum novos paſsim invenient Labores Ex crebris clauſulis ad ritualem [74]Religionis cultum & ſuperſtitioſa quaelibet Dogmata altè reſpicientibus Oriundos. Hiſce Exemplis abundant Ea Carmina, in quibus Reperitur maxima vis Libidinis: Nempe Laſciviae Lenocinari Superſtitio Jugitèr ſolet. Quantum autem ad illa attinet, quae non indecora Tralatione digna ſunt, Eaquidem Omnia, paucis illuſtrata Commentariis, non ſolum Erunt Intellectu facilia, verum Etiam Lectoribus merè Anglicanis magnam afferent Voluptatem.

AN ESSAY UPON THE Roman ELEGIAC POETS.

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I Have often wondered, that, among ſo Many, who have Buſied or Diverted Themſelves in Tranſlating the Ancient Claſſick POETS, ſo Few have thought the Writers of ELEGY Worthy their Pains, or Amuſement. I cannot but Believe that, [53] Theſe have ſucceeded as happily in their Way, as the Others, and that They may be Read with no leſs Advantage than Pleaſure. For my own Part, I can affirm, that when at any time my Mind hath been ruffled by ſome peeviſh Accident or Diſappointment, I have always found my temper ſooner Compoſed by taking a Turn with TIBULLUS in my Hand, than by having recourſe to the Leſſons of PHILOSOPHY, or the Precepts of DIVINES. Whatever is very ſolemn, carrieth with it, I don't know how, ſomewhat of Conſtraint: And it frequently happens by an unlucky Diſpoſition either in the Pupil, or the Preacher, that Thoſe ſeverer Kinds of Diſcipline (I ſpeak not This with the leaſt Irreverence) ſerve rather to Puniſh, than Reform Us. It [55]is perhaps no Difficult Matter to Convince One of the Reaſonableneſs of This or That Action, but the Secret lies in Engaging One in the Practice. It is a Memorable Sentence of a Celebrated MORALIST This,

Virtus eſt vitium fugere, & Sapientia prima
Stultitiâ caruiſſe.—Horat.

‘"It is the Beginning of VIRTUE to Depart from VICE; and the Firſt Step towards WISDOM is to Forſake our FOLLY."’ May it not as juſtly be ſaid, The Firſt Step towards HAPPINESS is to Forget our MISERY? The beſt Method to bring That about is not, I preſume, by Alarming the THINKING FACULTY, but by Soothing and Lulling to Reſt our too Active and Unquiet REFLECTIONS.

[57]WHILST Our poor tottering BARK continues in This Uncertain Voyage of Life, and is ſo often kept out at Sea in rough and ſtormy Weather, far from the ſight of any Hoſpitable Shoar, the SOUL, its PASSENGER, cannot ſure but feel a mighty Satisfaction ariſing within, when ſhe finds Herſelf afterwads Stealing, as it were, away under ſmoother Courſes, and born gently down the Tide of TENDERNESS in ſoft and eaſie Gales of PASSION.

THERE is a Charm in VERSE that never fails agreeably to Affect a Heart that is rightly plac'd: And there is, in my Opinion, ſomething peculiarly moving in the VERSES of That Good-natured Claſs of POETS CATULLUS, TIBULLUS, PROPERTIUS, and OVID. [59]There are but Few Pieces of CATULLUS, it is true, that can ſtrictly be ranked among Thoſe of the ELEGIAC ORDER: But whenever HE doth Touch upon the ſofter Subjects of HUMANITY, his Sentiments have the utmoſt Propriety and Delicacy; and therefore I could not but mention HIM among His Companions. They were, All Four, Men of Family and Condition in their Country. Their Inclinations led Them naturally to PLEASURE, and Their Good Senſe to a Diſcovery of the Knavery of BUSINESS, and the Vanity of AMBITION. The Three Former may be ſaid to have Been as Extraordinary a TRIUMVIRATE, as, perhaps, any Age hath Produced, I mean in an Idle Way of Life: Polite in their MANNERS; Eaſie in Their FORTUNES; Succeſsful [61]in Their AMOURS; Happy in each Other's ACQUAINTANCE; Beloved, in general, while they LIVED; and Univerſally Lamented, when They DIED. As for OVID, He was certainly Maſter of all the fine Qualities and Accompliſhments that could be deſired in a GENTLEMAN. But having Offended AUGUSTUS, either by Happening to be an Unexpected Witneſs of that EMPEROR's Love-Intrigues, or elſe by too laſciviouſly Deſcribing His Own (which was the Crime Pretended) He was Baniſhed from ITALY in his Fiftieth Year; and Languiſhed out the Remainder of His Days at TAMOS (the Modern TEMESWAER as ſome think) There are I believe but two Inſtances in Story of a Puniſhment like This for What, at the worſt, could [63]be called only an Indiſcretion: One in the Perſon of OVID, The Other in That of RABUTIN. Their Maſters were equally Abſolute, equally Wiſe, and equally Jealous.

[65]FROM this Little Draught of Their Characters, One may judge how Edifying any of Their Compoſitions muſt needs be to an Elegant Underſtanding. [67]And, indeed, What Sincerity in FRIENDSHIP, What Fondneſs in LOVE, What Kindneſs to RELATIONS, What Inſtances of all the Social VIRTUES do We not meet with in Their Writings? Not to mention a thouſand Ornaments of Wit, a wonderful Sweetneſs, and eaſy Cadence in their Numbers, and ſo True a Picture of Life, that one can ſcarce Fancy the Scene to lye at the Diſtance it is placed.

[69]THERE is One Objection, which I muſt not paſs over, and that is generally charged upon Theſe POETS: Imean, Their too great Licenſe, and Obſcenity in Their Ideas and Language,

To This I would Reply, That if upon ſome Occaſions, They ſeem not to have been very Scrupulous about the Terms They made uſe of in Communicating their Amorous Adventers, it ought not to be imputed to a Scandalous Singularity in THEM, but to the Common [71] Indulgence of the AGE in which They Flouriſhed. HORACE muſt Plead Guilty to the ſame Indictment. Nay, VIRGIL Himſelf, as Applauded as HE is for Modeſty, hath left many Expreſſions in his ECLOGUES that might be Argued of Wantonneſs. After All, the whole Matter will turn upon this Single Point. A Perſon whoſe Principles are Uncorrupted may freely Converſe with Theſe AUTHORS without Danger of Infection: And for Such who have more Wickedneſs than Wit (the greateſt Curſe that can befal a FOOL) their ſenſleſs Vice will tempt Them to Pervert even the moſt Sacred Things to the vileſt Purpoſes. However, though All their POEMS may be Read in the Originals with Safety, I do not pretend to ſay They can All [73]be Tranſlated with Decency. But ſince Many of Them may, it is Pity, I think, We have not More of Them in ENGLISH, to Enrich our Language with a Variety of Pleaſing Images that are as Innocent, as they are Delightful.

THERE is One Difficulty that will ſtill lye upon the Hands of Any who ſhall Undertake this Work, and This ariſeth from their frequent Alluſions to the Ceremonies ând Notions of Their RELIGION. Inſtances of This abound even in Thoſe Copies of their Verſes that are writ the moſt in the Spirit of LEWDNESS: (As SUEPRSTITION hath ever been an Eſpecial Bawd to LUST) But for All ſuch as are Proper to be Tranſlated, they may be Rendered by [75]a few Explanatory Notes not only Intelligible, but very Entertaining, to a mere ENGLISH Reader.

FINIS.
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Zitationsvorschlag für dieses Objekt
TextGrid Repository (2020). TEI. 5281 Mr Addison s dissertation upon the most celebrated Roman poets Also an essay upon the Roman elegiac poets By Major Pack The third edition To which is added an essay upon Mr Addison s writings. University of Oxford Text Archive. . https://hdl.handle.net/21.T11991/0000-001A-5BD2-1