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which this Diſparity is remarkable, but content myſelf with ſaying in general, that the Criticiſms, which there is room for on this Tranſlation, may be almoſt an Incitement to ſome Lawyer, ſtudious of Antiquity, to learn Latin.
The Inſcription which I now proceed to confider, wants no Arguments to prove its Antiquity to thoſe among the learned who are veiled in the Writers of the darker: Ages, and know that the Latin Poetry of thoſe Times was of a peculiar Caſt and Air, not eaſy to be underſtood, and very difficult to be imitated; nor can it be conceived that any Man would lay out his Abilities on a Way of writing, which though attained with much Study could gain him no Reputation, and engrave his Chimæras on a Stone to aſtoniſh Poſterity.
Its Antiquity therefore is out of Diſpute, but how high a Degree of Antiquity is to be aſſigned it, there is more Ground for Enquiry than Determination. How early Latin Rhymes made their
Appear
