not have been the Cause of the second, nor the second a Consequence of the first.
These two parts of the Ilaid are joyn'd together very regularly. If Achilles had never fell out with Agamemnon, he would have fought in person, and not have expos'd his Friend singly against Hector, under those Arms that were the cause of this Young man's Rashness and Death. And besides, the better to joyn these two parts with one another, the second is begun a great while before one sees what Event the first ought to have. All the Articles of the Reconciliation are propos'd, and one might say, that this Reconciliation, with respect to Agamemnon, is made before the Death of Patroclus, and even before it was ever thought of exposing him to a Battel. There was nothing more wanting but Achilles's Consent: and since that was not given till the Death of Patroclus had made him resolve upon that of Hector; it may be truly affirmed, that the Anger and the Revenge of Achilles against Hector, which is nothing else but the second part of the Poem, is the only cause of the Reconciliation, which finish'd the first part.
But for the Unity of a Body, it is not enough that all its Members be natural, and duly united and compacted together; 'tis farther requisite, that each Member should be no more than a Member; an imperfect Part, and not a finish'd compleat Body. This is the third Qualification we said was necessary to preserve the Unity of the Epick Action.
For the better understanding of this Doctrine, we must take notice that an Action may be entire and compleat two ways: The first is, by perfectly compleating it, and making it absolutely entire with respect to the principal Persons that are interested therein, and in the principal Circumstances which are employ'd about it. The second way is by compleating it only with respect to some Persons, and in some Circumstances that are less principal. This second way preserves the Action in its regular Unity, the other destroys it. We will give you an Instance of each.
The Greeks were assembled together to revenge the Affront offer'd to Menelaus, and to force the Trojans to restore him his Wife, whom Paris had stollen away. There happens a Difference between Agamemnon and Achilles. This last being highly incens'd, abandons the Common Cause, and withdraws himself; so that in his Absence Agamemnon's Army was worsted by the Trojans. But the Boldness of the King of Kings puts him upon engaging the Enemy without Achilles. Away he marches to give them a general Assault with all his Forces.
The Fight began with the Duel between Menelaus and Paris. They sight without Seconds, upon Condition that Helen should be the Conquerour's; and the War decided by this Combat. Tho' the Anger of Achilles was the Cause of this Combat, and whatever Interesthe
