The PREFACE.
vention. If the First had more Flame, the Last had more Phlegm, and tho the Poems of the one had more Spirit in them, yet the Æneid of the other was more Correct. On the other hand, if we do not meet with those perfect Hero's, and those noble Ideas of Vertue in Homer, as are to be seen in Virgil, 'tis to be attributed more to the unhappiness and Imperfections of the times the Greek Poet liv'd in, than to any want of Judgment and skill. In a word they are both excellent in their kind, and if Homer seems better than Virgil, 'tis because it was his fortune to be born first: As on the contrary, if any one thinks the Latin Poet to be best, 'tis because he had so excellent a Model to imitate. However the case is, yet 'tis evident they both had large Genius's, and such as no others, as we know of, could stand in Competition with.
Now it is not to be wonder'd at, if by the great performances of such an extraordinary Genius as animated Homer and Virgil, many great, extraordinary and almost miraculous Effects were produc'd. Love, Admiration, and Esteem were the common Tributes which the Vulgar paid to the Venerable Name of Poet. They were so charm'd with the sweetness of all Poetical Composures, that they look'd upon what the Poet said as Divine, and gave the same credit to it, as to an Oracle. Hence it came to pass that all the Poets Writings were among the Heathen reckon'd as so many Lessons or Sermons of Morality, which polish'd the Manners, smooth'd the Temper, and civiliz'd the Disposition of the most Barbarous Nations. Nor is it unreasonable to Imagine that even the Refinedness of Athens was owing more to the Poets, than to the Philosophers instructions. Of all that has been said in favour of the Poets, Homer may claim a great share, since if we will believe Horace in the Case, his [1]Writings were more instructive and useful,
- ↑ Plenius ac melius Chrysippo aut Crantore dicit. Ep. ad Loll.
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