and if it be granted, that I have some little Advantage over them, I owe it wholly to the great Men of Antiquity, whom I have read with more Care, and without doubt with more Leisure. I speak of Homer, of Plato, and Aristotle, and of some other Greek and Latin Authors, which I study continually, that I may form my Taste on theirs, and draw out of their Writings, the Justness of Wit, good Sense and Reason.
I know very well, That there are now a days some Authors, who laugh at these great Names, who disallow the Acclamations which they have receiv'd from all Ages, and who would deprive them of the Crowns which they have so well deserv'd, and which they have got before such August Tribunals. But for fear of falling into Admiration, which they look upon as the Child of Ignorance, they do not perceive that they go from that Admiration, which Plato calls the Mother of Wisdom, and which was the first that opened Mens Eyes. I do not wonder that the Celestial Beauties, which we find in the Writing of these incomparable Men, lose with them all their Attractives and Charms, because they have not the Strength to keep their Eyes long enough upon them. Besides, it is much easier to despise than understand them. As for my self, I declare, that I am full of Admiration and Veneration for their Divine Geniuses: I have them always before my Eyes, as venerable and incorruptible Judges; before whom I take pleasure to fansie, that I ought to give an Account of my Writings. At the same time I have a great Respect for Posterity, and I always think with more Fear than Confidence, on the Judgment that will pass on my Works, if they are happy enough to reach it. All this does not hinder me from esteeming the great Men that live now. I acknowledge, that there are a great many who are an Honour to our Age, and who would have adorn'd the Ages past. But amongst these great Men I speak of, I do not know one, and there cannot be one, who does not esteem and honour the Ancients who is not of their taste, and who follows not their Rules. If you go never so little from them, you go at the same time from Nature and Truth; and I shall not be afraid to affirm, that it wou'd not be more difficult to see without Eyes, or Light, than 'tis impossible to acquire a solid Merit, and to form the Understanding by other means, than by those that the Greeks and Romans have traced for us: whether it be that we follow them by the only force of Natural Happiness, or Instinct, or that Art and Study have conducted us thither. As for those who thus blame Antiquity, without knowing of it, once for all I'll undeceive them, and make it appear, that in giving all the Advantage to our Age, they take the direct Course to dishonour it; for what greater Proofs can be of the Rudeness, or rather Barbarity of an Age, than in it to hear Homer called dull and heavy, Platotiresome
