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Monsieur Bossu's Treatise
OF THE
EPICK POEM.
BOOK I.
Of the Nature of the Epick Poem;
and of the Fable.
CHAP. I.
The Design of the whole Work.
Arts, as well as Sciences, are founded upon Reason, and in both we are to be guided by the Light of Nature. But in Sciences, neither the Inventers, nor the Improvers of them, are to make use of any other Guides but this Light of Nature: Whereas on the other hand, all Arts depend upon a great many other things, such as the Choice and Genius of those, who first invented them, or of those who have labour'd at them with an Universal Applause.
Poetry is of this Nature: And thò Reason might have first founded it, yet it cannot be deny'd but that the Invention of Poets, and the Choice they have been pleas'd to make, have added thereto both its Matter and Form. 'Tis then in the excellent Pieces of Antiquity we are to look for the Fundamentals of this Art: And, they are only to be rely'd on, to whom all others yield the Gloryof
