Opinion: Tho’ in ancient times it might have gone near to banish us from Smyrna or Colophon, yet at present it is become perfectly harmless; and we may any where assert, "That Homer’s Poems are of Human Composition; inspired by no other Power than his own natural Faculties, and the Chances of his Education: In a word, That a Concourse of natural Causes, conspired to produce and cultivate that mighty Genius, and gave him the noblest Field to exercise it in, that ever fell to the share of a Poet.”
Here, My Lord, there seems to be occasion for a little Philosophy, to put us, if possible, upon the Track of this singular Phænomenon: It has shone for upwards of two thousand Years in the Poetick World; and so dazzled Men's Eyes, that they have hitherto been more employed in gazing at it, than in inquiring What formed it, or How it came there? And very fortunately, the Author of all Antiquity, who seems to have made the happiest union of the Courtier and the Scholar, has determined a Point that might have given us some trouble. He has laid it down as a Principle, “That the greatest Genius cannot excel without Culture; Nor the finest Education produce any thing Noble without Natural Endowments[1].” Taking this for granted, We may assure ourselves that Homer hath been happy in them both; and must now follow the dark
- ↑ Horat. De Arte Poet.
