The PREFACE.
There are but Two the World has yet brought forth,
Homer and Virgil: With what awful sound
Do those meer Words the Ears of Poets wound!
Just as a Changling seems below the rest
Of Men, or rather is a two-leg'd Beast:
So these Gigantick Souls amaz'd we find
As much above the rest of Humane Kind.
Nature's whole strength united! Endless Fame,
And Universal Shouts attend their Name.
Read Homer once, and you can read no more,
For all things else appear so dull and poor,
Verse will seem Prose, yet often on him look,
And you will hardly need another Book.
[The Earl of Mulgrave's Essay on Poetry.]
After what has been said in favour of Epick Poetry, it may be expected I should say something in behalf of my Author, and give the World some account of the Reasons that induc'd me to Translate it: But before I do either, I must beg leave to premise a word or two, which to the more Judicious may not seem to be a Digression.
To Criticise upon any Author, is no such easie matter as some may imagine: But to pass a true and impartial Judgment upon the Writings of the Poets, may be justly reckon'd one of the hardest parts of Criticism. Every little Pretender is not fit for such an Undertaking. It requires a large but regulated Fancy, a sound, solid, and penetrating Judgment, deep, piercing, and steady Thoughts, a long and obstinate Course of Study, much and certain Experience, a clear and perfect insight into Poetry and all its parts; but above all, the utmost stretch of Humanity and good Nature. Every one that reads Homer and Virgil, cannot be presum'd to understand them perfectly: Nor are all that understand these Authors to be admitted as competent Judges oftheir
