If, where the rules not far enough extend, 150 Th' intent propos'd, that License is a rule. 155 VER. 146. If, where the rules, etc.] "Neque enim roga. "tionibus plebifve fcitis fancta funt ifta præcepta, fed hoc, "quicquid eft, Utilitas excogitavit. Non negabo autem fic utile "effe plerumque; verum fi eadem illa nobis aliud fuadebit "Utilitas, hanc, relictis magiftrorum autoritatibus, fequemur." Quintil. lib. ii. cap. 13. : VER. 150. Thus Pegasus, etc.] He first describes the fublime flight of a Poet, foaring above all vulgar bounds, to snatch a grace directly, which lies beyond the reach of a common adventurer. And afterwards, the effect of that grace upon the true Critic whom it penetrates with an equal rapidity; going the nearest way to his heart, without paffing through his Judgment. By which is not meant that it could not ftand the test of Judgment; but that, as it was a beauty uncommon, and above rule, and the Judgment habituated to determine only by rule, it makes its direct application to the heart; which once gained, foon opens and enlarges the Judgment, whofe concurrence (it being now set above forms) is easily procured. That this is the poet's fublime conception appears from the concluding words: and all its end at once attains. For Poetry doth not attai all its end, till it hath gained the Judgment as well as Heart In profpects thus, fome objects please our eyes, } And rife to faults true Critics dare not mend. 160 165 I know there are, to whose presumptuous thoughts Those freer beauties, ev'n in them, feem faults. 170 Some figures monftrous and mis-fhap'd appear, Confider'd fingly, or beheld too near, 175 Which, but proportion'd to their light, or place, 180 VER. 175. A prudent chief, etc.] Oîóv tɩ wažoı vi próvipa σρατηλάται και τὰς τάξεις τῶν σφαλυμάτων-Dion. Hal. De Struct. orat. VER. 180. Nor is it IIomer nods, but we that dream.] "Mo Still green with bays each ancient Altar stands, See from each clime the learn'd their incense bring! In praise fo juft let ev'ry voice be join'd, Whose honours with increase of ages grow, 186 190 As ftreams roll down, enlarging as they flow; 195 "defte, et circumfpecto judicio de tantis viris pronunciandum “est, ne (quod plerifque accidit) damnent quod non intelligunt. "Ac fi neceffe eft in alteram errare partem, omnia eorum legentibus placere, quam multa difplicere maluerim. Quint. 66 VER. 183. Secure from flames, from envy's fiercer rage, Destructive war, and all-involving age.] The Poet here alludes to the four great causes of the ravage amongst ancient writings: The deftruction of the Alexandrine and Palatine libraries by fire; the fiercer rage of Zoilus and Mævius and their followers against Wit; the irruption of the Barbarians into the empire; and the long reign of Ignorance and Superftition in the cloifters. To teach vain Wits a fcience little known, T'admire fuperior fenfe, and doubt their own! 200 Man's erring judgment, and mifguide the mind, 205 210 215 What wants in blood and spirits, fwell'd with wind: 225 Th' eternal fnows appear already past, And the first clouds and mountains feem the laft: A perfect Judge will read each work of Wit VER. 233. A perfect Judge, etc.] " Diligenter legendum eft ac pæne ad fcribendi follicitudinem: Nec per partes modo "fcrutanda funt omnia, fed perlectus liber utique ex integro "refumendus." Quint. VER. 235. Survey the whole, nor feek flight faults to find, Where nature moves, and rapture warms the mind ;] The fecond line, in apologizing for those faults which the first fays fhould be overlooked, gives the reafon of the precept. For when a writer's attention is fixed on a general View of Nature, and his imagination warm'd with the contemplation of great ideas, it can hardly be but that there must be small irregularities in the difpofition both of matter and ftyle, because the avoiding these requires a coolness of recollection, which a writer fo bufied is not mafter of. VER. 225. VARIATIONS. So pleas'd at firft the tow'ring Alps to try, The Traveller beholds with chearful eyes The lefs'ning vales and feems to tread the fkies. |