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THE

ENGLISH PARNASSUS

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OF DIDACTIC, DESCRIPTIVE, PATHETIC, PLAINTIVE, AND PASTORAL POETRY, EXTRACTED FROM THE WORKS OF THE LATEST AND MOST CE

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The Mufe's office was by Heav'n defign'd

Tamufe, inftruct, and to reform mankind. CHURCHILL.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR G. KEARSLEY, AT JOHNSON'S HEAD, NO. 46, FLEET-STREET. 1789.

Of whom may be had The FLOWERS of TRAVELLING, in two Volumes, price 6s; and The FLOWERS of ANCIENT and MODERN HISTORY, two Volumes, price 6s. All felected by Mr. ADAMS.

OF

F the various kinds of literary compofition, there is hardly any, which has been, at all times, more cultivated, than that of Poetry. Poets have abounded in every age, in the rudeft and fimpleft, as well as in the moft polished and refined.

The first hiftorians were poets; and Homer and Offian," when the light of the fong arofe," recounted the virtues and exploits of their countrymen.

To expatiate on the delight and utility of Poetry would be fuperfluous. It is univerfally acknowledged, that

"No writing lifts exalted man fo high,
"As facred, and foul-moving Poefy."

What Shakespeare fays of "the man who has not. mufic in his foul," is equally applicable to the perfon, who has no relish for Poetry; that he is

"Fit for treasons, ftratagems, and spoils,
"And his affections dark as Erebus."

The following Selection is, in general, new, interesting, and entertaining. The greatest part of it is extracted from poetical productions of approved merit; and nothing is admitted, which has not a tendency, either to improve the taste of the young Reader, or to inspire fentiments of wisdom, virtue, and benevolence. An attentive perufal of this little work, it is hoped, cannot fail to inform the judgment, enliven the imagination, refine the affections, and meliorate the heart.

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