of this fort may be useful; fince, if compiled with any fhare of judgement, it may at once unite precept and example, fhew them what is beautiful, and inform them why it is fo: I therefore offer this, to the beft of my judgement, as the best collection that has yet appeared: though, as tastes are various, numbers will be of a very different opinion. Many perhaps may wish to see in it the poems of their favourite Authors, others may wifh that I had selected from works lefs generally read, and others still may wish, that I had selected from their own. But my design was to give a useful, unaffected compilation; one that might tend to advance the reader's taste, and not impress him with exalted ideas of mine. Nothing fo common, and yet fo abfurd, as affectation in criticifm. The defire of being thought to

have

have a more difcerning tafte than others, has often led writers to labour after error, and to be foremoft in promoting deformity. In this compilation I run but few risques of that kind; every poem here is well

known, and poffeffed, or the public has been long mistaken, of peculiar merit: every poem has, as Ariftotle expreffes it, a beginning, a middle, and an end, in which, however trifling the rule may feem, most of the poetry in our language: is deficient: I claim no merit in the choice, as it was obvious, for in all languages. the best productions are most easily found.. As to the short introductory criticisms to each poem, they are rather defigned for boys than men; for it will be feen that I declined all refinement, fatisfied with being obvious and fincere. In fhort, if this work be useful in fchools, or amusing in the

the closet, the merit all belongs to others; I have nothing to boast, and, at best, can expect, not applause, but pardon.

THE

BEAUTIES

O F

ENGLISH POES Y.

The Rape of the Lock.

This feems to be Mr. Pope's most finished production, and is, perhaps, the most perfect in our language. It exhibits ftronger powers of imagination, more harmony of numbers, and a greater knowledge of the world, than any other of this poet's works: and it is probable, if our country were called upon to fhew a fpecimen of their genius to foreigners, this would be the work here fixed upon.

WHA

7HAT dire offence from am'rous caufes fprings, What mighty contests rife from trivial things, I fing-This verse to CARYL, Muse! is due: This, ev'n Belinda may vouchsafe to view : Slight is the fubject, but not fo the praise, If She infpire, and He approve my lays. VOL. I.

approve

Say

Say what frange motive, Goddess! could compel
A well-bred Lord t'affault a gentle Belle ?
O fay what franger caufe, yet unexplor'd,
Could make a gentle Belle reject a Lord?
In tasks so bold, can little men engage,
And in foft bofems dwells fuch mighty rage?
Sol thro' white curtains fhot a tim❜rous ray,
And ope'd thofe eyes that must eclipse the day:
Now lap-dogs gave themselves the rouzing shake,
And fleepless lovers, juft at twelve, awake:
Thrice rung the bell, the flipper knock'd the ground,
And the prefs'd watch return'd a filver found.
Belinda still her downy pillow prest;

Her guardian SYLPH prolong'd the balmy reft:
'Twas He had fummon'd to her filent bed
The morning dream that hover'd o'er her head.
A youth more glitt'ring than a birth night beau,
(That ev'n in flumber caus'd her cheek to glow)
Seem'd to her ear his winning lips to lay,
And thus in whispers faid, or feem'd to say.
Fairest of mortals, thou diftinguish'd care
Of thoufand bright inhabitants of air!
If e'er one Vifion touch thy infant thought,
Of all the Nurfe and all the Priest have taught ;

Of airy Elves by moonlight fhadows seen,

The filver token, and the circled green,

Or virgins vifited by Angel-pow'rs,

With golden crowns and wreaths of heav'nly flow'rs ;
Hear and believe! thy own importance know,
Nor bound thy narrow views to things below.

Some