The Iliad of Homer - Get a Free Blog

attentively in comparison with Virgil
above all the ancients, and with Milton
above all the moderns. Next these, the
Archbishop of Cambray's Telemachus
may give him the truest idea of the spirit
and turn of our author; and Bossu's admirable
Treatise of the Epic Poem the
justest notion of his design and conduct.
But after all, with whatever judgment and
study a man may proceed, or with
whatever happiness he may perform such
a work, he must hope to please but a few;
those only who have at once a taste of poetry,
and competent learning. For to satisfy
such a want either, is not in the nature
of this undertaking; since a mere modern
wit can like nothing that is not modern,
and a pedant nothing that is not Greek.
What I have done is submitted to the public;
from whose opinions I am prepared
to learn; though I fear no judges so little
as our best poets, who are most sensible