[480]Lib. I. Sat. IV. 43.[481]De Art. Poet.℣335.[482]Ibid. 23.[483]See p. 45. of the Author's Preface to theÆneis, where the Comparison between these two Poets is drawn out at large. As the Case is commonly stated,Homerexcell'd inFireandInvention, andVirgilin Judgment; but Dr.Trappdoes not allowHomer's Superiority in any Respect. "It is a great Error (says he) to think that all Fire consists in quarrelling and fighting, as do three Parts in four ofHomer's, in hisIliad. The Fire we are speaking of is Spirit and Vivacity, Energy of Thought and Expression, which Way soever it affects; whether it fires us by Anger, or otherwise, nay, tho' it does not fire us at all, but even produces a quite contrary Effect. However it may sound like a Paradox, it is the Property of this poetical Flame, to chill us with Horror, and make us weep with Pity, as well as kindle us with Indignation, Love, or Glory. Not thatVirgilis deficient in that Sort of Fire, the fierce, the rapid, the fighting."Mr.Pope's Sentiments of these two Poets are somewhat different; the Reader shall have the Pleasure of comparing them; "This Fire (says he) is discern'd inVirgil, but discern'd as thro' a Glass, reflected, and more shining than warm, but every where equal and constant: InLucan, andStatius, it bursts out in sudden, short, and interrupted Flames: InMiltonit glows like a Furnace, kept to an uncommon Fierceness by the Force of Art: InShakespear, it strikes before we are aware, like an accidental Fire from Heaven: But inHomer, and in him only, it burns every where clearly, and every where irresistibly."Pope's Translation ofHomer'sIliad. Dr.Trappcriticizes on this Passage.[484]Lib. III. Ep. VII.[485]Thebaid. L. X.[486]De Art. Poet. 132.[487]Lib. I. Ep. XIX. 19.[488]Lucret. IV. 1.
[480]Lib. I. Sat. IV. 43.
[480]Lib. I. Sat. IV. 43.
[481]De Art. Poet.â„£335.
[481]De Art. Poet.â„£335.
[482]Ibid. 23.
[482]Ibid. 23.
[483]See p. 45. of the Author's Preface to theÆneis, where the Comparison between these two Poets is drawn out at large. As the Case is commonly stated,Homerexcell'd inFireandInvention, andVirgilin Judgment; but Dr.Trappdoes not allowHomer's Superiority in any Respect. "It is a great Error (says he) to think that all Fire consists in quarrelling and fighting, as do three Parts in four ofHomer's, in hisIliad. The Fire we are speaking of is Spirit and Vivacity, Energy of Thought and Expression, which Way soever it affects; whether it fires us by Anger, or otherwise, nay, tho' it does not fire us at all, but even produces a quite contrary Effect. However it may sound like a Paradox, it is the Property of this poetical Flame, to chill us with Horror, and make us weep with Pity, as well as kindle us with Indignation, Love, or Glory. Not thatVirgilis deficient in that Sort of Fire, the fierce, the rapid, the fighting."Mr.Pope's Sentiments of these two Poets are somewhat different; the Reader shall have the Pleasure of comparing them; "This Fire (says he) is discern'd inVirgil, but discern'd as thro' a Glass, reflected, and more shining than warm, but every where equal and constant: InLucan, andStatius, it bursts out in sudden, short, and interrupted Flames: InMiltonit glows like a Furnace, kept to an uncommon Fierceness by the Force of Art: InShakespear, it strikes before we are aware, like an accidental Fire from Heaven: But inHomer, and in him only, it burns every where clearly, and every where irresistibly."Pope's Translation ofHomer'sIliad. Dr.Trappcriticizes on this Passage.
[483]See p. 45. of the Author's Preface to theÆneis, where the Comparison between these two Poets is drawn out at large. As the Case is commonly stated,Homerexcell'd inFireandInvention, andVirgilin Judgment; but Dr.Trappdoes not allowHomer's Superiority in any Respect. "It is a great Error (says he) to think that all Fire consists in quarrelling and fighting, as do three Parts in four ofHomer's, in hisIliad. The Fire we are speaking of is Spirit and Vivacity, Energy of Thought and Expression, which Way soever it affects; whether it fires us by Anger, or otherwise, nay, tho' it does not fire us at all, but even produces a quite contrary Effect. However it may sound like a Paradox, it is the Property of this poetical Flame, to chill us with Horror, and make us weep with Pity, as well as kindle us with Indignation, Love, or Glory. Not thatVirgilis deficient in that Sort of Fire, the fierce, the rapid, the fighting."
Mr.Pope's Sentiments of these two Poets are somewhat different; the Reader shall have the Pleasure of comparing them; "This Fire (says he) is discern'd inVirgil, but discern'd as thro' a Glass, reflected, and more shining than warm, but every where equal and constant: InLucan, andStatius, it bursts out in sudden, short, and interrupted Flames: InMiltonit glows like a Furnace, kept to an uncommon Fierceness by the Force of Art: InShakespear, it strikes before we are aware, like an accidental Fire from Heaven: But inHomer, and in him only, it burns every where clearly, and every where irresistibly."Pope's Translation ofHomer'sIliad. Dr.Trappcriticizes on this Passage.
[484]Lib. III. Ep. VII.
[484]Lib. III. Ep. VII.
[485]Thebaid. L. X.
[485]Thebaid. L. X.
[486]De Art. Poet. 132.
[486]De Art. Poet. 132.
[487]Lib. I. Ep. XIX. 19.
[487]Lib. I. Ep. XIX. 19.
[488]Lucret. IV. 1.
[488]Lucret. IV. 1.