That on the Folly of Ambition and a Name, was to open with the view of a large champaign desart country; in the midft of which was a large heap of fhapeless and deformed ruins, under the fhadow of which was feen a fhepherd's fhed, who at his door was tending a few fheep and goats. The ruins attract the eye of a traveller paffing by, who, curious to be informed of what he saw, addreffes himself to the shepherd, to know to what fuperb structures these ruins belonged. The fhepherd entertains him with an abfurd and fabulous account of ancient times, in which there were such traces of true history, that the traveller at length discovers, by the aid of the fabulous narrator, joined to certain marks in the ruins themselves, that this was the famous Blenheim, built, at the public expence, by a warlike nation, for the Deliverer of Europe, &c.

PREFACE

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HOMER'S ILIA D.

PREFACE

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HOME R'S ILI A D.

OMER is univerfally allowed to have had the HOMER greatest Invention of any writer whatever. The praise of Judgment Virgil has juftly contested with him, and others may have their pretenfions as to particular excellencies; but his Invention remains yet unrivalled. Nor is it a wonder if he has ever been acknowledged the greatest of poets, who most excelled in that which is the very foundation of poetry. It is the Invention that, in different degrees, diftinguishes all great Genius's: the utmoft ftretch of human study, learning, and industry, which master every thing befides, can never attain to this. It furnishes Art with all her materials, and without it, Judgment itself can at best but steal wifely: for Art is only like a prudent steward that lives on managing the riches of Nature. Whatever praises may be given to works of Judgment, there is not even a Ᏼ Ᏼ 4 fingle