ARGUMENT

OF THE FIRST EPISTLE.

Introduction.-Relation between Hiftory and PoetryDecline of the latter.-Subject of the prefent Poem flightly touched by the Ancients.-DIONYSIUS-LUCIAN.-Importance and advantage of Hiftory-its origin-fubfequent to that of Poetry-difguifed in its infancy by Prieftcraft and Superstition—brought from EGYPT, into GREECE.-Scarcity of great Hiftorians

-Perfect compofition not to be expected.—Addrefs to Hiftory, and Characters of many ancient Hiftorians -HERODOTUS-THUCYDIDES-XENOPHONPOLYBIUS-SALLUST-LIVY-TACITUS.-Bio

graphy-PLUTARCH.-Baleful influence of defpo

tic power-AMMIANUS MARCELLINUS ANNA COMNENA.

A N

E S S A Y

ON

HISTORY.

H

EPISTLE I.

IGH in the world of Letters, and of Wit,

Enthron'd like Jove, behold Opinion fit !

As symbols of her sway, on either hand

Th' unfailing urns of Praise and Cenfure ftand; *

On thee, O GIBBON! in whofe fplendid page
ROME fhines majestic 'mid the woes of age,
Miftaken Zeal, wrapt in a prieftly pall,
Has from the bafer urn pour'd darkest gall:
These stains to Learning would a Bard efface
With tides of glory from the golden vase,
But that he feels this nobler task require
A fpirit glowing with cogenial fire-

A VIRGIL only may uncenfur'd aim
To fing in equal verfe a LIvy's fame :
Yet while Polemics, in fierce league combin'd,
With favage difcord vex thy feeling mind;
And rashly stain Religion's just defence,

By grofs detraction and perverted fense;

ΤΟ

20

Thy wounded ear may haply not refuse

The foothing accents of an humbler Muse.
The lovely Science, whofe attractive air
Derives new charms from thy devoted care,
Is near ally'd to that enchanting Art,
Which reigns the idol of the Poet's heart.

25

Tho'

Tho' fifter Goddeffes, thy guardian maid
Shines in the robe of fresher youth array'd,

Like PALLAS recent from the brain of Jove,

When Strength with Beauty in her features ftrove; While elder Poefy, in every clime

The flower of earliest fall, has past her prime

The bloom, which her autumnal cheeks fupply,

Palls on the Public's philosophic eye.

What! tho' no more with Fancy's ftrong controul

31

Her Epic wonders fascinate the foul;

36

With humbler hopes, the wishes ftill to please

By moral elegance, and labour'd ease:

Like other Prudes, leaves Beauty's loft pretence,

49

And strives to charm by Sentiment and Senfe.
Yet deaf to Envy's voice, and Pride's alarms,
She loves the rival, who eclips'd her charms;

Safe in thy favour, fhe would fondly stray

Round the wide realm, which owns that Sifter's fway,

Sing the juft fav'rites of historic fame,

And mark their pureft laws and noblest aim.

B 3

45

My

في

My eyes with joy this pathless field explore,

Crofs'd by no RoMAN Bard, no GREEKS of yore. Those mighty Lords of literary fway

Have pafs'd this province with a flight survey : 50

E'en He, whose bold and comprehensive mind

Immortal rules to Poefy affign'd,

High Prieft of Learning! has not fix'd apart

The laws and limits of hiftoric Art:

Yet one excelling * GREEK in later days,
The happy teacher of harmonious phrase,
Whose patient fingers all the threads untwine,

55

And + LUCIAN! thou, of Humour's fons fupreme! Haft touch'd with livelieft art this tempting theme.

Ver. 55. See NOTE II.
Ver. 63. See NOTE III.