ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST EPISTLE. Introduction.-Defign of the Poem to remove prejudices. which obftruct the cultivation of Epic writing.-Origin of Poetry.—Honors paid to its infancy.-Homer the first Poet remaining.—Difficulty of the question why he had no Succeffor in Greece.-Remark of a celebrated Writer, that as Criticifm flourishes Poetry declines.— Defence of Critics.—Danger of a bigoted acquiefcence in critical Systems-and of a Poet's criticifing his own. works.-Advantages of Friendship and Study of the higher Poets. EPISTLE I. ERISH that critic pride, which oft has hurl'd PERISH Its empty thunders o'er the Epic world; Which, eager to extend its mimic reign, Would bind free Fancy in a servile chain ; With papal rage the eye of Genius blind, And bar the gates of Glory on the mind! Such dark decrees have letter'd Bigots penn'd * Ver. 7. See NOTE I. * 5 IO |