A prefatory epistle concerning some remarks to be published on Homer's Iliad, occasioned by the proposals of mr. Pope towards a new English version of that poem - Softcover
Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1714 edition. Excerpt: ... himself to the Esteem of wise Persons, to make War, where Necessity requires, or it is incumbent on him, but not out of Choice, or an Inclination arising from any private Motive of Avarice, or Ambition. Caa we, Sir, have a clearer Proof, that the Design of the Iliad is not to give us an Idea of Courage in Opposition to the Maxims of Military Conduct? It is no less evident, that in the Judgment of Homer, a Martial is not only, consistent with a pacifick Disposition, but ought never to be separated from it. A Hero, the Bent of whose Inclination is wholly turn'd. upon War,. upon what Motive soever it arises, no more comes up to his true Character, than a Critick, whose principal End is to run down, to bite and devour his Authors. The true and laudable End of CritiB 5 cisin cism is to shew, in a good Light, the Beauties of a Writer, as that of War is to procure to us the Blessings of Peace, and enable ws to cultivate the Arts of it; What then was the Ground of fhat high Esteem, which Alexander professed for the Writings of Homer, and for the Iliad in particular; seeing it does not appear, that ha propos'd to regulate his Conduct by it. Pardon.yie, Sir, a Conjecture upon which,-cis not unreasonable to suppose this Esteem might be founded. An insatiable Love of Glory was Alexanders predominant PassionOne signal Instance hereof was,, a violent desire he had of being thought the Son of Jupiter Ammon Nothing could tend more to facilitate the belief of this Story, than the Legends we meet with, of the fame kind, in Homer. Several of his Heroes are of Cele ft id Extraction, and there is every where so familiar an Entercourse between them, and his Deities of both Sexes, as might render the Affair Jupiter is reported to have had with Oljmpiœr, at least...
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
