The amiable Poet* from whom I have taken my motto, after showing the superiority of the Sacred over the Profane Histories, some instances of which I have noticed in my Introduction, concludes with the following remark, which I may apply to myself with far more propriety than it was used by the Author:"I am far from assuming to myself to have " fulfilled the duty of this weighty undertaking; " and I shall be ambitious of no other fruit from "this weak and imperfect attempt of mine, but "the opening of a way to the courage and in"dustry of some other persons, who may be "better able to perform it thoroughly and suc"cessfully." * COWLEY. INTRODUCTION. Oн for the sacred energy which struck The nightly visitant deign'd bless his couch Then, when the sacred fire within him burnt, It will not be. Nor prophet's burning zeal, Nor muse of fire, nor yet to sweep the strings With sacred energy, to me belongs; Nor with Miltonic hand to touch the chords The secret source of harmony is hid; The magic powers which catch the ravish'd soul In melody's sweet maze, and the clear streams. Pure Plato! how had thy chaste spirit hail'd A faith so fitted to thy moral sense! What hadst thou felt, to see the fair romance Of thy pure fancy, more than realis'd! Sublime enthusiast! thou hadst bless'd a scheme Such plenitude of bliss, such boundless love, Unhappy BRUTUS! philosophic mind! The Pagan page how far more wise than ours! And shall no altars blaze, O TRUTH, to thee? Let pleasure be the motive, disallow All high incentives drawn from God's command: Of innocent delight, than the fair book |