_Vitaque cum gemitu fugit indignata sub umbras_,
is a nobler Conclusion of an Heroic Poem, than
Ὣς οἲ γ' ἀμφίεπον τάφον Ἕκτορος ἱπποδάμοιο.
A thousand things of the same, or of the like Nature, might be mentioned: And I am aware that such Observations will by some Criticks be called _modern Criticisms_. But be That as it will; I am for Truth and Reason, whether it be called Ancient, or Modern.
To display the Excellence of _Virgil_'s Style, Diction, and Versification, cannot be the Business of this Preface: Here again I must refer to my Notes. I only observe, that nothing can be more sublime, and majestick, than some Parts; nothing more sweet, and soft, than others; nothing more harmonious, flowing, numerous, and sounding than both his Soft, and his Sublime. As to which latter, when he describes the Fury, Noise, and Confusion of War, I recollect That of my Lord _Roscommon_;
_Th'_ Æneian _Muse, when she appears in State, Makes all_ Jove's _Thunder on her Verses wait._
_----Quo non præstantior alter Ære ciere viros, Martemque accendere cantu._
For those Lines may as well be applied to the Trumpet of _Virgil_, as of _Misenus_. Not but that in this way of Writing, I mean the Martial, and the Furious, _Homer_, setting aside his Redundancy, is at least equal to _Virgil_; perhaps superiour. But then he is not comparable to him in the other Part, the smooth, the soft, and the sweetly flowing. This in _Virgil_ always puts me in mind of some Verses of his own, which I have elsewhere cited: Verses, which, in the Sixth Eclogue, the Speakers apply to each other; and which, above all Writers, are most applicable to Him, who gives Speech to them both.
_Tale tuum carmen nobis, divine Poeta, Quale sopor fessis in gramine, quale per æstum Dulcis aquæ saliente sitim restinguere rivo. Nam neque me tantum venientis sibilus Austri, Nec percussa juvant fluctu tam littora, nec quæ Saxosas inter decurrunt flumina valles._
But the exquisite Art of _Virgil_'s Versification is seen in his varying the Pauses, and Periods, and Cadence of his Numbers; in being rough or smooth, soft or vehement, long or short, _&c._ according to the Nature of the Ideas he would convey to the Mind: in which, I think, he exceeds all Writers, whether Ancient or Modern; and is in particular the best Versifier, as well as, upon the whole, the best Poet in the World.