ONTHEROYALSOCIETYOFLITERATURE。

（June1823。）

Thisistheageofsocieties。ThereisscarcelyoneEnglishmanintenwhohasnotbelongedtosomeassociationfordistributingbooks，orforprosecutingthem;forsendinginvalidstothehospital，orbeggarstothetreadmill;forgivingplatetotherich，orblanketstothepoor。Tobethemostabsurdinstitutionamongsomanyinstitutionsisnosmalldistinction;itseems，however，tobelongindisputablytotheRoyalSocietyofLiterature。Atthefirstestablishmentofthatridiculousacademy，everysensiblemanpredictedthat，inspiteofregalpatronageandepiscopalmanagement，itwoulddonothing，ordoharm。Anditwillscarcelybedeniedthatthoseexpectationshavehithertobeenfulfilled。

Idonotattackthefoundersoftheassociation。Theircharactersarerespectable;theirmotives，Iamwillingtobelieve，werelaudable。ButIfeel，anditisthedutyofeveryliterarymantofeel，astrongjealousyoftheirproceedings。

Theirsocietycanbeinnocentonlywhileitcontinuestobedespicable。Shouldtheyeverpossessthepowertoencouragemerit，theymustalsopossessthepowertodepressit。Whichpowerwillbemorefrequentlyexercised，leteveryonewhohasstudiedliteraryhistory，leteveryonewhohasstudiedhumannature，declare。

Envyandfactioninsinuatethemselvesintoallcommunities。Theyoftendisturbthepeace，andpervertthedecisions，ofbenevolentandscientificassociations。Butitisinliteraryacademiesthattheyexertthemostextensiveandperniciousinfluence。Inthefirstplace，theprinciplesofliterarycriticism，thoughequallyfixedwiththoseonwhichthechemistandthesurgeonproceed，arebynomeansequallyrecognised。Menarerarelyabletoassignareasonfortheirapprobationordislikeonquestionsoftaste;andthereforetheywillinglysubmittoanyguidewhoboldlyassertshisclaimtosuperiordiscernment。Itismoredifficulttoascertainandestablishthemeritsofapoemthanthepowersofamachineorthebenefitsofanewremedy。Henceitisinliterature，thatquackeryismosteasilypuffed，andexcellencemosteasilydecried。

Insomedegreethisargumentappliestoacademiesofthefinearts;anditisfullyconfirmedbyallthatIhaveeverheardofthatinstitutionwhichannuallydisfiguresthewallsofSomersetHousewithanacreofspoiledcanvas。Butaliterarytribunalisincomparablymoredangerous。Othersocieties，atleast，havenotendencytocallforthanyopinionsonthosesubjectswhichmostagitateandinflamethemindsofmen。Thescepticandthezealot，therevolutionistandtheplaceman，meetoncommongroundinagalleryofpaintingsoralaboratoryofscience。Theycanpraiseorcensurewithoutreferencetothedifferenceswhichexistbetweenthem。Inaliterarybodythiscanneverbethecase。Literatureis，andalwaysmustbe，inseparablyblendedwithpoliticsandtheology;itisthegreatenginewhichmovesthefeelingsofapeopleonthemostmomentousquestions。Itis，therefore，impossiblethatanysocietycanbeformedsoimpartialastoconsidertheliterarycharacterofanindividualabstractedfromtheopinionswhichhiswritingsinculcate。Itisnottobehoped，perhapsitisnottobewished，thatthefeelingsofthemanshouldbesocompletelyforgotteninthedutiesoftheacademician。Theconsequencesareevident。ThehonoursandcensuresofthisStarChamberoftheMuseswillbeawardedaccordingtotheprejudicesoftheparticularsectorfactionwhichmayatthetimepredominate。WhigswouldcanvassagainstaSouthey，ToriesagainstaByron。Thosewhomightatfirstprotestagainstsuchconductasunjustwouldsoonadoptitonthepleaofretaliation;andthegeneralgoodofliterature，forwhichthesocietywasprofessedlyinstituted，wouldbeforgotteninthestrongerclaimsofpoliticalandreligiouspartiality。

Yeteventhisisnottheworst。Shouldtheinstitutioneveracquireanyinfluence，itwillaffordmostperniciousfacilitiestoeverymalignantcowardwhomaydesiretoblastareputationwhichheenvies。Itwillfurnishasecureambuscade，behindwhichtheMaroonsofliteraturemaytakeacertainanddeadlyaim。TheeditorialWEhasoftenbeenfataltorisinggenius;

thoughalltheworldknowsthatitisonlyaformofspeech，veryoftenemployedbyasingleneedyblockhead。TheacademicWE

wouldhaveafargreaterandmoreruinousinfluence。Numbers，whiletheyincreasetheeffect，woulddiminishtheshame，ofinjustice。Theadvantagesofanopenandthoseofananonymousattackwouldbecombined;andtheauthorityofavowalwouldbeunitedtothesecurityofconcealment。TheserpentsinVirgil，aftertheyhaddestroyedLaocoon，foundanasylumfromthevengeanceoftheenragedpeoplebehindtheshieldofthestatueofMinerva。And，inthesamemanner，everythingthatisgrovellingandvenomous，everythingthatcanhiss，andeverythingthatcansting，wouldtakesanctuaryintherecessesofthisnewtempleofwisdom。

TheFrenchacademywas，ofallsuchassociations，themostwidelyandthemostjustlycelebrated。Itwasfoundedbythegreatestofministers:itwaspatronisedbysuccessivekings;itnumberedinitslistsmostoftheeminentFrenchwriters。Yetwhatbenefithasliteraturederivedfromitslabours？Whatisitshistorybutanuninterruptedrecordofservilecompliances——ofpaltryartifices——ofdeadlyquarrels——ofperfidiousfriendships？

WhethergovernedbytheCourt，bytheSorbonne，orbythePhilosophers，itwasalwaysequallypowerfulforevil，andequallyimpotentforgood。ImightspeakoftheattacksbywhichitattemptedtodepresstherisingfameofCorneille;ImightspeakofthereluctancewithwhichitgaveitstardyconfirmationtotheapplauseswhichthewholecivilisedworldhadbestowedonthegeniusofVoltaire。Imightprovebyoverwhelmingevidencethat，tothelatestperiodofitsexistence，evenunderthesuperintendenceoftheall—accomplishedD’Alembert，itcontinuedtobeasceneofthefiercestanimositiesandthebasestintrigues。ImightcitePiron’sepigrams，andMarmontel’smemoirs，andMontesquieu’sletters。ButIhastenontoanothertopic。

OneofthemodesbywhichourSocietyproposestoencouragemeritisthedistributionofprizes。Themunificenceofthekinghasenabledittoofferanannualpremiumofahundredguineasforthebestessayinprose，andanotheroffiftyguineasforthebestpoem，whichmaybetransmittedtoit。Thisisverylaughable。Inthefirstplacethejudgesmayerr。Thoseimperfectionsofhumanintellecttowhich，asthearticlesoftheChurchtellus，evengeneralcouncilsaresubject，maypossiblybefoundevenintheRoyalSocietyofLiterature。TheFrenchacademy，asIhavealreadysaid，wasthemostillustriousassemblyofthekind，andnumberedamongitsassociatesmenmuchmoredistinguishedthaneverwillassembleatMrHatchard’storummagetheboxoftheEnglishSociety。Yetthisfamousbodygaveapoeticalprize，forwhichVoltairewasacandidate，toafellowwhowrotesomeversesaboutTHEFROZENANDTHEBURNING

POLE。

Yet，grantingthattheprizeswerealwaysawardedtothebestcomposition，thatcomposition，Isaywithouthesitation，willalwaysbebad。Aprizepoemislikeaprizesheep。Theobjectofthecompetitorfortheagriculturalpremiumistoproduceananimalfit，nottobeeaten，buttobeweighed。Accordinglyhepampershisvictimintomorbidandunnaturalfatness;and，whenitisinsuchastatethatitwouldbesentawayindisgustfromanytable，heoffersittothejudges。Theobjectofthepoeticalcandidate，inlikemanner，istoproduce，notagoodpoem，butapoemofthatexactdegreeoffrigidityorbombastwhichmayappeartohiscensorstobecorrectorsublime。

Compositionsthusconstructedwillalwaysbeworthless。Thefewexcellenceswhichtheymaycontainwillhaveanexoticaspectandflavour。Ingeneral，prizesheeparegoodfornothingbuttomaketallowcandles，andprizepoemsaregoodfornothingbuttolightthem。

ThefirstsubjectproposedbytheSocietytothepoetsofEnglandwasDartmoor。Ithoughtthattheyintendedacovertsarcasmattheirownprojects。TheirinstitutionwasaliteraryDartmoorscheme;——aplanforforcingintocultivationthewastelandsofintellect，——forraisingpoeticalproduce，bymeansofbounties，fromsoiltoomeagretohaveyieldedanyreturnsinthenaturalcourseofthings。TheplanforthecultivationofDartmoorhas，Ihear，beenabandoned。IhopethatthismaybeanomenofthefateoftheSociety。

Intruth，thisseemsbynomeansimprobable。Theyhavebeenofferingforseveralyearstherewardswhichthekingplacedattheirdisposal，andhavenot，asfarasIcanlearn，beenabletofindintheirboxonecompositionwhichtheyhavedeemedworthyofpublication。Atleastnopublicationhastakenplace。Theassociatesmayperhapsbeastonishedatthis。ButIwillattempttoexplainit，afterthemannerofancienttimes，bymeansofanapologue。

AboutfourhundredyearsaftertheDeluge，KingGomerChephoraodreignedinBabylon。Heunitedallthecharacteristicsofanexcellentsovereign。Hemadegoodlaws，wongreatbattles，andwhite—washedlongstreets。Hewas，inconsequence，idolisedbyhispeople，andpanegyrisedbymanypoetsandorators。Abookwasthenasermonsundertaking。Neitherpapernoranysimilarmaterialhadbeeninvented。Authorswerethereforeunderthenecessityofinscribingtheircompositionsonmassivebricks。

SomeoftheseBabylonianrecordsarestillpreservedinEuropeanmuseums;butthelanguageinwhichtheyarewrittenhasneverbeendeciphered。GomerChephoraodwassopopularthattheclayofalltheplainsroundtheEuphratescouldscarcelyfurnishbrick—kilnsenoughforhiseulogists。ItisrecordedinparticularthatPharonezzar，theAssyrianPindar，publishedabridgeandfourwallsinhispraise。

OnedaythekingwasgoinginstatefromhispalacetothetempleofBelus。DuringthisprocessionitwaslawfulforanyBabyloniantoofferanypetitionorsuggestiontohissovereign。

Asthechariotpassedbeforeavintner’sshop，alargecompany，apparentlyhalf—drunk，salliedforthintothestreet，andoneofthemthusaddressedtheking:

"GomerChephoraod，liveforever！Itappearstothyservantsthatofalltheproductionsoftheearthgoodwineisthebest，andbadwineistheworst。Goodwinemakestheheartcheerful，theeyesbright，thespeechready。Badwineconfusesthehead，disordersthestomach，makesusquarrelsomeatnight，andsickthenextmorning。Nowthereforeletmylordthekingtakeorderthatthyservantsmaydrinkgoodwine。

"Andhowisthistobedone？"saidthegood—naturedprince。

"OKing，"saidhismonitor，"thisismosteasy。Letthekingmakeadecree，andsealitwithhisroyalsignet:andletitbeproclaimedthatthekingwillgivetenshe—asses，andtenslaves，andtenchangesofraiment，everyyear，untothemanwhoshallmaketenmeasuresofthebestwine。Andwhosoeverwishesfortheshe—asses，andtheslaves，andtheraiment，lethimsendthetenmeasuresofwinetothyservants，andwewilldrinkthereofandjudge。SoshalltherebemuchgoodwineinAssyria。"

TheprojectpleasedGomerChephoraod。"Beitso，"saidhe。Thepeopleshouted。Thepetitionersprostratedthemselvesingratitude。ThesamenightheraldsweredespatchedtobeartheintelligencetotheremotestdistrictsofAssyria。

Afteradueintervalthewinesbegantocomein;andtheexaminersassembledtoadjudgetheprize。Thefirstvesselwasunsealed。Itsodourwassuchthatthejudges，withouttastingit，pronouncedunanimouscondemnation。Thenextwasopened:ithadavillainoustasteofclay。Thethirdwassourandvapid。

Theyproceededfromonecaskofexecrableliquortoanother，tillatlength，inabsolutenausea，theygaveuptheinvestigation。

Thenextmorningtheyallassembledatthegateoftheking，withpalefacesandachingheads。Theyownedthattheycouldnotrecommendanycompetitorasworthyoftherewards。Theysworethatthewinewaslittlebetterthanpoison，andentreatedpermissiontoresigntheofficeofdecidingbetweensuchdetestablepotions。

"InthenameofBelus，howcanthishavehappened？"saidtheking。

Merolchazzar，thehigh—priest，mutteredsomethingabouttheangeroftheGodsatthetolerationshowntoasectofimpioushereticswhoatepigeonsbroiled，"whereas，"saidhe，"ourreligioncommandsustoeatthemroasted。Nowtherefore，OKing，"

continuedthisrespectabledivine，"givecommandtothymenofwar，andletthemsmitethedisobedientpeoplewiththesword，them，andtheirwives，andtheirchildren，andlettheirhouses，andtheirflocks，andtheirherds，begiventothyservantsthepriests。Thenshallthelandyielditsincrease，andthefruitsoftheearthshallbenomoreblastedbythevengeanceofHeaven。"

"Nay，"saidtheking，"thegroundliesundernogeneralcursefromHeaven。Theseasonhasbeensingularlygood。Thewinewhichthoudidstthyselfdrinkatthebanquetafewnightsago，O

venerableMerolchazzar，wasofthisyear’svintage。Dostthounotrememberhowthoudidstpraiseit？ItwasthesamenightthatthouwastinspiredbyBelusanddidstreeltoandfro，anddiscoursesacredmysteries。Thesethingsaretoohardforme。I

comprehendthemnot。Theonlywinewhichisbadisthatwhichissenttomyjudges。Whocanexpoundthistous？"

Thekingscratchedhishead。Uponwhichallthecourtiersscratchedtheirheads。

Hethenorderedproclamationtobemadethatapurplerobeandagoldenchainshouldbegiventothemanwhocouldsolvethisdifficulty。

Anoldphilosopher，whohadbeenobservedtosmileratherdisdainfullywhentheprizehadfirstbeeninstituted，cameforwardandspokethus:——

"GomerChephoraod，liveforever！Marvelnotatthatwhichhashappened。Itwasnomiracle，butanaturalevent。Howcoulditbeotherwise？Itistruethatmuchgoodwinehasbeenmadethisyear。Butwhowouldsenditinforthyrewards？ThouknowestAscobaruchwhohaththegreatvineyardsinthenorth，andCohahirothwhosendethwineeveryyearfromthesouthoverthePersianGolf。Theirwinesaresodeliciousthattenmeasuresthereofaresoldforanhundredtalentsofsilver。Thinkestthouthattheywillexchangethemforthyslavesandthineasses？

Whatwouldthyprizeprofitanywhohavevineyardsinrichsoils？"

"Whothen，"saidoneofthejudges，"arethewretcheswhosentusthispoison？"

"Blamethemnot，"saidthesage，"seeingthatyouhavebeentheauthorsoftheevil。Theyaremenwhoselandsarepoor，andhaveneveryieldedthemanyreturnsequaltotheprizeswhichthekingproposed。Wherefore，knowingthatthelordsofthefruitfulvineyardswouldnotenterintocompetitionwiththemtheyplantedvines，someonrocks，andsomeinlightsandysoil，andsomeindeepclay。Hencetheirwinesarebad。Fornocultureorrewardwillmakebarrenlandbeargoodvines。Knowtherefore，assuredly，thatyourprizeshaveincreasedthequantityofbadbutnotofgoodwine。"

Therewasalongsilence。Atlengththekingspoke。"Givehimthepurplerobeandthechainofgold。ThrowthewinesintotheEuphrates;andproclaimthattheRoyalSocietyofWinesisdissolved。"……

SCENESFROM"ATHENIANREVELS。"

（January1824。）

ADRAMA。

I。

SCENE——AStreetinAthens。

EnterCALLIDEMUSandSPEUSIPPUS;

CALLIDEMUS。

So，youyoungreprobate！Youmustbeamanofwit，forsooth，andamanofquality！YoumustspendasifyouwereasrichasNicias，andprateasifyouwereaswiseasPericles！Youmustdangleaftersophistsandprettywomen！AndImustpayforall！

Imustsuponthymeandonions，whileyouareswallowingthrushesandhares！Imustdrinkwater，thatyoumayplaythecottabus（Thisgameconsistedinprojectingwineoutofcups;itwasadiversionextremelyfashionableatAthenianentertainments。）withChianwine！ImustwanderaboutasraggedasPauson（PausonwasanAthenianpainter，whosenamewassynonymouswithbeggary。SeeAristophanes;Plutus，602。Fromhispoverty，Iaminclinedtosupposethathepaintedhistoricalpictures。），thatyoumaybeasfineasAlcibiades！Imustlieonbareboards，withastone（SeeAristophanes;Plutus，542。）formypillow，andarottenmatformycoverlid，bythelightofawretchedwinkinglamp，whileyouaremarchinginstate，withasmanytorchesasoneseesatthefeastofCeres，tothunderwithyourhatchet（SeeTheocritus;

Idyllii。128。）atthedoorsofhalftheIonianladiesinPeiraeus。（ThiswasthemostdisreputablepartofAthens。SeeAristophanes:Pax，165。）

SPEUSIPPUS。

Why，thouunreasonableoldman！Thoumostshamelessoffathers！—

—

CALLIDEMUS。

Ungratefulwretch;dareyoutalkso？AreyounotafraidofthethundersofJupiter？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Jupiterthunder！nonsense！Anaxagorassays，thatthunderisonlyanexplosionproducedby——

CALLIDEMUS。

Hedoes！Wouldthatithadfallenonhisheadforhispains！

SPEUSIPPUS。

Nay:talkrationally。

CALLIDEMUS。

Rationally！Youaudaciousyoungsophist！Iwilltalkrationally。DoyouknowthatIamyourfather？Whatquibblecanyoumakeuponthat？

SPEUSIPPUS。

DoIknowthatyouaremyfather？Letustakethequestiontopieces，asMelesigeneswouldsay。First，then，wemustinquirewhatisknowledge？Secondly，whatisafather？Now，knowledge，asSocratessaidtheotherdaytoTheaetetus（SeePlato’sTheaetetus。）——

CALLIDEMUS。

Socrates！what！theraggedflat—nosedolddotard，whowalksaboutalldaybarefoot，andfilchescloaks，anddissectsgnats，andshoes（SeeAristophanes;Nubes，150。）fleaswithwax？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Allfiction！AlltrumpedupbyAristophanes！

CALLIDEMUS。

ByPallas，ifheisinthehabitofputtingshoesonhisfleas，heiskindertothemthantohimself。Butlistentome，boy;ifyougooninthisway，youwillberuined。Thereisanargumentforyou。GotoyourSocratesandyourMelesigenes，andtellthemtorefutethat。Ruined！Doyouhear？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Ruined！

CALLIDEMUS。

Ay，byJupiter！Issuchashowasyoumaketobesupportedonnothing？Duringallthelastwar，Imadenotanobolfrommyfarm;thePeloponnesianlocustscamealmostasregularlyasthePleiades;——cornburnt;——olivesstripped;——fruittreescutdown;——

wellsstoppedup;——and，justwhenpeacecame，andIhopedthatallwouldturnoutwell，youmustbegintospendasifyouhadalltheminesofThasusatcommand。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Now，byNeptune，whodelightsinhorses——

CALLIDEMUS。

IfNeptunedelightsinhorses，hedoesnotresembleme。YoumustrideatthePanathenaeaonahorsefitforthegreatking:fouracresofmybestvineswentforthatfolly。Youmustretrench，oryouwillhavenothingtoeat。DoesnotAnaxagorasmention，amonghisotherdiscoveries，thatwhenamanhasnothingtoeathedies？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Youaredeceived。Myfriends——

CALLIDEMUS。

Oh，yes！yourfriendswillnoticeyou，doubtless，whenyouaresqueezingthroughthecrowd，onawinter’sday，towarmyourselfatthefireofthebaths;——orwhenyouarefightingwithbeggarsandbeggars’dogsforthescrapsofasacrifice;——orwhenyouaregladtoearnthreewretchedobols（ThestipendofanAthenianjuryman。）bylisteningalldaytolyingspeechesandcryingchildren。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Thereareothermeansofsupport。

CALLIDEMUS。

What！Isupposeyouwillwanderfromhousetohouse，likethatwretchedbuffoonPhilippus（Xenophon;Convivium。），andbegeverybodywhohasaskedasupper—partytobesokindastofeedyouandlaughatyou;oryouwillturnsycophant;youwillgetabunchofgrapes，orapairofshoes，nowandthen，byfrighteningsomerichcowardwithamockprosecution。Well！thatisataskforwhichyourstudiesunderthesophistsmayhavefittedyou。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Youarewideofthemark。

CALLIDEMUS。

Thenwhat，inthenameofJuno，isyourscheme？DoyouintendtojoinOrestes（AcelebratedhighwaymanofAttica。SeeAristophanes;Aves，711;andinseveralotherpassages。），androbonthehighway？Takecare;bewareoftheeleven（ThepoliceofficersofAthens。）;bewareofthehemlock。Itmaybeverypleasanttoliveatotherpeople’sexpense;butnotverypleasant，Ishouldthink，tohearthepestlegiveitslastbangagainstthemortar，whenthecolddoseisready。Pah！——

SPEUSIPPUS。

Hemlock？Orestes！folly！——Iaimatnoblerobjects。Whatsayyoutopolitics，——thegeneralassembly？

CALLIDEMUS。

Youanorator！——ohno！no！Cleonwasworthtwentysuchfoolsasyou。Youhavesucceeded，Igrant，tohisimpudence，forwhich，iftherebejusticeinTartarus，heisnowsoakinguptotheeyesinhisowntanpickle。ButthePaphlagonianhadparts。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Andyoumeantoimply——

CALLIDEMUS。

NotI。YouareaPericlesinembryo，doubtless。Well:andwhenareyoutomakeyourfirstspeech？OPallas！

SPEUSIPPUS。

Ithoughtofspeaking，theotherday，ontheSicilianexpedition;

butNicias（SeeThucydides，vi。8。）gotupbeforeme。

CALLIDEMUS。

Nicias，poorhonestman，mightjustaswellhavesatestill;hisspeakingdidbutlittlegood。Thelossofyourorationis，doubtless，anirreparablepubliccalamity。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Why，notso;Iintendtointroduceitatthenextassembly;itwillsuitanysubject。

CALLIDEMUS。

Thatistosay，itwillsuitnone。Butpray，ifitbenottoopresumptuousarequest，indulgemewithaspecimen。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Well;supposetheagoracrowded;——animportantsubjectunderdiscussion;——anambassadorfromArgos，orfromthegreatking;——

thetributesfromtheislands;——animpeachment;——inshort，anythingyouplease。Thecriermakesproclamation。——"Anycitizenabovefiftyyearsoldmayspeak——anycitizennotdisqualifiedmayspeak。"ThenIrise:——agreatmurmurofcuriositywhileIammountingthestand。

CALLIDEMUS。

Ofcuriosity！yes，andofsomethingelsetoo。Youwillinfalliblybedraggeddownbymainforce，likepoorGlaucon（SeeXenophonMemorabilia，iii。）lastyear。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Neverfear。Ishallbegininthisstyle:

"WhenIconsider，Athenians，theimportanceofourcity;——whenI

considertheextentofitspower，thewisdomofitslaws，theeleganceofitsdecorations;——whenIconsiderbywhatnamesandbywhatexploitsitsannalsareadorned;whenIthinkonHarmodiusandAristogiton，onThemistoclesandMiltiades，onCimonandPericles;——whenIcontemplateourpre—eminenceinartsandletters;——whenIobservesomanyflourishingstatesandislandscompelledtoownthedominion，andpurchasetheprotectionoftheCityoftheVioletCrown"（AfavouriteepithetofAthens。SeeAristophanes;Acharn。637。）——

CALLIDEMUS。

Ishallchokewithrage。Oh，allyegodsandgoddesses，whatsacrilege，whatperjuryhaveIevercommitted，thatIshouldbesingledoutfromamongallthecitizensofAthenstobethefatherofthisfool？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Whatnow？ByBacchus，oldman，Iwouldnotadviseyoutogivewaytosuchfitsofpassioninthestreets。IfAristophanesweretoseeyou，youwouldinfalliblybeinacomedynextspring。

CALLIDEMUS。

YouhavemorereasontofearAristophanesthananyfoolliving。

Oh，thathecouldbuthearyoutryingtoimitatetheslangofStraton（SeeAristophanes;Equites，1375。）andthelispofAlcibiades！（SeeAristophanes;Vespae，44。）Youwouldbeaninexhaustiblesubject。YouwouldconsolehimforthelossofCleon。

SPEUSIPPUS。

No，no。Imayperhapsfigureatthedramaticrepresentationsbeforelong;butinaverydifferentway。

CALLIDEMUS。

Whatdoyoumean？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Whatsayyoutoatragedy？

CALLIDEMUS。

Atragedyofyours？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Evenso。

CALLIDEMUS。

OhHercules！OhBacchus！Thisistoomuch。Hereisanuniversalgenius;sophist，——orator，——poet。Towhatathree—

headedmonsterhaveIgivenbirth！aperfectCerberusofintellect！Andpraywhatmayyourpiecebeabout？Orwillyourtragedy，likeyourspeech，serveequallyforanysubject？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Ithoughtofseveralplots;——Oedipus，——EteoclesandPolynices，——

thewarofTroy，——themurderofAgamemnon。

CALLIDEMUS。

Andwhathaveyouchosen？

SPEUSIPPUS。

YouknowthereisalawwhichpermitsanymodernpoettoretouchaplayofAeschylus，andbringitforwardashisowncomposition。

And，asthereisanabsurdprejudice，amongthevulgar，infavourofhisextravagantpieces，Ihaveselectedoneofthem，andalteredit。

CALLIDEMUS。

Whichofthem？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Oh！thatmassofbarbarousabsurdities，thePrometheus。ButI

haveframeditanewuponthemodelofEuripides。ByBacchus，I

shallmakeSophoclesandAgathonlookaboutthem。Youwouldnotknowtheplayagain。

CALLIDEMUS。

ByJupiter，Ibelievenot。

SPEUSIPPUS。

IhaveomittedthewholeoftheabsurddialoguebetweenVulcanandStrength，atthebeginning。

CALLIDEMUS。

Thatmaybe，onthewhole，animprovement。TheplaywillthenopenwiththatgrandsoliloquyofPrometheus，whenheischainedtotherock。

"Oh！yeeternalheavens！yerushingwinds！

Yefountainsofgreatstreams！Yeoceanwaves，ThatintenthousandsparklingdimpleswreatheYourazuresmiles！All—generatingearth！

All—seeingsun！Onyou，onyou，Icall。"（SeeAeschylus;

Prometheus，88。）

Well，Iallowthatwillbestriking;Ididnotthinkyoucapableofthatidea。Whydoyoulaugh？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Doyouseriouslysupposethatonewhohasstudiedtheplaysofthatgreatman，Euripides，wouldeverbeginatragedyinsucharantingstyle？

CALLIDEMUS。

What，doesnotyourplayopenwiththespeechofPrometheus？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Nodoubt。

CALLIDEMUS。

Thenwhat，inthenameofBacchus，doyoumakehimsay？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Youshallhear;and，ifitbenotintheverystyleofEuripides，callmeafool。

CALLIDEMUS。

ThatisalibertywhichIshallventuretotake，whetheritbeorno。Butgoon。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Prometheusbeginsthus:——

"CoelusbegatSaturnandBriareusCottusandCreiusandIapetus，GygesandHyperion，Phoebe，Tethys，TheaandRheaandMnemosyne。

ThenSaturnweddedRhea，andbegatPlutoandNeptune，JupiterandJuno。"

CALLIDEMUS。

Verybeautiful，andverynatural;and，asyousay，verylikeEuripides。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Youaresneering。Really，father，youdonotunderstandthesethings。Youhadnotthoseadvantagesinyouryouth——

CALLIDEMUS。

WhichIhavebeenfoolenoughtoletyouhave。No;inmyearlydays，lyinghadnotbeendignifiedintoascience，norpoliticsdegradedintoatrade。Iwrestled，andreadHomer’sbattles，insteadofdressingmyhair，andrecitinglecturesinverseoutofEuripides。ButIhavesomenotionofwhataplayshouldbe;I

haveseenPhrynichus，andlivedwithAeschylus。IsawtherepresentationofthePersians。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Awretchedplay;itmayamusethefoolswhorowthetriremes;butitisutterlyunworthytobereadbyanymanoftaste。

CALLIDEMUS。

Ifyouhadseenitacted;——thewholetheatrefranticwithjoy，stamping，shouting，laughing，crying。TherewasCynaegeirus，thebrotherofAeschylus，wholostbothhisarmsatMarathon，beatingthestumpsagainsthissideswithrapture。Whenthecrowdremarkedhim——Butwhereareyougoing？

SPEUSIPPUS。

TosupwithAlcibiades;hesailswiththeexpeditionforSicilyinafewdays;thisishisfarewellentertainment。

CALLIDEMUS。

Somuchthebetter;Ishouldsay，somuchtheworse。ThatcursedSicilianexpedition！Andyouwereoneoftheyoungfools（SeeThucydides，vi。13。）whostoodclappingandshoutingwhilehewasgullingtherabble，andwhodrownedpoorNicias’svoicewithyouruproar。Looktoit;adayofreckoningwillcome。AstoAlcibiadeshimself——

SPEUSIPPUS。

Whatcanyousayagainsthim？Hisenemiesthemselvesacknowledgehismerit。

CALLIDEMUS。

Theyacknowledgethatheisclever，andhandsome，andthathewascrownedattheOlympicgames。Andwhatothermeritsdohisfriendsclaimforhim？Apreciousassemblyyouwillmeetathishouse，nodoubt。

SPEUSIPPUS。

ThefirstmeninAthens，probably。

CALLIDEMUS。

WhomdoyoumeanbythefirstmeninAthens？

SPEUSIPPUS。

Callicles。（CalliclesplaysaconspicuouspartintheGorgiasofPlato。）

CALLIDEMUS。

Asacrilegious，impious，unfeelingruffian！

SPEUSIPPUS。

Hippomachus。

CALLIDEMUS。

Afool，whocantalkofnothingbuthistravelsthroughPersiaandEgypt。Go，go。ThegodsforbidthatIshoulddetainyoufromsuchchoicesociety！

[Exeuntseverally。]

II。

SCENE——AHallinthehouseofALCIBIADES。

ALCIBIADES，SPEUSIPPUS，CALLICLES，HIPPOMACHUS，CHARICLEA，andothers，seatedroundatablefeasting。

ALCIBIADES。

Bringlargercups。Thisshallbeourgayestrevel。Itisprobablythelast——forsomeofusatleast。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Atallevents，itwillbelongbeforeyoutastesuchwineagain，Alcibiades。

CALLICLES。

Nay，thereisexcellentwineinSicily。WhenIwastherewithEurymedon’ssquadron，Ihadmanyalongcarouse。YouneversawfinergrapesthanthoseofAetna。

HIPPOMACHUS。

TheGreeksdonotunderstandtheartofmakingwine。YourPersianistheman。Sorich，sofragrant，sosparkling！IwilltellyouwhattheSatrapofCariasaidtomeaboutthatwhenI

suppedwithhim。

ALCIBIADES。

Nay，sweetHippomachus;notawordto—nightaboutsatraps，orthegreatking，orthewallsofBabylon，orthePyramids，orthemummies。Chariclea，whydoyoulooksosad？

CHARICLEA。

CanIbecheerfulwhenyouaregoingtoleaveme，Alcibiades？

ALCIBIADES。

Mylife，mysweetsoul，itisbutforashorttime。InayearweconquerSicily。Inanother，wehumbleCarthage。（SeeThucydides，vi。90。）Iwillbringbacksuchrobes，suchnecklaces，elephants’teethbythousands，ay，andtheelephantsthemselves，ifyouwishtoseethem。Nay，smile，myChariclea，orIshalltalknonsensetonopurpose。

HIPPOMACHUS。

ThelargestelephantthatIeversawwasinthegroundsofTeribazus，nearSusa。IwishthatIhadmeasuredhim。

ALCIBIADES。

Iwishthathehadtroduponyou。Come，come，Chariclea，weshallsoonreturn，andthen——

CHARICLEA。

Yes;thenindeed。

ALCIBIADES。

Yes，then——

Thenforrevels;thenfordances，Tenderwhispers，meltingglances。

Peasants，pluckyourrichestfruits:

Minstrels，soundyoursweetestflutes:

Comeinlaughingcrowdstogreetus，Dark—eyeddaughtersofMiletus;

Bringthemyrtles，bringthedice，FloodsofChian，hillsofspice。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Whoselinesarethose，Alcibiades？

ALCIBIADES。

Myown。Thinkyou，becauseIdonotshutmyselfuptomeditate，anddrinkwater，andeatherbs，thatIcannotwriteverses？ByApollo，ifIdidnotspendmydaysinpolitics，andmynightsinrevelry，IshouldhavemadeSophoclestremble。ButnowInevergobeyondalittlesonglikethis，andneverinvokeanyMusebutChariclea。Butcome，Speusippus，sing。Youareaprofessedpoet。Letushavesomeofyourverses。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Myverses！Howcanyoutalkso？Iaprofessedpoet！

ALCIBIADES。

Oh，contentyou，sweetSpeusippus。Weallknowyourdesignsuponthetragichonours。Come，sing。Achorusofyournewplay。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Nay，nay——

HIPPOMACHUS。

WhenaguestwhoisaskedtosingataPersianbanquetrefuses——

SPEUSIPPUS。

InthenameofBacchus——

ALCIBIADES。

Iamabsolute。Sing。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Well，then，Iwillsingyouachorus，which，Ithink，isatolerableimitationofEuripides。

CHARICLEA。

OfEuripides？——Notaword。

ALCIBIADES。

Whyso，sweetChariclea？

CHARICLEA。

Wouldyouhavemebetraymysex？WouldyouhavemeforgethisPhaedrasandSthenoboeas？NoifIeversufferanylinesofthatwoman—hater，orhisimitators，tobesunginmypresence，mayI

sellherbs（ThemotherofEuripideswasaherb—woman。ThiswasafavouritetopicofAristophanes。）likehismother，andwearragslikehisTelephus。（TheheroofoneofthelostplaysofEuripides，whoappearstohavebeenbroughtuponthestageinthegarbofabeggar。SeeAristophanes;Acharn。430;andinotherplaces。）

ALCIBIADES。

Then，sweetChariclea，sinceyouhavesilencedSpeusippus，youshallsingyourself。

CHARICLEA。

WhatshallIsing？

ALCIBIADES。

Nay，chooseforyourself。

CHARICLEA。

ThenIwillsinganoldIonianhymn，whichischantedeveryspringatthefeastofVenus，nearMiletus。IusedtosingitinmyowncountrywhenIwasachild;and——ah，Alcibiades！

ALCIBIADES。

DearChariclea，youshallsingsomethingelse。Thisdistressesyou。

CHARICLEA。

Nohandmethelyre:——nomatter。Youwillhearthesongtodisadvantage。ButifitweresungasIhavehearditsung:——ifthiswereabeautifulmorninginspring，andifwewerestandingonawoodypromontory，withthesea，andthewhitesails，andtheblueCycladesbeneathus，——andtheporticoofatemplepeepingthroughthetreesonahugepeakaboveourheads，——andthousandsofpeople，withmyrtlesintheirhands，throngingupthewindingpath，theirgaydressesandgarlandsdisappearingandemergingbyturnsastheypassedroundtheanglesoftherock，——thenperhaps—

—

ALCIBIADES。

Now，byVenusherself，sweetlady，whereyouareweshalllackneithersun，norflowers，norspring，nortemple，norgoddess。

CHARICLEA。（Sings。）

Letthissunnyhourbegiven，Venus，untoloveandmirth:

Smileslikethineareintheheaven;

Bloomlikethineisontheearth;

Andthetinklingofthefountains，Andthemurmursofthesea，Andtheechoesfromthemountains，Speakofyouth，andhope，andthee。

Bywhate’erofsoftexpressionThouhasttaughttolovers’eyes，Faintdenial，slowconfession，Glowingcheeksandstifledsighs;

Bythepleasureandthepain，Bythefolliesandthewiles，Poutingfondness，sweetdisdain，Happytearsandmournfulsmiles;

Comewithmusicfloatingo’erthee;

Comewithvioletsspringinground:

LettheGracesdancebeforethee，Alltheirgoldenzonesunbound;

Nowinsporttheirfaceshiding，Now，withslenderfingersfair，FromtheirlaughingeyesdividingThelongcurlsofrose—crownedhair。

ALCIBIADES。

Sweetlysung;butmournfully，Chariclea;forwhichIwouldchideyou，butthatIamsadmyself。Morewinethere。IwishtoallthegodsthatIhadfairlysailedfromAthens。

CHARICLEA。

Andfromme，Alcibiades？

ALCIBIADES。

Yes，fromyou，dearlady。Thedayswhichimmediatelyprecedeseparationarethemostmelancholyofourlives。

CHARICLEA。

Exceptthosewhichimmediatelyfollowit。

ALCIBIADES。

No;whenIceasetoseeyou，otherobjectsmaycompelmyattention;butcanIbenearyouwithoutthinkinghowlovelyyouare，andhowsoonImustleaveyou？

HIPPOMACHUS。

Ay;travellingsoonputssuchthoughtsoutofmen’sheads。

CALLICLES。

Abattleisthebestremedyforthem。

CHARICLEA。

Abattle，Ishouldthink，mightsupplytheirplacewithothersasunpleasant。

CALLICLES。

No。Thepreparationsareratherdisagreeabletoanovice。Butassoonasthefightingbegins，byJupiter，itisanobletime;——

mentrampling，——shieldsclashing，——spearsbreaking，——andthepoeanroaringlouderthanall。

CHARICLEA。

Butwhatifyouarekilled？

CALLICLES。

Whatindeed？YoumustaskSpeusippusthatquestion。Heisaphilosopher。

ALCIBIADES。

Yes，andthegreatestofphilosophers，ifhecananswerit。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Pythagorasisofopinion——

HIPPOMACHUS。

PythagorasstolethatandallhisotheropinionsfromAsiaandEgypt。ThetransmigrationofthesoulandthevegetabledietarederivedfromIndia。ImetaBrachmaninSogdiana——

CALLICLES。

Allnonsense！

CHARICLEA。

Whatthinkyou，Alcibiades？

ALCIBIADES。

Ithinkthat，ifthedoctrinebetrue，yourspiritwillbetransfusedintooneofthedoveswhocarry（Homer’sOdyssey，xii。

63。）ambrosiatothegodsorversestothemistressesofpoets。

DoyourememberAnacreon’slines？Howshouldyoulikesuchanoffice？

CHARICLEA。

IfIweretobeyourdove，Alcibiades，andyouwouldtreatmeasAnacreontreatedhis，andletmenestleinyourbreastanddrinkfromyourcup，Iwouldsubmiteventocarryyourlove—letterstootherladies。

CALLICLES。

What，inthenameofJupiter，istheuseofallthesespeculationsaboutdeath？Socratesonce（SeethecloseofPlato’sGorgias。）lecturedmeuponitthebestpartofaday。I

havehatedthesightofhimeversince。Suchthingsmaysuitanoldsophistwhenheisfasting;butinthemidstofwineandmusic——

HIPPOMACHUS。

Idifferfromyou。TheenlightenedEgyptiansbringskeletonsintotheirbanquets，inordertoremindtheirgueststomakethemostoftheirlifewhiletheyhaveit。

CALLICLES。

Iwantneitherskeletonnorsophisttoteachmethatlesson。

Morewine，Iprayyou，andlesswisdom。Ifyoumustbelievesomethingwhichyounevercanknow，whynotbecontentedwiththelongstoriesabouttheotherworldwhicharetolduswhenweareinitiatedattheEleusinianmysteries？（Thescenewhichfollowsisfoundeduponhistory。Thucydidestellsus，inhissixthbook，thataboutthistimeAlcibiadeswassuspectedofhavingassistedatamockcelebrationofthesefamousmysteries。ItwastheopinionofthevulgaramongtheAtheniansthatextraordinaryprivilegesweregrantedintheotherworldtoaltwhohadbeeninitiated。）

CHARICLEA。

Andwhatarethosestories？

ALCIBIADES。

Arenotyouinitiated，Chariclea？

CHARICLEA。

No;mymotherwasaLydian，abarbarian;andtherefore——

ALCIBIADES。

Iunderstand。NowthecurseofVenusonthefoolswhomadesohatefulalaw！Speusippus，doesnotyourfriendEuripides（TherightofEuripidestothislineissomewhatdisputable。SeeAristophanes;Plutus，1152。）say"Thelandwherethouartprosperousisthycountry？"

Surelyweoughttosaytoeverylady"Thelandwherethouartprettyisthycountry。"

Besides，toexcludeforeignbeautiesfromthechorusoftheinitiatedintheElysianfieldsislesscrueltothemthantoourselves。Chariclea，youshallbeinitiated。

CHARICLEA。

When？

ALCIBIADES。

Now。

CHARICLEA。

Where？

ALCIBIADES。

Here。

CHARICLEA。

Delightful！

SPEUSIPPUS。

Buttheremustbeanintervalofayearbetweenthepurificationandtheinitiation。

ALCIBIADES。

Wewillsupposeallthat。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Andninedaysofrigidmortificationofthesenses。

ALCIBIADES。

Wewillsupposethattoo。Iamsureitwassupposed，withaslittlereason，whenIwasinitiated。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Butyouaresworntosecrecy。

ALCIBIADES。

Youasophist，andtalkofoaths！YouapupilofEuripides，andforgethismaxims！

"Mylipshaveswornit;butmymindisfree。"（SeeEuripides:

Hippolytus，608。ForthejesuiticalmoralityofthislineEuripidesisbitterlyattackedbythecomicpoet。）

SPEUSIPPUS。

ButAlcibiades——

ALCIBIADES。

What！AreyouafraidofCeresandProserpine？

SPEUSIPPUS。

No——but——but——I——thatisI——butitisbesttobesafe——Imean——

Supposethereshouldbesomethinginit。

ALCIBIADES。

Now，byMercury，Ishalldiewithlaughing。OSpeusippus。

Speusippus！Gobacktoyouroldfather。Digvineyards，andjudgecauses，andbearespectablecitizen。Butnever，whileyoulive;againdreamofbeingaphilosopher。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Nay，Iwasonly——

ALCIBIADES。

ApupilofGorgiasandMelesigenesafraidofTartarus！Inwhatregionoftheinfernalworlddoyouexpectyourdomiciletobefixed？ShallyourollastonelikeSisyphus？Hardexercise，Speusippus！

SPEUSIPPUS。

Inthenameofallthegods——

ALCIBIADES。

OrshallyousitstarvedandthirstyinthemidstoffruitandwinelikeTantalus？Poorfellow？IthinkIseeyourfaceasyouarespringinguptothebranchesandmissingyouraim。OhBacchus！OhMercury！

SPEUSIPPUS。

Alcibiades！

ALCIBIADES。

Orperhapsyouwillbefoodforavulture，likethehugefellowwhowasrudetoLatona。

SPEUSIPPUS。

Alcibiades！

ALCIBIADES。

Neverfear。Minoswillnotbesocruel。Youreloquencewilltriumphoverallaccusations。TheFurieswillskulkawaylikedisappointedsycophants。Onlyaddressthejudgesofhellinthespeechwhichyouwerepreventedfromspeakinglastassembly。

"WhenIconsider"——isnotthatthebeginningofit？Come，man，donotbeangry。Whydoyoupaceupanddownwithsuchlongsteps？YouarenotinTartarusyet。YouseemtothinkthatyouarealreadystalkinglikepoorAchilles，"WithstrideMajesticthroughtheplainofAsphodel。"（SeeHomer’sOdyssey，xi。538。）

SPEUSIPPUS。

Howcanyoutalkso，whenyouknowthatIbelieveallthatfooleryaslittleasyoudo？

ALCIBIADES。

Thenmarch。Youshallbethecrier。Callicles，youshallcarrythetorch。Whydoyoustare？（ThecrierandtorchbearerwereimportantfunctionariesatthecelebrationoftheEleusinianmysteries。）

CALLICLES。

Idonotmuchlikethefrolic。

ALCIBIADES。

Nay，surelyyouarenottakenwithafitofpiety。Ifallbetruethatistoldofyou，youhaveaslittlereasontothinkthegodsvindictiveasanymanbreathing。Ifyoubenotbelied，acertaingoldengobletwhichIhaveseenatyourhousewasonceinthetempleofJunoatCorcyra。AndmensaythattherewasapriestessatTarentum——

CALLICLES。

Afigforthegods！IwasthinkingabouttheArchons。Youwillhaveanaccusationlaidagainstyouto—morrow。Itisnotverypleasanttobetriedbeforetheking。（ThenameofkingwasgivenintheAtheniandemocracytothemagistratewhoexercisedthosespiritualfunctionswhichinthemonarchicaltimeshadbelongedtothesovereign。Hiscourttookcognisanceofoffencesagainstthereligionofthestate。）

ALCIBIADES。

Neverfear:thereisnotasycophantinAtticawhowoulddaretobreatheawordagainstme，forthegoldenplane—treeofthegreatking。（SeeHerodotus，viii。28。）

HIPPOMACHUS。

Thatplane—tree——

ALCIBIADES。

Nevermindtheplane—tree。Come，Callicles，youwerenotsotimidwhenyouplunderedthemerchantmanoffCapeMalea。Takeupthetorchandmove。Hippomachus，telloneoftheslavestobringasow。（AsowwassacrificedtoCeresattheadmissiontothegreatermysteries。）

CALLICLES。

Andwhatpartareyoutoplay？

ALCIBIADES。

Ishallbehierophant。Herald，toyouroffice。Torchbearer，advancewiththelights。Comeforward，fairnovice。Wewillcelebratetheritewithin。

[Exeunt。]……

CRITICISMSONTHEPRINCIPALITALIANWRITERS。

No。I。DANTE。

（January1824。）

"Fairestofstars，lastinthetrainofnight，Ifbetterthoubelongnottothedawn，Surepledgeofday，thatcrown’stthesmilingmornWiththybrightcirclet。"Milton。

InareviewofItalianliterature，Dantehasadoubleclaimtoprecedency。Hewastheearliestandthegreatestwriterofhiscountry。Hewasthefirstmanwhofullydescriedandexhibitedthepowersofhisnativedialect。TheLatintongue，which，underthemostfavourablecircumstances，andinthehandsofthegreatestmasters，hadstillbeenpoor，feeble，andsingularlyunpoetical，andwhichhad，intheageofDante，beendebasedbytheadmixtureofinnumerablebarbarouswordsandidioms，wasstillcultivatedwithsuperstitiousveneration，andreceived，inthelaststageofcorruption，morehonoursthanithaddeservedintheperiodofitslifeandvigour。Itwasthelanguageofthecabinet，oftheuniversity，ofthechurch。Itwasemployedbyallwhoaspiredtodistinctioninthehigherwalksofpoetry。Incompassiontotheignoranceofhismistress，acavaliermightnowandthenproclaimhispassioninTuscanorProven嘺lrhymes。Thevulgarmightoccasionallybeedifiedbyapiousallegoryinthepopularjargon。Butnowriterhadconceiveditpossiblethatthedialectofpeasantsandmarket—womenshouldpossesssufficientenergyandprecisionforamajesticanddurablework。Danteadventuredfirst。Hedetectedtherichtreasuresofthoughtanddictionwhichstilllaylatentintheirore。Herefinedthemintopurity。Heburnishedthemintosplendour。Hefittedthemforeverypurposeofuseandmagnificence。Andhehasthusacquiredtheglory，notonlyofproducingthefinestnarrativepoemofmoderntimesbutalsoofcreatingalanguage，distinguishedbyunrivalledmelody，andpeculiarlycapableoffurnishingtoloftyandpassionatethoughtstheirappropriategarbofsevereandconciseexpression。

TomanythismayappearasingularpanegyricontheItaliantongue。Indeedthegreatmajorityoftheyounggentlemenandyoungladies，who，whentheyareaskedwhethertheyreadItalian，answer"yes，"nevergobeyondthestoriesattheendoftheirgrammar，——ThePastorFido，——oranactofArtaserse。TheycouldassoonreadaBabylonianbrickasacantoofDante。Henceitisageneralopinion，amongthosewhoknowlittleornothingofthesubject，thatthisadmirablelanguageisadaptedonlytotheeffeminatecantofsonnetteers，musicians，andconnoisseurs。

ThefactisthatDanteandPetrarchhavebeentheOromasdesandArimanesofItalianliterature。IwishnottodetractfromthemeritsofPetrarch。Noonecandoubtthathispoemsexhibit，amidstsomeimbecilityandmoreaffectation，muchelegance，ingenuity，andtenderness。TheypresentuswithamixturewhichcanonlybecomparedtothewhimsicalconcertdescribedbythehumorouspoetofModena:

"S’udiangliusignuoli，alprimoalbore，Egliasinicantarversid’amore。"

（Tassoni;SecchiaRapita，cantoi。stanza6。）

Iamnot，however，atpresentspeakingoftheintrinsicexcellenciesofhiswritings，whichIshalltakeanotheropportunitytoexamine，butoftheeffectwhichtheyproducedontheliteratureofItaly。Thefloridandluxuriouscharmsofhisstyleenticedthepoetsandthepublicfromthecontemplationofnoblerandsternermodels。Intruth，thougharudestateofsocietyisthatinwhichgreatoriginalworksaremostfrequentlyproduced，itisalsothatinwhichtheyareworstappreciated。

Thismayappearparadoxical;butitisprovedbyexperience，andisconsistentwithreason。Tobewithoutanyreceivedcanonsoftasteisgoodforthefewwhocancreate，butbadforthemanywhocanonlyimitateandjudge。Greatandactivemindscannotremainatrest。Inacultivatedagetheyaretoooftencontentedtomoveoninthebeatenpath。Butwherenopathexiststheywillmakeone。ThustheIliad，theOdyssey，theDivineComedy，appearedindarkandhalfbarbaroustimes:andthusofthefeworiginalworkswhichhavebeenproducedinmorepolishedagesweowealargeproportiontomeninlowstationsandofuninformedminds。Iwillinstance，inourownlanguage，thePilgrim’sProgressandRobinsonCrusoe。Ofalltheproseworksoffictionwhichwepossess，theseare，Iwillnotsaythebest，butthemostpeculiar，themostunprecedented，themostinimitable。HadBunyanandDefoebeeneducatedgentlemen，theywouldprobablyhavepublishedtranslationsandimitationsofFrenchromances"byapersonofquality。"IamnotsurethatweshouldhavehadLearifShakspearehadbeenabletoreadSophocles。