"the purposes of religion," is surely a very singular and narrow sentiment. Who would not rejoice at the recovery of some of those historical records which are expressly mentioned as containing at large, facts only given in abridgment by the extant Jewish writers? And what reader of the Bible, not destitute of common feeling, will concur in the critic's assertion, that the effect of the theocratical system is to prevent us from readily sympathising in the joys and griefs of those who lived under it? That mind must indeed be strangely impressed with the character of theocracy, which is rendered incapable of being interested by the natural circumstances in the adventures of Joseph or David. That the intermixture of poetical fiction in such narrations is a matter of much delicacy, will readily be acknowledged; since if the additions are not perfectly conformable to the original ground-work, they will prove offensive to those who are firm believers in the authenticity and importance of the scriptural records. But there seems no reason why the amplifications and ornaments usual in sober epick poetry should not be as admissible in a subject of Jewish history, as in one of any other. Dr. Johnson was not, perhaps, aware at the time of writing, what a sweeping clause in critical legislation he was propounding, and how many fine works were involved in his condemnation. The particular merit of the "Davideis" is quite another consideration; and it appears to have been estimated by the critic with his usual perspicacity. Cowley's genius was, indeed, altogether unsuitable to the epick. His place is among the ingenious poets, and he may justly rank the first in his class. ELEGIA DEDICATORIA, AD ILLUSTRISSIMAM ACADEMIAM CANTABRIGIENSEM. HOC tibi de nato, ditissima mater, egeno Tu speculum poteris hìc reperire tuum? Hei mihi, quid fato genetrix accedis iniquo? Si mihi natali Musarum adolescere in arvo. Si benè dilecto luxuriare solo, Nec pede adhuc firmo, nec firmo dente, negati Quas recreant avium Pieridúmque chori ! Ah mihi si vestræ reddat bona gaudia sedis, Ille quidem immerito, sed tibi gratus erat. Quid mihi Sequanâ opus, Tamesisve aut Thybridis unda ? Tu potis es nostram tollere, Came, sitim. Felix, qui nunquam plus uno viderit amne! Quique eadem Salicis littora more colit! Felix, qui non tentatus sordescere mundus, Et cui pauperies nota nitere potest! Tempore cui nullo misera experientia constat, Ut res humanas sentiat esse nihil! At nos exemplis fortuna instruxit opimis, Et documentorum satque supérque dedit. Cum capite avulsum diadema, infractáque sceptra, Contusásque hominum sorte minante minas, Parcarum ludos, & non tractabile fatum, Et versas fundo vidimus orbis opes. |