The PREFACE.
In this Speech Blackmore, in my opinion, is more lucky in the Choice of his Speaker than Virgil was; For doubtless 'tis more for the Honour of the Hero, at least more agreable to the Notions and Religion of our times, and greater advantages might be drawn from another person's telling his Adventures, than if he himself were the Relater of them. But even in this Speech our English Poet seems not to be so regular as is requisite. Lucius begins too high in his Narration. [1]Æneas begins his recital at the building of the Wooden Horse, and the taking of Troy; this is regular, and answers exactly to what Dido had desir'd of him. But Lucius, though Hoel only desir'd him to relate Prince Arthur's Story, and King Ʋter's Fate, tells him of the Decay of old Rome; of the Britains shaking off the Roman Yoke; how they were invaded by the Scots and Picts; that at last they were forc'd to send to the Saxons for their Assistance, who instead of Friends became their Masters; and then he comes to relate what was requir'd. Now all that is said before the account of King Ʋter's fighting with the Saxons and his overthrow, is, preliminary and wholy foreign to the main Action. For if we will compute the Duration of the Action of Prince Arthur, according to the Rules by which we compute the Duration of the Action of the Æneid, we must reckon, that it lasted from the Death of King Ʋter, and the overthrow of his Army, which put Prince Arthur upon travelling into Neustria; untill the Death of Tollo, which wholly made way for the resettlement of Prince Arthur. These are my thoughts, but perhaps the Author had other designs in his head, particularly that of preaching Morality and Religion to an Immoral and Irreligious Age; which seems in a great measure to excuse his long Digressions.
- ↑ Fracti bello, satisq; repulsi Ductores Danaum, tot jam labentibus annis, Instarmontis equum. &c. Æn. 2.
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