Page:Proofs of the Enquiry into Homer's Life and Writings.pdf/24

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Homers Life and Writings.
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Hqm e ks Life and Writings.

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  • Greece, fays Thucydides, had anciently no S e c t.
  • settled Inhabitants, but Removes (by reason of

? the Expulsion of Tribes) were frequent in the f early Times.' This rude Life of the first Ages is finely painted by Lucretius No sturdy Plowman yet had learn d to tear Earth'sfruitful Bfom with a crooked Share : None Anew to plant young Trees; none dress'd the Vine, Norprund decaying Boughs, nor press' d the Wine Contented they with the poor easy Store That Sun and Earth bestow'd, they sought no more. They lived toJhady Groves and Caves confin'd, Meer shelterfrom the Cold, the Heat, the Wind. Creech.

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" The ancient Greeks were generally addict- p l6 ^ " ed to Spoil, and covetous of other People's

    • Possessions, for want of good Land at Rome."

Strabo Geograph. ' To this day the Customs that prevail a* mong a great part of the Greek Nations, are of

  • the old Stamp, (that is, Love of Plunder) as

' among the Locri Qzolœ, the Etolians, the

  • Acarnanians, and the Inhabitants of the bor* dering Coasts of Epirus.' Thucydides.

The first Step made towards Policy and good Order, was the ascertaining Property, and ma king Provision for its Defence. The

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