Observations on Poetry, Especially the Epic:

formation of any mistakes, I may have
committed in a matter of fpeculation,
on which the fentiments of the learned
have been at all times fo much divided.

Gresham-College.
9 May, 1738.

H. PEMBERTON.

CONTENTS.

SECTION I. Of the nature and primary

intention of epic and dramatic poetry. p. 4

EPIC and dramatic poetry defcribed.

ibid.

The preheminence afcribed by Ariftotle to the fable.

His reafons confidered.

Milton's opinion of the fable.

P. 5

P. 7

p. 9

The most valuable intention, for which epic and dra-

matic poetry are fitted.

ibid.

SECTION II. Of the ufe and dignity of
epic and dramatic poetry.

INSTRUCTIVE in the knowledge of men.

Boffu's opinion concerning the means, whereby these

poems were intended to inftruct.

P. 13

LeClerc's objections to this doctrine approved.p. 16

But the weakness of his inference from thence

fhewn.

Epic poetry lefs extenfively useful upon Boffu's

principles.

When epic poems may be confidered, as having fome
one principal intention, and when not. p. 19

The true foundation of Homer's exalted character

Plato's objections against epic and dramatic poetry

confidered.

P. 20

The use of poetry distinguished from the abuse of it.

P. 21

An answer to the objection drawn from the abuse

of it.

p. 25

SECTION III. Of the fable of epic and

dramatic poems.

UPON what principles the true excellence

fable is to be estimated.

The fable to confift of one compleat action.

P. 26

of the

ibid.

p. 27

What is to be understood by the beginning, and

what by the end of an action.

P. 28

This illuftrated from the Iliad, the Odyssey, and

the Æneid.

ibid.

Of the order of narration in an epic poem. P. 31

The lines of Horace thought to respect this con-

fidered.

Vida's opinion confidered.

P. 33

ibid.

What lays a poem under the cenfure of being hi-

ftorical.

When the natural order ought to be disturbed,

and when not.

P. 34

P. 37

ibid.

Of the compafs of time to be taken up in a dramatic
reprefentation, or epic narration.

Why a whole life, or a long war an unfit fubject

· for an epic poem.

Thefe obfervations applied to the poem on

That the fable is fingle and intire.

3

P. 39

Leonidas.

ibid.

Refembles

Refembles the plan of the Iliad.

p. 40

Why both in the Iliad and this poem the narration

ibid.

is not inverted.

That the fubject of an epic poem be important. p. 41

When it ought to be taken from the hiftory of the poet's

country, and when that is not neceffary. p. 42

Why the poem on Leonidas is not built upon a point

of English history.
p. 43

This poem's being formed on a piece of history not fa-

bulous confidered.

P. 44

SECTION IV. Of fentiment and cha-

ibid.

racter.
P. 45

SENTIMENT and character defined, and diftin-
guished into general and particular.

Invention defcribed, in order to fhew the eminent de-

gree of that faculty, and the real knowledge requi-

redinthe poet for jufly exhibiting character. p. 47

THE characters in the poem on Leonidas.

The character of Xerxes.

The character of Hyperanthes.

The character of Teribazus.

The character of Ariana.

The character of Polydorus.

Concerning fubjects of compassion, and what is

commonly called poetic juftice.

The character of Demaratus.

The character of Alpheus and Dieneces.

The character of Megiftias, with the behaviour

of Menalippus at their parting.

The character of Agis.

ibid.

The general nature and defign of poetry inquired into

in order to specify more particularly the cha-

racteristic of poetic diction.

Ariftotle's definition of poetry defective.
The characteristic of poetry according to Hermo-
genes and Eratofthenes, with Strabo's defence
of the art against this reprefentation of it. ibid.

The nature of poetry according to Fracaftorius.p.73

Wherein the effence of poetry truely confifts. p. 74

Proved by examples from the three greatest poets,

Homer, Virgil, and Milton.

P. 77

The use of epithets in poetry.

p. 83

THE general uses of a figurative style.

p. 85

Tropes and figures defined.

p. 88

Concerning the compofition of words and other va→