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over it； and again to run it over at several sudden and reiterated
glances。 If one book do not please me； I take another； and I never
meddle with any； but at such times as I am weary of doing nothing。
I care not much for new ones； because the old seem fuller and stronger；
neither do I converse much with Greek authors； because my judgment cannot
do its work with imperfect intelligence of the material。
Amongst books that are simply pleasant； of the moderns； Boccaccio's
Decameron； Rabelais； and the Basia of Johannes Secundus （if those may be
ranged under the title） are worth reading for amusement。 As to the
Amadis； and such kind of stuff； they had not the credit of arresting even
my childhood。 And I will； moreover； say； whether boldly or rashly； that
this old； heavy soul of mine is now no longer tickled with Ariosto； no；
nor with the worthy Ovid； his facility and inventions； with which I was
formerly so ravished； are now of no more relish； and I can hardly have
the patience to read them。 I speak my opinion freely of all things； even
of those that； perhaps； exceed my capacity； and that I do not conceive to
be； in any wise； under my jurisdiction。 And； accordingly； the judgment I
deliver； is to show the measure of my own sight； and not of the things I
make so bold to criticise。 When I find myself disgusted with Plato's
'Axiochus'； as with a work； with due respect to such an author be it
spoken； without force； my judgment does not believe itself： it is not so
arrogant as to oppose the authority of so many other famous judgments of
antiquity； which it considers as its tutors and masters； and with whom it
is rather content to err； in such a case； it condemns itself either to
stop at the outward bark； not being able to penetrate to the heart； or to
consider it by sortie false light。 It is content with only securing
itself from trouble and disorder； as to its own weakness； it frankly
acknowledges and confesses it。 It thinks it gives a just interpretation
to the appearances by its conceptions presented to it； but they are weak
and imperfect。 Most of the fables of AEsop have diverse senses and
meanings； of which the mythologists chose some one that quadrates well to
the fable； but； for the most part； 'tis but the first face that presents
itself and is superficial only； there yet remain others more vivid；
essential； and profound； into which they have not been able to penetrate；
and just so 'tis with me。
But； to pursue the business of this essay； I have always thought that； in
poesy； Virgil； Lucretius； Catullus； and Horace by many degrees excel the
rest； and signally； Virgil in his Georgics； which I look upon as the most
accomplished piece in poetry； and in comparison of which a man may easily
discern that there are some places in his AEneids； to which the author
would have given a little more of the file； had he had leisure： and the
fifth book of his AEneids seems to me the most perfect。 I also love
Lucan； and willingly read him； not so much for his style； as for his own
worth； and the truth and solidity of his opinions and judgments。 As for
good Terence； the refined elegance and grace of the Latin tongue； I find
him admirable in his vivid representation of our manners and the
movements of the soul； our actions throw me at every turn upon him； and
I cannot read him so often that I do not still discover some new grace
and beauty。 Such as lived near Virgil's time complained that some should
compare Lucretius to him。 I am of opinion that the comparison is； in
truth； very unequal： a belief that； nevertheless； I have much ado to
assure myself in； when I come upon some excellent passage in Lucretius。
But if they were so angry at this comparison； what would they say to the
brutish and barbarous stupidity of those who； nowadays； compare him with
Ariosto？ Would not Ariosto himself say？
〃O seclum insipiens et inficetum！〃
＇〃O stupid and tasteless age。〃Catullus； xliii。 8。＇
I think the ancients had more reason to be angry with those who compared
Plautus with Terence； though much nearer the mark； than Lucretius with
Virgil。 It makes much for the estimation and preference of Terence； that
the father of Roman eloquence has him so often； and alone of his class；
in his mouth； and the opinion that the best judge of Roman poets
＇Horace； De Art。 Poetica； 279。＇ has passed upon his companion。 I
have often observed that those of our times； who take upon them to write
comedies （in imitation of the Italians； who are happy enough in that way
of writing）； take three or four plots of those of Plautus or Terence to
make one of their own； and ； crowd five or six of Boccaccio's novels into
one single comedy。 That which makes them so load themselves with matter
is the diffidence they have of being able to support themselves with
their own strength。 They must find out something to lean to； and not
having of their own stuff wherewith to entertain us； they bring in the
story to supply the defect of language。 It is quite otherwise with my
author； the elegance and perfection of his way of speaking makes us lose
the appetite of his plot； his refined grace and elegance of diction
everywhere occupy us： he is so pleasant throughout；
〃Liquidus； puroque simillimus amni；〃
＇〃Liquid； and likest the pure river。〃
Horace； Ep。； ii。 s； 120。＇
and so possesses the soul with his graces that we forget those of his
fable。 This same consideration carries me further： I observe that the
best of the ancient poets have avoided affectation and the hunting after；
not only fantastic Spanish and Petrarchic elevations； but even the softer
and more gentle touches； which are the ornament of all succeeding poesy。
And yet there is no good judgment that will condemn this in the ancients；
and that does not incomparably more admire the equal polish； and that
perpetual sweetness and flourishing beauty of Catullus's epigrams； than
all the stings with which Martial arms the tails of his。 This is by the
same reason that I gave before； and as Martial says of himself：
〃Minus illi ingenio laborandum fuit；
in cujus locum materia successerat：〃
＇〃He had the less for his wit to do that the subject itself
supplied what was necessary。〃Martial； praef。 ad lib。 viii。＇
The first； without being moved； or without getting angry； make themselves
sufficiently felt； they have matter enough of laughter throughout； they
need not tickle themselves； the others have need of foreign assistance；
as they have the less wit they must have the more body； they mount on
horseback； because they are not able to stand on their own legs。 As in
our balls； those mean fellows who teach to dance； not being able to
represent the presence and dignity of our noblesse； are fain to put
themselves forward with dangerous jumping； and other strange motions and
tumblers tricks； and the ladies are less put to it in dance； where there
are various coupees； changes； and quick motions of body； than in some
other of a more sedate kind； where they are only to move a natural pace；
and to represent their ordinary grace and