THE BEAUTIES OF ENGLISH POETRY, OR A COLLECTION OF POEMS EXTRACTED FROM THE BEST AUTHORS. SOLD by PARIS: VERGANI, Editor, quai de l'hor- FAVRE, Palais Egalité, gale- The ninth year. PREFACE. POETRY OETRY may be said to claim our first attention, as it was originally intended to teach mankind the most important precepts of morality and virtue, by which the human soul is not only exalted and refined, but the heart is fortified against all the various assaults of human calamities, and by which we are taught to consider happiness as entirely depending on the reflections of our own minds. We shall be sufficiently convinced of these truths, if we only consider the particular end and design of the several species of poetry. The Epic Poem was intended to convey instructions disguised under the allegory of an important and heroic action. The Ode to celebrate the exploits of great men, in order to excite a general imitation in others. Tragedy, to inspire us with a detestation of guilt, by painting the fatal consequences that follow it; and with a veneration for virtue, by representing the rewards and |