Υμεις, ω παντα εν πάσι φυσει και παιδεια χρηστοι, και με Athenagoræ Atheniensis Legatio Imperatoribus Antonino et Commodo.- Αγε δη χαιρων (αυθις) χώρει, .. .. Aristophan. Ran. V. 1548. THE TWELFTH EDITION WITH THE CITATIONS TRANSLATED. LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. BECKET, 81, PALL MALL. 111 In perusing the Notes to the Pursuits of Literature the Reader is requested to attend particularly to their respective dates. May 1803. 1Jaques and Co. Printers, Lombard Street, Fleet Streer.] THE PREFACE.(a) Νυν, ω βελτιστε Κηφισοφων, οιδ' οιοι δτοι εισιν οι της περι Euripidis Epist. ex Macedonia ad amicum suum I HAVE again revised the Poem on the Pursuits of Li. terature with considerable care, as I am of opinion that no man of candour, and reflection could wish to see any mistakes, in a work so extensive, continued without cor. rection, nor the various parts of it presented to the pub: lic without such improvements, alterations, and additions to the poetry and the notes, as circumstances have arisen (a) This Preface was first published in December 1800; from time to time; and though words are irrevocable, yet the last corrections of any author should be considered as the sense which he wishes to enforce. Impertinence and falshood I have at all times equally despised, and equally neglected. It will be seen however that by omissions and alterations I have manifested a liberal concern for my unintentional mistakes, with the spirit and breeding of a gentleman, a character which I never will forfeit nor resign deliberately, but with my life. “ Of all the Baotian Eritics who have written " scurrilously against me, there is not indeed one whom a “ writer of reputation would not wish to have his enemy. “ To my authorship they are heartily welcome. Rome “ permitted her slaves to calumniate her best citizens in " the day of triumph.” (6) Eh! qui veut rassembler aux grénouilles d'Homere, For as to the smarting scribblers, cumbrous black-letter pedants, and translating poetasters of the day, incidentally mentioned in the poem, with all their little bundles of answers and remarks nameless and forgotten, I would only conduct them before the statue of Marsyas, (c) to read their (6) Warburton's Preface to Pope's Works. (c) The statue of Marsyas, (the Phrygian Satyr who challenged Apollo, and being vanquished by him suffered severely as an example) was set up at the entrance of the Forum in Rome, and Horace says, “ OBEÚNDUS MARSYA;" for the plain English of which see Mr. BOSCAWEN's Translation. |