and by Scepticks and Libertines are resolv’d into Chance. I humbly conceive therefore that this want of Dramatical Justice in the Tragedy of _Coriolanus_ gave occasion for a just Alteration, and that I was oblig’d to sacrifice to that Justice _Aufidius_ and the Tribunes, as well as _Coriolanus_. Thus have we endeavour’d to shew that, for want of the Poetical Art, _Shakespear_ lay under very great Disadvantages. At the same time we must own to his Honour, that he has often perform’d Wonders without it, in spight of the Judgment of so great a Man as _Horace_. Natura fieret laudabile carmen, an arte, Quæsitum est: ego nec studium sine divite vena, Nec rude quid prosit video ingenium; alterius sic Altera poscit opem res, & conjurat amice. But from this very Judgment of _Horace_ we may justly conclude that _Shakespear_ would have wonderfully surpass’d himself, if Art had been join’d to Nature. There never was a greater Genius in the World than _Virgil_: He was one who seems to have been born for this glorious End, that the _Roman_ Muse might exert in him the utmost Force of her Poetry: And his admirable and divine Beauties are manifestly owing to the happy Confederacy of Art and Nature. It was Art that contriv’d that incomparable Design of the _Æneis_, and it was Nature that executed it. Could the greatest Genius that ever was infus’d into Earthly Mold by Heaven, if it had been unguided and unassisted by Art, have taught him to make that noble and wonderful Use of the _Pythagorean_ Transmigration, which he makes in the Sixth Book of his Poem? Had _Virgil_ been a circular Poet, and closely adher’d to History, how could the _Romans_ have been transported with that inimitable Episode of _Dido_, which brought a-fresh into their Minds the _Carthaginian_ War, and the dreadful _Hannibal_? When ’tis evident that that admirable Episode is so little owing to a faithful observance of History, and the exact order of Time, that ’tis deriv’d from a very bold but judicious Violation of these; it being undeniable that _Dido_ liv’d almost 300 Years after _Æneas_. Yet is it that charming Episode that makes the chief Beauties of a third Part of the Poem. For the Destruction of _Troy_ it self, which is so divinely related, is still more admirable by the Effect it produces, which is the Passion of _Dido_. I should now proceed to shew under what Disadvantages _Shakespear_ lay for want of being conversant with the Ancients. But I have already writ a long Letter, and am desirous to know how you relish what has been already said before I go any farther: For I am unwilling to take more Pains before I am sure of giving you some Pleasure. I am, _Sir_, _Your most humble, faithful Servant_. Letter II. _Sir_, Feb. 6. 1710/11.