Epistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry (1700) and the Essay on Heroic Poetry (second edition, 1697)Wesley, Samuel
General
Epistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry (1700) and the Essay on Heroic Poetry (second edition, 1697)
Wesley, Samuel
Epic poetry; Poetry
To which it may be first said, that supposing this true, and the Gospel
did present nothing else, yet why mayn't Angels be us'd in it, to warn
Sinners to that Repentance which we know they so much rejoyce in; or
Devils, to punish and torment the Guilty and Impious; as in the Case of
Sceva's Son, and others. But yet further, as to the assertion it self,
I know not what their Gospel offers, nor I believe are they better
acquainted with what ours does; but we are sure 'tis far enough from being
such a dismal melancholy thing as they represent it, since Immortality and
Life are brought to light therein. We know that it gives us the noblest
Examples, the most divine Law, the strongest, yet justest Passions, the
most glorious Combats, and Friendships, and Sufferings, such as neither
History or Fable cou'd ever yet equal. It shews us a God really
Descending, disrob'd indeed of all his more dazling and insupportable
Glories, as our Divine Herbert; but yet clothed with what has more of true
Divinity, with Humility, and Charity, and Patience, and Meekness, and
Innocence. Here's War, here's Love indeed; such as never was besides, or
will be more. He lov'd our Dust and Clay, and even for us, single
encounter'd all the Powers of Darkness, and yet more, his Almighty
Father's anger. But I'll go no farther, lest the Reader should think I
forget where I am. I must return to Boileau, whose strongest Objection is
yet behind; Et de vos Fictions, &c.
And mingling Falshood with those Mysteries
Wou'd make our sacred Truths appear like Lies.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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