In Pursuance of my Design of endeavouring to be as like _Virgil_ as possible; I have chosen Blank Verse, rather than Rhime. For besides that the Fetters of Rhime often cramp the Expression, and spoil the Verse, and so you can both translate more closely, and also more fully express the Spirit of your Author, without it, than with it; I say besides This, supposing other Circumstances were equal, Blank Verse is _in it self better_. It is not only more Majestick, and Sublime, but more Musical, and Harmonious: It has more _Rhime_ in it, according to the ancient, and true Sense of the Word, than Rhime it self, as it is now used. For in it's original Signification, it consists not in the Tinkling of Vowels, and Consonants; but in the metrical Disposition of Words, and Syllables, and the proper Cadence of Numbers; which is more agreeable to the Ear, without the Jingling of like Endings, than with it. The Reader may say, To whose Ear is it so? To Yours perhaps; but not to Mine. And I grant all This to be matter of Fact, rather than of Reason; and to be determined by Votes, rather than Arguments. And accordingly a great Majority of the best Genius's, and Judges in Poetry now living, with many of whom I have frequently conversed upon this Subject, have determined in favour of this way of Writing. And among Those who are dead, the same was the Opinion not only of my Lord _Roscommon_ (to omit others,) but of [21]Mr. _Dryden_ Himself; who was the best Rhimer, as well as the best Poet, of the Age in which he lived. And indeed let but a Man consult his own Ears. _----Him the Almighty Pow'r Hurl'd headlong, flaming from th' ethereal Sky, With hideous Ruin, and Combustion, down To bottomless Perdition; there to dwell In Adamantine Chains, and penal Fire; Who durst defy th' Omnipotent to Arms. Nine times the Space that measures Day, and Night To mortal Men, he with his horrid Crew Lay vanquish'd, rowling in the fiery Gulph, Confounded, tho' immmortal----_