Three aspects of the poem 300 General scope of the argument 301 Analysis of the poem 303 Question as to its unfinished condition 313 What is the value of the argument? 316 Weakness of his science 317 Interest of the work as an exposition of ancient physical enquiry 325 " from its bearing on modern questions 326 Power of scientific reasoning, observation, and expression 327 Connecting links between his philosophy and poetry 333 Idea of law 333 " of change 336 " of the infinite 339 " of the individual 340 " of the subtlety of Nature 341 " of Nature as a living power 342 CHAPTER XIII. THE RELIGIOUS ATTITUDE AND MORAL TEACHING OF LUCRETIUS. General character of Greek epicureanism 348 Prevalence at Rome in the last age of the Republic 350 New type of epicureanism in Lucretius 352 Forms of evil against which his teaching was directed 355 Superstition 356 Fear of death 361 Ambition 366 Luxury 367 Passion of love 368 Limitation of his ethical views 370 His literary power as a moralist 372 CHAPTER XIV. THE LITERARY ART AND GENIUS OF LUCRETIUS.