Three aspects of the poem 307 General scope of the argument 308 Analysis of the poem 308 Question as to its unfinished condition 321 What is the value of the argument? 324 Weakness of his science 329 Interest of the work as an exposition of ancient physical enquiry 331 " from its bearing on modern questions 332 Power of scientific reasoning, observation, and expression 335 Connecting links between his philosophy and poetry 340 Idea of law 341 " of change 344 " of the infinite 347 " of the individual 348 " of the subtlety of Nature 349 " of Nature as a living power 350 CHAPTER XIII. THE RELIGIOUS ATTITUDE AND MORAL TEACHING OF LUCRETIUS. General character of Greek epicureanism 356 Prevalence at Rome in the last age of the Republic 358 New type of epicureanism in Lucretius 360 Forms of evil against which his teaching was directed 363 Superstition 364 Fear of death 369 Ambition 374 Luxury 375 Passion of love 376 Limitation of his ethical views 378 His literary power as a moralist 381 CHAPTER XIV. THE LITERARY ART AND GENIUS OF LUCRETIUS.