In revising this work for a new edition the most important change I have made is in the account of Terence, contained in Chapter VII. I have to acknowledge the kind permission of Messrs. A. & C. Black to make use of the article on Terence which I wrote for the Encyclopaedia Britannica, in which I first expressed the modification of my views on that author. I have added some notes to the Chapter on Catullus, suggested by the opinions expressed in the Prolegomena to the Edition of B. Schmidt. In the Chapter on Naevius I have availed myself of a suggestion contained in a paper by Prof. A. F. West, 'On a Patriotic Passage in the Miles Gloriosus of Plautus,' which appeared in the American Journal of Philology, for my knowledge of which I am indebted to his courtesy in sending the article to me. I have introduced various verbal changes in different parts of the book, implying some slight modification of the opinions originally expressed. Several of these were suggested by critics who noticed the earlier editions of the book, to whom I beg to express my thanks. W. Y. S. _January, 1889._ CONTENTS CHAPTER I. GENERAL CHARACTER OF ROMAN POETRY. PAGE Recent change in the estimate of Roman Poetry 1 Want of originality 2 As compared with Greek Poetry 2 " " with Roman Oratory and History 3 The most complete literary monument of Rome 5 Partly imitative, partly original 6 Imitative in forms 7 " in metres 8 Imitative element in diction 9 " " in matter 11 Original character, partly Roman, partly Italian 13 National spirit 14 Imaginative sentiment 15 Moral feeling 16 Italian element in Roman Poetry 17 Love of Nature 17 Passion of Love 19 Personal element in Roman Poetry 20 Four Periods of Roman Poetry 23 Character of each 24 Conclusion 26 CHAPTER II. VESTIGES OF INDIGENOUS POETRY IN ROME AND ANCIENT ITALY.