The scholar's learning, with the courtier's ease.[266] In grave Quintilian's[267] copious work, we find The justest rules, and clearest method joined: 670 Thus useful arms in magazines we place, All ranged in order, and disposed with grace, But less to please the eye, than arm the hand, Still fit for use, and ready at command.[268] Thee, bold Longinus! all the Nine inspire,[269] 675 And bless their critic with a poet's fire. An ardent judge, who, zealous in his trust, With warmth gives sentence, yet is always just: Whose own example strengthens all his laws; And is himself that great sublime he draws.[270] 680 Thus long succeeding critics justly reigned, Licence repressed, and useful laws ordained. Learning and Rome alike in empire grew; And arts still followed where her eagles flew; From the same foes, at last, both felt[271] their doom, 685 And the same age saw learning fall and Rome.[272] With tyranny, then superstition joined, As that the body, this enslaved the mind;[273] Much was believed, but little understood,[274] And to be dull was construed to be good;[275] 690 A second deluge learning thus o'er-run, And the monks finished what the Goths begun.[276] At length Erasmus, that great injured name, (The glory of the priesthood and the shame!)[277] Stemmed the wild torrent of a barb'rous age,[278] 695 And drove those holy Vandals off the stage. But see! each muse, in Leo's golden days, Starts from her trance, and trims her withered bays, Rome's ancient genius, o'er its ruins spread,[279] Shakes off the dust, and rears his rev'rend head. 700 Then sculpture and her sister-arts revive; Stones leaped to form, and rocks began to live;[280] With sweeter notes each rising temple rung;[281] A Raphael painted, and a Vida sung.[282] Immortal Vida: on whose honoured brow 705 The poet's bays and critic's ivy grow:[283] Cremona now shall ever boast thy name, As next in place to Mantua, next in fame![284] But soon by impious arms from Latium chased, Their ancient bounds the banished Muses passed.[285] 710 Thence arts o'er all the northern world advance, But critic-learning flourished most in France; The rules a nation, born to serve,[286] obeys; And Boileau still in right of Horace sways.[287] But we, brave Britons, foreign laws despised, 715 And kept unconquered, and uncivilized; Fierce for the liberties of wit, and bold, We still defied the Romans, as of old.[288] Yet some there were, among the sounder few Of those who less presumed, and better knew, 720 Who durst assert the juster ancient cause, And here restored wit's fundamental laws.