Page:Boileau's Lutrin - a mock-heroic poem. In six canto's. Render'd into English verse. To which is prefix'd some account of Boileau's writings, and this translation. (IA boileauslutrinmo00boil).pdf/29

 to the Greeks, not by copying the Measure of their Numbers, but by imitating the express Sense of the Authors. To bring it nigher Home; we at this Day read Ben. Johnson's Catiline and other Plays of his with Pleasure; yet those who converse with Tully, know who furnish'd him with his Rhetorick.


 * expect the Critics will fall upon me for writing in this Manner to Your Lordship, as if I was giving You a Lesson instead of a Dedication. I must confess it looks something like it. But I rather chuse to repeat to Your Lordship what You already know, than to exhibit a Bill of Your Perfections and Excellencies which all the World knows.

Monsieur Boileau calls this Poem of his, Heroi-Comique, Mock-Heroic; that is, a Ridiculous Action made considerable in Heroic Verse.

If I distinguish right, there are two sorts of Burlesque; the first where things of mean Figure and Slight Concern appear in all the Pomp and Bustle of an Epic Poem; such is this of the Lutrin. The second sort is where great