Page:Life and Writings of Homer.pdf/67

Rh neither Time nor Skill to frame a Domestick Policy, or Municipal Laws; and far less to think of publick Methods of training up their Citizens: They lived naturally, and were governed by the natural Poise of the Passions, as it is settled in every human Breast. This made them speak and act, without other Restraint than their own native Apprehensions of Good and Evil, Just and Unjust, each as he was prompted from within. These Manners afford the most natural Pictures, and proper Words to paint them.

a peculiar Effect upon the Language, not only as they are natural, but as they are ingenuous and good. While a Nation continues simple and sincere, whatever they say has a Weight from Truth: Their Sentiments are strong and honest; which always produce fit Words to express them : Their Passions are sound and genuine, not adulterated or disguised, and break out in their own artless Phrase and unaffected Stile. They are not accustomed to the Prattle, and little pretty Forms that enervate a polished Speech; nor over-run with Quibble and Sheer-Wit, which makes its Appearance late, and in Greece came long after the Trojan Times. And this I take to be the Reason, “Why most Nations are so delighted with Rh