Page:Proofs of the Enquiry into Homer's Life and Writings.pdf/69

Rh 56

Proofs 0/' the Enquiry into

Sect. And indeed the Affinity between Poetry and IX. Prophecy is so great, that one would easily misx-^>~m-1 take the Definition of the former for the latter. f The whole of Poesy, says the admired Phi-i58.(p) < los0pherj ^ naturally mysterious and Enigma* ' ' ' I J 1
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tical ; nor is it the Province of every Man to explain it ; And besides its being so by Nature, when it falls into the hands of an e%vious Man, who does not care to shew, but rather inclines to hide, as much as possible, his Wisdom and Knowledge, it is inconceivable how hard a business it becomes, and how difficult, to conjecture what each of them on every Point would be at.' PLATO's Alcibiades II.





A Prophet or Prophetess, when in the Exer cise of their exalted Function, are far above all earthly Considerations ; i^.fc) So God himself commands, the Priestess so i$o. (r) Osgreat Bellona prophesy'd divine. She, when the Goddess moves, infuriate grown, Fears neither rattling Flames, nor knotty Scourge; She wounds her streaming Arms with many a Gap, Andstands before the blood-besprinkled Shrine ; Shestands her Side thrust thro', her Bosom gor% Andstngs, taught by the Goddess, things to come. Tibullus. This Rh