Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/68

 putting all their Theological and Philosophical Instructions into Verse; which being learnt with Pleasure, and remembred with Ease, helped to heighten and preserve the Veneration already, upon other Scores, paid to their Poets. This increased the Number of Rivals, and every one striving to out-do his Neighbour; some by varying their Numbers, others by chusing Subjects likely to please, here and there some, one or two at least of a sort, proved excellent: And then, those who were the most extraordinary in their several Ways, were esteemed as Standards by succeeding Ages; and Rules were framed by their Works, to examine other Poems of the same sort. Thus Aristotle framed Rules of Epick Poesie from Homer: Thus Aristophanes, Menander, Sophocles and Euripides were looked upon as Masters in Dramatick Poesie; and their Practice was sufficient Authority. Thus Mimnermus, Philetas and Callimachus were the Patterns to following Imitators for Elegy and Epigram. Now, Poetry being a limited Art, and these Men, after the often-repeated Trials of others, had proved successless; finding the true Secret of pleasing their Country-men, partly by their Wit and Sence, and partly by the inimitable Sweetness of their Numbers,