Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/72

 one Way of doing best at the same time in both, as there can be but one in all limited Arts or Sciences, they that either first find it out, or come the nearest to it, will unquestionably, and of Right, keep the first Station in Men's Esteem, though perhaps they dare not, for fear of disgusting the Age they live in, follow those Methods which they admire so much, and so justly, in those great Masters that went before them.

That these Accidents, and not a particular Force of Genius, raised the Grecian Poesie and Oratory, will further appear, if we reflect upon the History of the Rise and Increase of both those Arts amongst the Romans: Their Learning, as well as their Language, came originally from Greece; they saw what was done to their Hands, and Greek was a living Language; and so, by the help of Masters, they could judge of all its Beauties. Yet, with all their Care, and Skill, and Pains, they could not, of a long time, bring their Poetry to any Smoothness; they found that their Language was not so ductile, they owned it, and complained of it. It had a Majestick Gravity, derived from the People themselves who spoke it; which made it proper for Philosophical and Epical Poems; for which Reason,