Page:The Works of Abraham Cowley - volume 1 (ed. Aikin) (1806).djvu/120

civ as in one of any other. Dr. Johnson was not, perhaps, aware at the time of writing, what a sweeping clause in critical legislation he was propounding, and how many fine works were involved in his condemnation. The particular merit of the "Davideis" is quite another consideration; and it appears to have been estimated by the critic with his usual perspicacity. Cowley's genius was, indeed, altogether unsuitable to the epick. His place is among the ingenious poets, and he may justly rank the first in his class.