26 to 45 The
multitude
of Critics, and causes of them.
Alexander Pope
This the Beau monde shall from the Mall survey,
And hail with music its propitious ray.
This the blest Lover shall for Venus take, 135
And send up vows from Rosamonda's lake.
This Partridge soon shall view in cloudless skies,
When next he looks thro' Galileo's eyes;
And hence th' egregious wizard shall foredoom
The fate of Louis, and the fall of Rome. 140
Then cease, bright Nymph! to mourn thy ravish'd hair,
Which adds new glory to the shining sphere!
Not all the tresses that fair head can boast,
Shall draw such envy as the Lock you lost.
For, after all the murders of your eye, 145
When, after millions slain, yourself shall die:
When those fair suns shall set, as set they must,
And all those tresses shall be laid in dust,
This Lock, the Muse shall consecrate to fame,
And 'midst the stars inscribe Belinda's name. 150
* * * * *
CONTENTS OF THE ESSAY ON CRITICISM
PART I
Introduction. That 'tis as great a fault to judge ill, as to write
v. 1. ill, and a more dangerous one to the public,
v. 9 to 18 That a true Taste is as rare to be found, as a true
Genius.
v. 19 to 25 That most men are born with some Taste, but spoiled by
false Education.
v.
26 to 45 The multitude of Critics, and causes of them.
v. 46 to 67. That we are to study our own Taste, and know the Limits
of it.
v. 68 to 87 Nature the best guide of Judgment.
v. 88 Improv'd by Art and Rules,--which are but methodis'd
Nature.
v. id, to 110 Rules derived from the Practice of the Ancient Poets.
v. 120 to 138 That therefore the Ancients are necessary to be studyd,
by a Critic, particularly Homer and Virgil.
v. 140 to 180 Of Licenses, and the use of them by the Ancients.
v. 181, etc.
