For what remains, I beg to be excufed from the ce remonies of taking leave at the end of my work; and from embarraffing myself, or others, with any defences or apologies about it. But, inftead of endeavouring to raise a vain monument to myself, of the merits or difficulties of it (which must be left to the world, to truth, and to pofterity) let me leave behind me a memorial of my friendship, with one of the most valuable men, as well as fineft writers, of my age and country: one who has tried, and knows by his own experience, how hard an undertaking it is to do juftice to Homer: and one, who (I am sure) fincerely rejoices with me at the period of my labours. To him therefore, having brought this long work to a conclufion, I defire to dedicate it; and to have the honour and fatisfaction of placing together, in this manner, the names of Mr. CONGREVE, and of MARCH 25, A. POPE. Τῶν Θεῶν δὲ εὐποιία και τὸ μὴ ἐπὶ πλέον με προκόψαι ἐν Ποιητικῇ και ἄλλοις ἐπιτηδεύμασι, ἐν οἷς ἴσως ἂν καλεσχέθην, εἰ ἠσθόμην ἐμαυτὸν εὐόδως προϊόντα. M. AUREL. ANTÓN. de feipfo, 1. i. § 14. |