important and heroic action. The ODE to celebrate the exploits of great men, in order to excite a general imitation in others. TraGEDY, to inspire us with a detestation of guilt, by painting the fatal consequences that follow it; and with a veneration for virtue, by representing the rewards and just praises that attend it. Comedy and SATIRE, to correct whilst they divert us, and wage implacable war with vice and folly. ELEGY, to weep over the tombs of such as deserve to be la. mented; and PASTORAL, to fing the innocence and pieasures of rural life. To promote such desirable ends, the study of Poetry has ever met with the fanction and encouragement of men the most eminent for their wisdoin and virtue : and it is much to be feared that those whose imaginations are not enlivened by the charms of Poetry, must either have their affections depraved, or be naturally insensible of the exquisite pleasure resulting from the proper exercise of them. To allure those who are inattentive to the excellence of virtue, and direct their thoughts to the noblest qualifications, induced the Editor of this small yolume to select such poems as have been universally esteemed the first ornaments of our language, and admired, not only for purity of sentiment, but for beauty and harmony of numbers, I II On the Immortality of the Soul. Mefliah, a Sacred Eclogue. PAGE, 4 80 Adain's Morning Hymn. Milloin, Corydon, a Pastoral. Cumingban. A Father's Advice to his Son. Ode on a diftant Prospect of Eton College. The Country Clergyman. Goldmith. Ode to the New Year. Cunningham. Elegy in a Country Church-yard. Gray. Reflections on Human Life. Thomson. |