Of nature, while to my compatriot youth I point the high example of thy fons, And tune to Attic themes the British lyre. END OF THE FIRST BOOK. ARGUMENT. THE feparation of the works of imagination from philosophy, the cause of their abuse among the moderns. Profpect of their re-union under the influence of public liberty. Enumeration of accidental pleasures, which increase the effect of objects delightful to the imagination. The pleasures of fenfe. Particular circumftances of the mind. Difcovery of truth. Perception of contrivance and defign. Emotion of the paffions. All the natural paffions partake of a pleasing sensation; with the final cause of this conftitution illustrated by an allegorical vifion, and exemplified in forrow, pity, terror, and indignation. THE PLEASURES OF IMAGINATION. BOOK II. WHEN fhall the laurel and the vocal ftring Refume their honours? When shall we behold How flow, the dawn of beauty and of truth 5 Breaks the reluctant shades of Gothic night Which yet involve the nations! Long they groan'd Beneath the furies of rapacious force; Oft as the gloomy north, with iron-fwarms Tempestuous pouring from her frozen caves, 10 G 15 Blafted the Italian fhore, and fwept the works Of foft Parthenope. But ftill the rage From public aims and from the busy walk Of civil commerce, drove the bolder train Of penetrating science to the cells, Where ftudious ease confumes the filent hour In fhadowy searches and unfruitful care. 25 Thus from their guardians torn, the tender arts 30 |