PRE FAC E. Y various accidental causes, particularly the BY residence of the author and editor in different kingdoms, the appearance of this work has been delayed much longer than was at first intended; but as time always affords opportunity for correction and improvement, I find upon the whole no reason to regret that the expedition of the press did not keep pace with my wish to see the task which I had undertaken more speedily completed. By this delay I had also the advantage of several judicious observations suggested by the vigilant sagacity of my editor; which produced at least considerable additions to the matter contained in the text and annotations. His patience, indeed, I have always found unwearied, like his friendship; and it gives me sincere pleasure to think, that, being now disengaged from any further kind attention to my fame, he will have more uninterrupted leisure to pursue a 2 pursue other subjects, in which the publick may be much more interested. Whatever deficiency may be found in the execution of the following poem, some small merit may perhaps be allowed to the novelty of the design; to which I know nothing similar in our language, unless the ingenious and learned Mr. Hayley's History of Historians, in verse, may be considered in some sort as its precursor. It would have been no very difficult task to have swelled the size of this volume to a much larger bulk, by multiplying citations from the ancient authors where the original materials of which it is composed may be found; but though some were necessary, I thought too many might be tedious, and of no utility. Such as are inserted, were chosen rather for their brevity, than for any other reason of preference. In some modern productions it has been the fashion to make new discoveries in the ancient his tory tory of Rome, and to assign new motives and qua lities to several of the principal agents; but the present seems to me to be too late a period for such investigations: they contribute less perhaps to establish right opinions, than to shake the credit of all history, and to leave the mind suspended between assent and incredulity. In every material point, (the story of the sufferings of Regulus excepted, for which Polybius must be consulted,) I find all the best writers concur; and I could not presume to advance any bold paradoxes, when I was convinced that I should want authorities, or sufficient ingenuity, to support them. A French writer of the present century, M. de St. Foix, in his account of the streets of Paris, afferts roundly, that our kings, Edward the third and Henry the fifth, were cowards; and I think, adds, were defeated at Cressy and Agincourt. He meant no doubt by a violation of truth to flatter the vanity of one nation, and to mortify that of another; but I could not be in duced. duced by the love of novelty to affirm that Sylla was not cruel, or that Julius Cæsar was unmerciful. I cannot forbear to flatter myself, that the reader will not be disappointed, should he not find in this book what the author never intended it should contain. It does not come within the province of poetry to attempt deep political disquisitions, or the adjustment of points which have fruftrated the conjectures of the critick, and the antiquary's persevering researches. As to the policy of the Romans, the penetration of Montesquieu has left little for future investigation; and there are even in our own language details of the events sufficiently copious and satisfactory. But to understand the history of Rome, it is not enough to read her historians; we must also acquaint ourselves with their characters: otherwise we may pay the same deference to the misrepresentations of Dion, and the prodigies of Plutarch, as to the authenticity of Salluft, Tully, and Tacitus. What What is to be found here, is not intended for the master, but the student; it is meant rather to incite, than to satisfy. My purpose will be answered, and my ambition gratified, should it awaken in the mind a laudable desire of more knowledge, young and revive not unpleasingly in the breast of more mature scholars the recollection of those admirable writers, and illustrious characters, who claimed their attention in their early studies; the reverence for whom seems to increase, like the magnitude of mountains, in proportion to our distance from them. A great object approached too nearly can be but partially examined; at a due removal from it we discover all its sublimity. I may presume it will not be necessary to make any apology for opinions expressed in several notes, where modern politicks and recent events are assimilated with ancient. Mine have been dictated by real admiration of, and reverence for, the most excellent constitution, and the happiest form of government, that ever regulated human affections |