The work of Herodotus might be versified; but it
would still be a species of History, no less with metre than
without. They are distinguished by this, that the one relates what
has been, the other what might be. On this account Poetry is more
philosophical, and a more excellent thing than History, for Poetry
is chiefly conversant about general truth; History about particular.
In what manner, for example, any person of a certain character would
speak or act, probably or necessarily, this is general; and this is
the object of Poetry, even while it makes use of particular names.
But what Alcibiades did, or what happened to him, this is particular
truth."
{36} Justinus, who lived in the second century, made an epitome of
the history of the Assyrian, Persian, Grecian, Macedonian, and Roman
Empires, from Trogus Pompeius, who lived in the time of Augustus.
{37} Dares Phrygius was supposed to have been a priest of Vulcan,
who was in Troy during the siege, and the Phrygian Iliad ascribed to
him as early as the time of AElian, A.D. 230, was supposed,
therefore, to be older than Homer's.
{38} Quintus Curtius, a Roman historian of uncertain date, who
wrote the history of Alexander the Great in ten books, of which two
are lost and others defective.
{39} Not knowledge but practice.
{40} The Poet Monarch of all Human Sciences.
{41} In "Love's Labour's Lost" a resemblance has been fancied
between this passage and Rosalind's description of Biron, and the
jest:-
"Which his fair tongue--conceit's expositor -
Delivers in such apt and gracious words,
That aged ears play truant at his tables,
And younger hearings are quite ravished,
So sweet and voluble is his discourse.
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