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VIZ. LYCIDAS, L'ALLEGRO, IL PENSEROSO,
ARCADES, COMUS, ODES, SONNETS,

MISCELLANIES, ENGLISH PSALMS, ELEGIARUM LIBER,
EPIGRAMMATUM liber, sylvarum liber.

WITH NOTES CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY,
AND OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS,

BY THOMAS WARTON, B. D.
LATE FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE,

PROFESSOR OF POETRY, AND CAMDEN PROFESSOR
OF HISTORY, AT OXFORD.

THE SECOND EDITION,

WITH MANY ALTERATIONS, AND LARGE ADDITIONS.

"SI QUID MEREMUR SANA POSTERITAS SCIET."

AD J. ROUS. v. 86.

LONDON,

PRINTED FOR G. G. J. AND J. ROBINSON,

PATER-NOSTER ROW.

M DCC XCI,

727 106 W55

1741

12

Qunning

11-30-50
72426

PREFACE.

НЕ

TH

poems which compose the present volume were published almost thirty years before the appearance of the PARADISE LOST. During that interval, they were so totally dif regarded, at least by the general reader, as fcarcely to have conferred on their author the reputation of a writer of verfes; much less the distinction and character of a true poet. After the publication of the PARADISE LOST, whose acknowledged merit and increafing celebrity might have naturally contributed to call other pieces of the fame author, and of a kindred excellence, into a more confpicuous point of view, they long continued to remain in their original state of neglect and obfcurity. At the infancy of their circulation, and for fome years afterwards, they were overwhelmed in the commotions of faction, the conflict of religious difputation, and the profeffional ignorance of fanaticifm. In fucceeding years, when tumults and ufurpations were at an end, and leisure and literature returned, the times were still unpropitious, and the public tafte was unprepared for their

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