THE ARGUMENT. TEOCLES and Polynices having dethroned their Father Oedipus King of Thebes, agree to reign alternately. Oedipus invokes the Fury Tifiphone to punish them; fhe fows Diffention between them. Eteocles is chofen by Lot to reign the first Year. An univerfal Difcontent prevails among the Thebans. Jupiter calls a Council of the Gods, and declares his Intention of punishing Thebes and Argos. He fends Mercury to call up the Ghost of Laius from the Shades. On Eteocles's refufing to give up the Sceptre at the Expiration of his Year, Polynices goes to Argos to folicit the Aid of Adraftus against him. He is overtaken by a heavy Storm, and being very much fatigued, yes down at Adraftus's Gate. Tydeus arrives at the fame place by chance. They quarrel and fight. Adraftus, alarmed at the Noife, comes out, reconciles, and entertains them very hofpitably. He relates the Origin of a Sacrifice which was then celebrating, and addresses a Prayer to Apollo, which concludes the Book. THE THEBAID OF STATIUS. OF BOOK THE FIRST. guilty Thebes, to foreign Arms a Prey, 5 Verfe 5. Say, Goddefs] STATIUS has been pretty feverely handled by fome ingenious Critics among the Moderns for this feeming Doubt where to commence his Narration. Tho' I cannot pretend to exculpate him entirely for running counter to the Rules laid down by Horace; yet I cannot but hope, he will appear lefs worthy of Cenfure than he has hitherto done, if we fuppofe, that the Poet judged the greatest Part of his Roman Readers ignorant of the Theban Hiftory (as undoubtedly they were) and yet it was neceffary, they fhould have fome previous Knowledge of it, in order to understand his Poem, and the Allufions, he frequently makes to the History and Customs of that Nation. But how were they to be acquainted with it? Was he to have directly collected the Heads of it, and declar'd his Intention? No: that would have been the greatest Affront he could have put upon them, which our Author was fufficiently aware of. Let us admire then the Art and Dexterity of the Poet, who has extricated himself from the Embaraffments he lay under by this polite and ingenious Device. If he has offended, it is a glorious Offence, or (to ufe the Words of Mr. Poje) a Grace fnatch'd beyond the Rules of Art. v. 6. From Cadmus] Cadmus was the Son of Agenor: this obftinate Prince infifted on his travelling in queft of his Sifter Europa, who had been carried off by Jupiter in the Form of a Bull. The Hero comply'd, but not finding his Sifter, fettled near Thebes. Shall I describe him on the raging Sea, Obfequious to the Monarch's ftern Decree? Then tell, from whence th' aspiring Nation rose, Danc'd into Form, to grace a future State? What fatal Caufes could fo far incenfe 15 20 The Queen of Heav'n, and what the dire Offence, 25 30 v. 11. How often'] The Poets feign, Amphion play'd fo fweetly upon the Lyre, that the Stones and Rocks danc'd into Walls and built the City afterwards call'd Thebes. v. 15. When Athamas] He was the Father of Palemon, and Husband of Inc: but being feized with Lunacy thro' the Malice of June, purfu'd his Children with his Bow and Arrows. Whereupon the wretched Mother leaped into the Sea with one of her Sons. v. 29. Nor thou commiffion'd] Virgil and Lucan gave the Precedent of this fulfome and almost impious Flattery, in Compliment to Auguftus By wild Ambition led away, refign The Roman Helm to feebler Hands than thine. The Time will come, when a diviner Flame Beheld Ifmenos roll a mingled Heap Of Arms and Warriors to the frighted Deep. Th' expiring Prophet, or Ætolian's Rage? Say, wilt thou fing, how grim with hoftile Blood, 35 40 45 50 55 Auguftus and Nero. I hope the Reader will dispense with my tranfcribing the Paffages, as they would fweil the Compass of thefe Notes beyond what was intended. See Georgics, Lib. I. & Pharfalia, Lib. I. A 2 Lament |