ing wonder that it has not near the Life of
his former Poem, any more than the Odysses fell short of the Iliads.
Milton, when he writ this, was grown Older, probably poorer: He had not
that scope for Fable, was confin'd to a lower Walk, and draws out that in
four Books which might have been well compriz'd in one: Notwithstanding
all this, there are many strokes which appear truly his; as the Mustring
of the Parthian Troops, the Description of Rome by the Devil to our
Saviour, and several other places.

And now I've done with all the rest, I may take liberty to say something
of my own.

For the Subject I dare stand by it, that 'tis fit for a better Heroic
Poem than any ever was, or will be made; and that if a good Poem cou'd not
be made on't, it must be either from the weakness of the Art itself, or
for want of a good Artist. I don't say the Subject with all its
Circumstances is the best for Epic, but considered in it self, or with a
prudent choice out of the vast Field of Matter which it affords.

The Action is Important, if ever any was, being no less than the
Redemption of the World, which was not accomplish'd till after our
Saviours Death and Resurrection. The Ascension I confess should be left
out, according to the common Rules of Heroick Poetry, but I had not the
same reason of omitting it, as others have for not coming to the End of
their History, a little short of which they generally stop, because after
the main Business is over, nothing great remains, or however not greater
than has already past. And if any thing mean followed, the Reader wou'd
leave off dissatisfied. But I've as great and remarkable an Action, as any
in the whole story, yet upon my Hands, and which if I had omitted, I had
lost many very moving Incidents that follow'd the Resurrection; and
besides, Vida before me, has carry'd it yet further, to the actual Descent
of the Holy Ghost on the Disciples, and the spreading the Christian Name
all the World over; which I have done only in Prophecy.

The Action is I think uniform, because all the Episodes are part of the
main Action, the Redemption of the World; to which his Incarnation, and
Divine Conception were absolutely necessary, and so were his Holy Life,
Doctrine, Miracles, and especially his Sufferings and Agonies. My
principal Hero was perfect, yet imitable, and that both in active and
contemplative Life. He leaves his own Kingdom to save and conquer another,
endures the greatest hardships,