itions of Horace, 9 of Lucian and 13
(between 1504 and 1629) of Aristotle. This probably means that, along
with other unlisted works known to have been in his possession, his
Ovid was retained by his family or given to a friend. Dryden's
translation of Book One of the _Ars Amoris_ is included among
Fielding's books, however, and Cross suggests that Fielding "kept one
eye" on it. It is surprising how much visualization there is in his
imitation. Many of the incidents resemble those treated by Hogarth,
with whom by 1747 Fielding was on excellent terms. There is also some
resemblance in his contemporaneous materials, or modernization, to
scenes in Fielding's own later plays, and in his novels.

PREFACE

_This Work was begun many Years ago, though altered in some Places by
the Author, before his Death; as will appear by the modern Instances
introduced in it. Many of which being so applicable to the present
Time, is the Occasion of it being now published._

_As to any Exception which may be made to the Impurity of this Work,
we shall transcribe what was written long ago in its Defence, from the
Preface prefixed to Mr. _Dryden_'s Translation of this Poem._

'A great many People are mistaken in these Books; and tho' they were
made use of as a Pretence to drive the Author from the Court of
_Augustus_, and confine him to _Tomos_ on the Frontiers of the _Getae_
and _Sarmatae_, yet they were not the true Cause of his Confinement.
They are very far from being so licentious as the Writings of several
other Poets, both _Greek_ and _Latin_. However we must own he might
have been a little more discreet, especially in some Places[A].

[Note A: He means in the other two Books.]

'That which offended the _Romans_ most in this Work, cannot touch us.
It has always been more dangerous in _Italy_ to converse with Women of
Honour, and frequent their Houses, than 'tis with us; where there is
more Liberty, and what in that Country may be an Occasion of
Debauchery, would not at all be so in ours.

'Notwithstanding all that has been said against these Books _of the
Art of Love_, by some over-scrupulous Persons, whose Discretion has
too much of Affectation in it: they are not only necessary for the
Knowledge of the _Latin_ Tongue, and the _Roman_ History, concerning
which they contain several Things very particular; but for the noble
Sentiments we find in them, which the _Gravest_ and _Learnedest_
Writers have thought worthy to be q