But since several Thoughts may be natural which are low and groveling, an Epic Poet should not only avoid such Sentiments as are unnatural or affected, but also such as are [mean [9]] and vulgar. Homer has opened a great Field of Raillery to Men of more Delicacy than Greatness of Genius, by the Homeliness of some of his Sentiments.  But, as I have before said, these are rather to be imputed to the Simplicity of the Age in which he lived, to which I may also add, of that which he described, than to any Imperfection in that Divine Poet. Zoilus [10] among the Ancients, and Monsieur Perrault, [11] among the Moderns, pushed their Ridicule very far upon him, on account of some such Sentiments.  There is no Blemish to be observed in Virgil under this Head, and but [a] very few in Milton.

I shall give but one Instance of this Impropriety of [Thought [12]] in Homer, and at the same time compare it with an Instance of the same Nature, both in Virgil and Milton.  Sentiments which raise Laughter, can very seldom be admitted with any Decency into an Heroic Poem, whose Business it is to excite Passions of a much nobler Nature. Homer, however, in his Characters of Vulcan [13] and Thersites [14], in his Story of Mars and Venus, [15] in his Behaviour of Irus [16] and in other Passages, has been observed to have lapsed into the Burlesque Character, and to have departed from that serious Air which seems essential to the Magnificence of an Epic Poem.  I remember but one Laugh in the whole AEneid, which rises in the fifth Book, upon Monaetes, where he is represented as thrown overboard, and drying himself upon a Rock.  But this Piece. of Mirth is so well timed, that the severest Critick can have nothing to say against it; for it is in the Book of Games and Diversions, where the Readers Mind may be supposed to be sufficiently relaxed for such an Entertainment.  The only Piece of Pleasantry in Paradise Lost, is where the Evil Spirits are described as rallying the Angels upon the Success of their new invented Artillery.  This Passage I look upon to be the most exceptionable in the whole Poem, as being nothing else but a String of Punns, and those too very indifferent ones.

 —­Satan beheld their Plight,
  And to his Mates thus in Derision call’d. 
  O Friends, why come not on those Victors proud? 
  Ere-while they fierce were coming, and when we,
  To entertain them fair with open Front,
  And Breast, (what could we more?) propounded terms
  Of Composition, straight they chang’d their Minds,
  Flew off, and into strange Vagaries fell
  As they would dance:  yet for a Dance they seem’d
  Somewhat extravagant, and wild; perhaps
  For Joy of offer’d Peace; but I suppose
  If our Proposals once again were heard,
  We should compel them to a quick Result.