The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume V. by Theophilus Cibber
page 287 of 375 (76%)
page 287 of 375 (76%)
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different times was author of.
His notions of the deity were boundlessly extensive; and the few lines here quoted from his Poem upon faith, published in 1746, must give the best idea of his sentiments upon that most elevated of all subjects. What then must be believ'd?--Believe God kind, To fear were to offend him. Fill thy heart With his felt laws; and act the good he loves. Rev'rence his power. Judge him but by his works: Know him but in his mercies. Rev'rence too The most mistaken schemes that mean his praise. Rev'rence his priests.--for ev'ry priest is his,-- Who finds him in his conscience.-- This year he published his Art of Acting, a Poem, deriving Rules from a new Principle, for touching the Passions in a natural Manner, &c. Which was dedicated to the Earl of Chesterfield. Having for many years been in a manner forgetful of the eight Books he had finished of his Epic Poem called Gideon,--in 1749 he re-perused that work, and published three of the Books; to which he gave the name of Gideon, or the Patriot.--They were inscribed to the late lord Bolingbroke; to whom he accounts as follows, for the alterations he had made since the first publication of two Books. Erring, where thousands err'd, in youth's hot smart, Propulsive prejudice had warp'd his heart: Bold, and too loud he sigh'd, for high distress, Fond of the fall'n, nor form'd to serve success; |
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