Ex Poemate de Voluptatibus Facultatis Imaginatricis 270 273 PREFACE. THE public are here presented with a more complete edition of the poems of the late Laureate, than has yet appeared. My first object in fubjoining notes, was to illuftrate his allufions, and to explain fome peculiarities in his language; and a field being thus opened to comment, I could not refift the temptation of remarking his imitations, whether accidental or intentional, of other poets, when fuch imitations occurred to me, and particularly of his favourite Milton, in whose footsteps I have been more ftudious to trace him. His early and unceafing love of Milton is the reafon of my having noticed refemblances, which might otherwise seem impertinently minute. A few of thefe remarks, fuggefted by an interleaved copy of Warton's Poems of the edition of 1777, which belonged to the late Mr. Headley, and was kindly put into my hands by Mr. Kett of Trinity College, will be acknowledged in their proper places. Some explanatory notes, which appeared in Warton's own editions, are retained, and marked with his initial. W. A few other fuggestions I have received from the Rev. John Warton and two or three other friends. The notes have certainly reached to a much greater extent than was at firft defigned or apprehended: but I hope they will be found neither altogether irrelevant, nor tediously numerous and prolix. For the power of republishing the Infcriptions, which are added to the Poems, I am partly indebted to Mr. Kett, who obligingly procured me the use of the only copy I had at that time seen. I have been informed that the late most amiable Mr. Benwell of Trinity College had once intended to republish this little work, with additions, and had got together fome materials for the purpose: but in his copy, which, by the kindnefs of the gentleman now poffeffed of it, I have examined, there is no intimation or appearance of such a design. The value of this publication is greatly increased by the addition of Mr. Warton's Inaugural Lecture as Camden Profeffor of Hiftory. my For the communication of this I am indebted to the friendship of Mr. John Warton, to whom readers will doubtlefs concur with me in acknowledging the obligation. The fame gentleman alfo favoured me with his uncle's tranf lation of two Odes of Horace, and his Epitaph on Mr. Head, neither of which pieces had before come to my knowledge: as Mrs. Jane Warton, the poet's fifter, did with the pleafing little piece, entitled Solitude. In compofing the Memoirs, I have endeavoured to compenfate my own want of perfonal acquaintance with Mr. Warton, by fuch enquiries as I could make with propriety, and with any prospect of fuccefs. To thofe persons, to whom I applied without fuccefs, I am nevertheless indebted for their polite reception of my application. One of these however let me not pass by without a tribute of respect and veneration to his memory. Mr. Langton no longer furvives to hear my acknowledgments; but I cannot refrain from adding, that though I failed in the immediate object of my application to him, I have felt both instructed and improved by his conversation. |