 that Species of Writing which is
called the Marvellous. To this we shall, as well for the Sake of ourselves, as
of others, endeavour to set some certain Bounds; and indeed nothing can be more
necessary, as Criticks8 of different Complexions are here apt to run into very
different Extremes; for while some are, with M. Dacier, ready to allow, that the
same Thing which is impossible may be yet probable,9 others have so little
Historic or Poetic Faith, that they believe nothing to be either possible or
probable, the like to which hath not occurred to their own Observation.
    First then, I think, it may very reasonably be required of every Writer,
that he keeps within the Bounds of Possibility; and still remembers that what it
is not possible for Man to perform, it is scarce possible for Man to believe he
did perform. This Conviction, perhaps, gave Birth to many Stories of the antient
Heathen Deities (for most of them are of poetical Original). The Poet, being
desirous to indulge a wanton and extravagant Imagination, took Refuge in that
Power, of the Extent of which his Readers were no Judges, or rather which they
imagined to be infinite, and consequently they could not be shocked at any
Prodigies related of it. This hath been strongly urged in Defence of Homer's
Miracles; and it is, perhaps, a Defence; not, as Mr. Pope would have it, because
Ulysses told a Set of foolish Lies to the Phæacians, who were a very dull
Nation; but because the Poet himself wrote to Heathens, to whom poetical Fables
were Articles of Faith. For my own Part, I must confess, so compassionate is my
Temper, I wish Polypheme had confined himself to his Milk Diet, and preserved
his Eye; nor could Ulysses be much more concerned than myself, when his
Companions were turned into Swine by Circe, who shewed, I think, afterwards, too
much Regard for Man's Flesh to be supposed capable of converting it into Bacon.
I wish, likewise, with all my Heart, that Homer could have known the Rule
prescribed by Horace, to introduce supernatural Agents as seldom as possible. We
should not then have seen his Gods coming on trivial Errands, and often behaving
themselves so as not only to forfeit all Title to Respect, but to become the
Objects of Scorn and Derision. A Conduct which must have shocked the Credulity
of a pious and sagacious Heathen; and which could never have been defended,
unless by agreeing with a Supposition to which I have been sometimes almost
inclined, that this
