"Which to the _Greeks did_ endless Sorrows bring.

It is commonly apprehended from a Passage in Mr. _Pope_'s _Essay on
Criticism_, that all auxiliary Verbs are mere _Expletives_.

"While Expletives their feeble Aid _do_ join,
And ten low Words oft creep in one dull Line.

But this I believe Mr. _Pope_ never intended to advance. _Milton_ has
used them in many Places, where he could have avoided it if he had
pleased. I will produce one.

--"Him the most High
Wrapt in a balmy Cloud with fiery Steeds
_Did_, as thou saw'st, receive.--

_Milton_ might have said,

"Receiv'd, as thou hast seen.--

But he thought the auxiliary Verb added Strength to the Expression, as
indeed it does. I own where the auxiliary Verb is brought close to its
principal, and _that_ a thin monosyllable, as in the Line just now
referred to, the Verse is very rude and disagreeable. But to prove
that the auxiliary Verb may be employed properly, I will produce an
Instance in rhym'd Verse, as strong as that of _Milton_ just
mentioned.

"Then _did_ the roaring Waves their Rage compose,
When the great Father of the Flood arose.