On the Sublime by 1st cent. Longinus
page 34 of 126 (26%)
page 34 of 126 (26%)
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observed, âWere I Alexander, I should have been satisfiedâ; âAnd I, were
I Parmenioâ... The distance between heaven and earth[1]--a measure, one might say, not less appropriate to Homerâs genius than to the stature of his discord. [Footnote 1: _Il._ iv. 442.] 5 How different is that touch of Hesiodâs in his description of sorrow--if the _Shield_ is really one of his works: ârheum from her nostrils flowedâ[2]--an image not terrible, but disgusting. Now consider how Homer gives dignity to his divine persons-- âAs far as lies his airy ken, who sits On some tall crag, and scans the wine-dark sea: So far extends the heavenly coursersâ stride.â[3] He measures their speed by the extent of the whole world--a grand comparison, which might reasonably lead us to remark that if the divine steeds were to take two such leaps in succession, they would find no room in the world for another. [Footnote 2: _Scut. Herc._ 267.] [Footnote 3: _Il._ v. 770.] 6 Sublime also are the images in the âBattle of the Godsâ-- |
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