So that
upon the whole matter Persius may be acknowledged to be equal with
him in those respects, though better born, and Juvenal inferior to
both. If the advantage be anywhere, it is on the side of Horace, as
much as the court of Augustus Caesar was superior to that of Nero.
As for the subjects which they treated, it will appear hereafter
that Horace wrote not vulgarly on vulgar subjects, nor always chose
them. His style is constantly accommodated to his subject, either
high or low. If his fault be too much lowness, that of Persius is
the fault of the hardness of his metaphors and obscurity; and so
they are equal in the failings of their style, where Juvenal
manifestly triumphs over both of them.
The comparison betwixt Horace and Juvenal is more difficult, because
their forces were more equal. A dispute has always been, and ever
will continue, betwixt the favourers of the two poets. Non nostrum
est tantas componere lites. I shall only venture to give my own
opinion, and leave it for better judges to determine.
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