Boileau
has endeavoured to inculcate the same Notions in several Parts of his Writings, both in Prose and Verse
. This is that natural Way of Writing, that beautiful Simplicity, which we so much admire in the Compositions of the Ancients; and which no Body deviates from, but those who want Strength of Genius to make a Thought shine in its own natural Beauties. Poets who want this Strength of Genius to give that Majestick Simplicity to Nature, which we so much admire in the Works of the Ancients, are forced to hunt after foreign Ornaments, and not to let any Piece of Wit of what kind soever escape them. I look upon these writers as
Goths
in Poetry, who, like those in Architecture, not being able to come up to the beautiful Simplicity of the old
Greeks and Romans
, have endeavoured to supply its place with all the Extravagancies of an irregular Fancy.
.