Or quarter of a Span;
Then think you not this worthy Knight
Was prov’d a valiant Man.
This Beginning is agreeable to the best of the Greek and Latin Poets; Homer and Virgil give an Idea of the whole Poem in a few of the first Lines, and here our Author draws the Character of his Hero, and shews what you may expect from a Person so well qualify'd for the greatest Undertakings.
In the Description of him, which is very fine, he insinuates, that tho' perhaps his Person may appear despicable and little, yet you'll find him an Hero of the most consummate Bravery and Conduct, and is almost the same Account Statius gives of Tydeus.
————Totos infusa per artus,
Major in exiguo regnabat corpore virtus.
If any suppose the Notion of such an Hero improbable, they'll find the Character Virgil gives Camilla to be as far stretch'd:
Illa vel Intactæ segetis per summa volaret
Gramina, nec teneras cursu læsisset Aristas: