"It is certainly the noblest version of poetry which the world has ever seen; and its publication must therefore be considered as one of the great events in the annals of learning."

"Bentely] and Pope, soon after the publication of Homer, met at Dr. Mead's at dinner; when Pope, desirous of his opinion of the translation, addressed him thus: "Dr. Bentley, I ordered my bookseller to send you your books; I hope you received them." Bentley, who had purposely avoided saying any thing about Homer, pretended not to understand him, and asked, 'Books! books! what books?' 'My Homer,' replied Pope, 'which you did me the honour to subscribe for.'—'Oh,' said Bentley, 'ay, now I recollect—your translation:—it is a pretty poem, Mr. Pope; but you must not call it Homer.'"

"The rights, powers, and pretensions of the sovereign of Olympus, are very clearly described in the xvth book of the Iliad: in the Greek original, I mean; for Mr. Pope, without perceiving it, has improved the theology of Homer."

"I have as yet read only to the end of the eighth Iliad; but, as far as I can judge, this is one of the finest translations in the English language; and, what is very extraordinary, it appears to the best advantage when compared with the original. I have read both carefully so far, and written remarks as I went along, and I think I can prove that, where Pope has omitted one beauty, he has added or improved four."

"I mentioned the vulgar saying, that Pope's Homer was not a good representation of the original. JOHNSON. "Sir, it is the greatest work of the kind that has ever been produced.""

"[Pope's] translation of the Iliad will remain a lasting monument to his honour, as the most elegant and highly finished translation, that, perhaps, ever was given of any poetical work."

"The mildest manners with the bravest mind."

"Two urns by Jove's high throne have ever stood,— The source of evil one, and one of good."

"A green old age, unconscious of decays, That proves the hero born in better days."

"It is not strength, but art, obtains the prize, And to be swift is less than to be wise. 'Tis more by art than force of num'rous strokes."

"Base wealth preferring to eternal praise."

"'Tis true, 'tis certain; man though dead retains Part of himself: the immortal mind remains."

"Sinks my sad soul with sorrow to the grave."

"Grief tears his heart, and drives him to and fro In all the raging impotence of woe."

"Unwept, unhonour'd, uninterr'd he lies!"

"Forever honour'd, and forever mourn'd."

"Achilles absent was Achilles still."

"Then welcome fate! 'Tis true I perish, yet I perish great: Yet in a mighty deed I shall expire, Let future ages hear it, and admire!"

"Jove lifts the golden balances that show The fates of mortal men, and things below."

"No season now for calm familiar talk."

"This, this is misery! the last, the worst That man can feel."

"Who dies in youth and vigour, dies the best."

"The bitter dregs of fortune's cup to drain."

"A mass enormous! which in modern days No two of earth's degenerate sons could raise."

"Our business in the field of fight Is not to question, but to prove our might."

"'Tis fortune gives us birth, But Jove alone endues the soul with worth."

"The matchless Ganymed, divinely fair."

"Where'er he mov'd, the goddess shone before."

"Accept these grateful tears! for thee they flow,— For thee, that ever felt another's woe!"

"Ah, youth! forever dear, forever kind."

"I live an idle burden to the ground."

"Patroclus, lov'd of all my martial train, Beyond mankind, beyond myself, is slain!"

"In death a hero, as in life a friend!"

"The mildest manners, and the gentlest heart."

"Dispel this cloud, the light of Heaven restore; Give me to see, and Ajax asks no more."

"Sleep and Death, two twins of winged race, Of matchless swiftness, but of silent pace."

"Two friends, two bodies with one soul inspir'd."

"Like strength is felt from hope and from despair."

"On valour's side the odds of combat lie, The brave live glorious, or lamented die; The wretch who trembles in the field of fame, Meets death, and worse than death, eternal shame."

"And for our country 'tis a bliss to die."

"Heroes as great have died, and yet shall fall."

"Persuasive speech, and more persuasive sighs, Silence that spoke, and eloquence of eyes."

"To hide their ignominious heads in Troy."

"The best of things beyond their measure cloy."

"And seem to walk on wings, and tread in air."

"The life which others pay let us bestow, And give to fame what we to nature owe."

"Without a sign his sword the brave man draws, And asks no omen but his country's cause."

"So perish all who do the like again."

"Tell me, Muse, of the man of many wiles."