"We are apt to form romantic and exaggerated notions about the moral innocence of our ancestors. Ages of ignorance and simplicity are thought to be ages of purity. The direct contrary, I believe, is the case...In the middle ages, not only the most flagrant violations of modesty were frequently practised and permitted, but the most infamous vices. Men are less ashamed as they are less polished."
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Historians from EnglandLiterary criticsPoets from EnglandUniversity of Oxford facultyUniversity of Oxford alumni
Original Language: English
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The History of English Poetry (1774-81) vol. 1, p. 431.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Warton
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Thomas Warton
Thomas Warton (January 9, 1728 – May 21, 1790) was the British Poet Laureate from 1785 until his death. The three published volumes of his uncompleted History of English Poetry pioneered the study of medieval English literature.
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