"The truth is, that necessity prompts invention, and genius is common to every age. The early poet, therefore, of superior powers, can operate on external nature, as well as on the polity and manners of his nation, with preeminent elegance and splendor. When the division of labor takes place, the modern poet, particularly in the comic walks of life, is capable of displaying a greater variety of character than the ancient. Hence Shakespeare and Congreve are infinitely superior to Plautus and Terence in rich variety of comic painting."