The following lines are from Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Criticism." In it, Pope (1688-1744) gives his opinions on the secret of good writing, opinions that were very consistent with his times. Answer questions 1-11 below based upon these lines.
Those RULES of old discover'd, not devis'd,
Are Nature still, but Nature Methodiz'd;
Nature, like Liberty, is but restrain'd
By the same Laws which first herself ordain'd.
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You then whose Judgment the right Course wou'd steer, [5]
Know well each ANCIENT's proper Character,
His Fable, Subject, Scope in ev'ry Page,
Religion, Country, Genius of his Age:
Without all these at once before your Eyes,
Cavil you may, but never Criticize. [10]
Be Homer's Works your Study, and Delight,
Read them by Day, and meditate by Night,
Thence form your Judgment, thence your Maxims bring,
And trace the Muses upward to their Spring;
Still with It self compar'd, his Text peruse; [15]
And let your Comment be the Mantuan* Muse.
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True Wit is Nature to Advantage drest,
What oft was Thought, but ne'er so well Exprest,
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True Ease in Writing comes from Art, not Chance,
As those move easiest who have learn'd to dance, [20]
*Mantuan: Mantua was the home of Vergil, the author of the Aeneid.