the First's accession.

25 It is disputed amongst the critics who was the author of the book of
Job; some give it to Moses, some to others. As I was engaged in this
little performance, some arguments occurred to me which favour the
former of those opinions; which arguments I have flung into the
following notes, where little else is to be expected.

26 The Almighty's speech, chapter xxxviii. &c. which is what I
paraphrase in this little work, is by much the finest part of the
noblest and most ancient poem in the world. Bishop Patrick says, its
grandeur is as much above all other poetry, as thunder is louder
than a whisper. In order to set this distinguished part of the poem
in a fuller light, and give the reader a clearer conception of it, I
have abridged the preceding and subsequent parts of the poem, and
joined them to it; so that this piece is a sort of an epitome of the
whole book of Job.

I use the word paraphrase, because I want another which might better
answer to the uncommon liberties I have taken. I have omitted,
added, and transposed. The mountain, the comet, the sun, and other
parts, are entirely added: those upon the peacock, the lion, &c. are
much enlarged; and I have thrown the whole into a method more suited
to our notions of regularity. The judicious, if they compare this
piece with the original, will, I flatter myself, find the reasons
for the great liberties I have indulged myself in through the whole.

Longinus has a chapter on interrogations, which shows that they
contribute much to the sublime. This speech of the Almighty is made
up of them. Interrogation seems indeed the proper style of majesty
incensed. It differs from other manner of reproof, as bidding a
person execute himself does from a common execution; for he that
asks the guilty a proper question, makes him, in effect, pass
sentence on himself.

27 The book of Job is well known to be dramatic, and, like the
tragedies of old Greece, is fiction built on truth. Probably this
most noble part of it, the Almighty speaking out of the whirlwind,
(so suitable to the after-practice of the Greek stage, when there
happened _dignus vindice nodus_,) is fictitious; but is a fiction
more agreeable to the time in which Job lived, than to any since.
F