130 M. de Polier on the Pleafures of the Mind 
But the fame freedom cannot be taken with 
the unity of adion. The pleafure, which the 
mind, as we obferved above, receives from a 
chain of fads conneded together, and tending 
to one common end, renders this unity effential, 
alike in epic and dramatic compofitions. Every 
thing, however beautiful in itfelf, that breaks 
this chain, or interrupts this relation, looks like 
an excrefcence, and becomes unpleafant. An epic 
poem, with two principal adions, like a play, 
with two main plots, would foon confufe and 
tire the reader and the fpedator; and fo far do 
the rules of Arifiotle agree with nature. An 
epifode and an under-plot may be allowed for the 
lake of variety; but they muft be conneded with 
the principal adion, or elfe they become great 
blemilhes. Milton , in this refped, as indeed in 
many others, has the advantage over Homer and 
Virgil. His epifode, of the battle of angels, and 
the creation of the world, is more intimately con¬ 
neded with his fubjed, than the defcription of 
Achilles' fhield, or even the defcent of /Eneas into 
hell. Far from breaking the unity of adion, 
it rather ftrengthens it, by making us acquainted 
with thecaufe of what we have read, and of what 
is to follow. It is, therefore, produdive of great 
mental enjoyment, as there is no relation that 
pleafes the mind more, than that of caufe and 
effed. 
This 
