In making the ships of Ammon first pass the straits of Babelmandel, and sail to Ophir, I have the authority of Sir Isaac Newton.

But still these points must, from their nature, be obscure; the poet, however, has a right to build upon them, whilst what he advances is not in _direct contradiction_ to all historical admitted facts.

He may take what is _shadowy_, if it be _plausible_, poetical, and coherent with his general plan.

Having said ingenuously thus much, I hope I shall not be severely accused for having admitted, _en passant_, some ideas (which may be thought visionary) in the notes, respecting the allusion to the ark in Theocritus, the situation of Ophir, the temple of Solomon, and the algum-tree.
I must also submit to the candour of the critic, the necessity I sometimes felt myself under of varying the verse, and admitting, when the subject seemed particularly to require it, a break into the measure.
He will consider, as this poem is neither didactic, nor epic, that might lead on the mind by diversity of characters, and of prospects; it was therefore necessary (at least I thought myself at liberty so to do) to break the uniformity of the subject by digression, contrast, occasional change of verse, _et cet._ But after all, at a time so unfavourable to long poems, I doubt whether the reader will have patience to accompany me to the end of my _circumnavigation_.

If he do, and if this much larger poetical work than I have ever attempted should be as favourably received as what I have before published has been, I shall sincerely rejoice.
At all events, in an age which I think has produced genuine poetry, if I cannot say "_Ed Io, anchi, sono pittore;_" it will be a consolation to me to reflect, that I have no otherwise courted the muse, than as the consoler of sorrow, the painter of scenes romantic and interesting, the handmaid of good sense, unadulterated feelings, and religious hope.
It was at first intended that the poem should consist of six books; one book being assigned to De Gama, and another to Columbus.