Thephilosopher,therefore,andthehistorianaretheywhichwouldwinthegoal,theonebyprecept,theotherbyexample;butboth,nothavingboth,dobothhalt.Forthephilosopher,settingdownwiththornyargumentsthebarerule,issohardofutterance,andsomistytobeconceived,thatonethathathnootherguidebuthimshallwadeinhimuntilhebeold,beforeheshallfindsufficientcausetobehonest.Forhisknowledgestandethsoupontheabstractandgeneral,thathappyisthatmanwhomayunderstandhim,andmorehappythatcanapplywhathedothunderstand.Ontheothersidethehistorian,wantingtheprecept,issotied,nottowhatshouldbe,buttowhatis;totheparticulartruthofthings,andnottothegeneralreasonofthings;thathisexampledrawethnonecessaryconsequence,andthereforealessfruitfuldoctrine.
Now{32}doththepeerlesspoetperformboth;forwhatsoeverthephilosophersaithshouldbedone,hegivethaperfectpictureofit,bysomeonebywhomhepre-supposethitwasdone,soashecoupleththegeneralnotionwiththeparticularexample.Aperfectpicture,Isay;forheyieldethtothepowersofthemindanimageofthatwhereofthephilosopherbestowethbutawordishdescription,whichdothneitherstrike,pierce,norpossessthesightofthesoul,somuchasthatotherdoth.Foras,inoutwardthings,toamanthathadneverseenanelephant,orarhinoceros,whoshouldtellhimmostexquisitelyalltheirshape,colour,bigness,andparticularmarks?orofagorgeouspalace,anarchitect,who,declaringthefullbeauties,mightwellmakethehearerabletorepeat,asitwere,byrote,allhehadheard,yetshouldneversatisfyhisinwardconceit,withbeingwitnesstoitselfofatruelivingknowledge;
butthesameman,assoonashemightseethosebeastswellpainted,orthathousewellinmodel,shouldstraightwaygrow,withoutneedofanydescription,toajudicialcomprehendingofthem;so,nodoubt,thephilosopher,withhislearneddefinitions,beitofvirtueorvices,mattersofpublicpolicyorprivategovernment,replenisheththememorywithmanyinfalliblegroundsofwisdom,which,notwithstanding,liedarkbeforetheimaginativeandjudgingpower,iftheybenotilluminatedorfiguredforthbythespeakingpictureofpoesy.
Tullytakethmuchpains,andmanytimesnotwithoutpoeticalhelp,tomakeusknowtheforceloveofourcountryhathinus.LetusbuthearoldAnchises,speakinginthemidstofTroy\'sflames,orseeUlysses,inthefulnessofallCalypso\'sdelights,bewailhisabsencefrombarrenandbeggarlyIthaca.Anger,theStoicssaid,wasashortmadness;letbutSophoclesbringyouAjaxonastage,killingorwhippingsheepandoxen,thinkingthemthearmyofGreeks,withtheirchieftainsAgamemnonandMenelaus;andtellme,ifyouhavenotamorefamiliarinsightintoanger,thanfindingintheschoolmenhisgenusanddifference?SeewhetherwisdomandtemperanceinUlyssesandDiomedes,valourinAchilles,friendshipinNisusandEuryalus,eventoanignorantman,carrynotanapparentshining;and,contrarily,theremorseofconscienceinOEdipus;thesoon-repentingprideinAgamemnon;theself-devouringcrueltyinhisfatherAtreus;theviolenceofambitioninthetwoThebanbrothers;thesoursweetnessofrevengeinMedea;and,tofalllower,theTerentianGnatho,andourChaucer\'sPandar,soexpressed,thatwenowusetheirnamestosignifytheirtrades;andfinally,allvirtues,vices,andpassionssointheirownnaturalstateslaidtotheview,thatweseemnottohearofthem,butclearlytoseethroughthem?
Buteveninthemostexcellentdeterminationofgoodness,whatphilosopher\'scounselcansoreadilydirectaprinceasthefeignedCyrusinXenophon?Oravirtuousmaninallfortunes,asAEneasinVirgil?Orawholecommonwealth,asthewayofSirThomasMore\'sUtopia?Isaytheway,becausewhereSirThomasMoreerred,itwasthefaultoftheman,andnotofthepoet;forthatwayofpatterningacommonwealthwasmostabsolute,thoughhe,perchance,hathnotsoabsolutelyperformedit.Forthequestionis,whetherthefeignedimageofpoetry,ortheregularinstructionofphilosophy,haththemoreforceinteaching.Wherein,ifthephilosophershavemorerightlyshowedthemselvesphilosophers,thanthepoetshaveattainedtothehightopoftheirprofession,(asintruth,\"MediocribusessepoetisNonDi,nonhomines,nonconcesserecolumnae,\"{33})
itis,Isayagain,notthefaultoftheart,butthatbyfewmenthatartcanbeaccomplished.Certainly,evenourSaviourChristcouldaswellhavegiventhemoralcommon-places{34}ofuncharitablenessandhumbleness,asthedivinenarrationofDivesandLazarus;orofdisobedienceandmercy,astheheavenlydiscourseofthelostchildandthegraciousfather;butthathisthoroughsearchingwisdomknewtheestateofDivesburninginhell,andofLazarusinAbraham\'sbosom,wouldmoreconstantly,asitwere,inhabitboththememoryandjudgment.Truly,formyself(meseems),Iseebeforemineeyesthelostchild\'sdisdainfulprodigalityturnedtoenvyaswine\'sdinner;which,bythelearneddivines,arethoughtnothistoricalacts,butinstructingparables.
Forconclusion,Isaythephilosopherteacheth,butheteachethobscurely,soasthelearnedonlycanunderstandhim;thatistosay,heteacheththemthatarealreadytaught.Butthepoetisthefoodforthetendereststomachs;thepoetis,indeed,therightpopularphilosopher.WhereofAEsop\'stalesgivegoodproof;whoseprettyallegories,stealingundertheformaltalesofbeasts,makemany,morebeastlythanbeasts,begintohearthesoundofvirtuefromthosedumbspeakers.
Butnowmayitbealleged,thatifthismanagingofmattersbesofitfortheimagination,thenmustthehistorianneedssurpass,whobringsyouimagesoftruematters,suchas,indeed,weredone,andnotsuchasfantasticallyorfalselymaybesuggestedtohavebeendone.Truly,Aristotlehimself,inhisDiscourseofPoesy,plainlydetermineththisquestion,saying,thatpoetryis[Greektext],thatistosay,itismorephilosophicalandmoreingeniousthanhistory.
Hisreasonis,becausepoesydealethwith[Greektext],thatistosay,withtheuniversalconsideration,andthehistory[Greektext],theparticular.\"Now,\"saithhe,\"theuniversalweighswhatisfittobesaidordone,eitherinlikelihoodornecessity;whichthepoesyconsiderethinhisimposednames;andtheparticularonlymarks,whetherAlcibiadesdid,orsuffered,thisorthat:\"thusfarAristotle.{35}Whichreasonofhis,asallhis,ismostfullofreason.For,indeed,ifthequestionwere,whetheritwerebettertohaveaparticularacttrulyorfalselysetdown?thereisnodoubtwhichistobechosen,nomorethanwhetheryouhadratherhaveVespasian\'spicturerightashewas,or,atthepainter\'spleasure,nothingresembling?Butifthequestionbe,foryourownuseandlearning,whetheritbebettertohaveitsetdownasitshouldbe,orasitwas?then,certainly,ismoredoctrinablethefeignedCyrusinXenophon,thanthetrueCyrusinJustin;{36}andthefeignedAEneasinVirgil,thantherightAEneasinDaresPhrygius;{37}astoaladythatdesiredtofashionhercountenancetothebestgrace,apaintershouldmorebenefither,toportraitamostsweetface,writingCanidiauponit,thantopaintCanidiaasshewas,who,Horacesweareth,wasfullill-favoured.Ifthepoetdohispartaright,hewillshowyouinTantalus,Atreus,andsuchlike,nothingthatisnottobeshunned;inCyrus,AEneas,Ulysses,eachthingtobefollowed;wherethehistorian,boundtotellthingsasthingswere,cannotbeliberal,withouthewillbepoetical,ofaperfectpattern;but,asinAlexander,orScipiohimself,showdoings,sometobeliked,sometobemisliked;andthenhowwillyoudiscernwhattofollow,butbyyourowndiscretion,whichyouhad,withoutreadingQ.Curtius?{38}Andwhereas,amanmaysay,thoughinuniversalconsiderationofdoctrine,thepoetprevaileth,yetthatthehistory,inhissayingsuchathingwasdone,dothwarrantamanmoreinthatheshallfollow;theanswerismanifest:thatifhestanduponthatWAS,asifheshouldargue,becauseitrainedyesterdaythereforeitshouldrainto-day;then,indeed,hathitsomeadvantagetoagrossconceit.Butifheknowanexampleonlyenformsaconjecturedlikelihood,andsogobyreason,thepoetdothsofarexceedhim,asheistoframehisexampletothatwhichismostreasonable,beitinwarlike,politic,orprivatematters;
wherethehistorianinhisbareWAShathmanytimesthatwhichwecallfortunetooverrulethebestwisdom.Manytimeshemusttelleventswhereofhecanyieldnocause;orifhedo,itmustbepoetically.
For,thatafeignedexamplebathasmuchforcetoteachasatrueexample(forasfortomove,itisclear,sincethefeignedmaybetunedtothehighestkeyofpassion),letustakeoneexamplewhereinanhistorianandapoetdidconcur.HerodotusandJustindobothtestify,thatZopyrus,KingDarius\'sfaithfulservant,seeinghismasterlongresistedbytherebelliousBabylonians,feignedhimselfinextremedisgraceofhisKing;forverifyingofwhichhecausedhisownnoseandearstobecutoff,andsoflyingtotheBabylonians,wasreceived;and,forhisknownvalour,sofarcredited,thathedidfindmeanstodeliverthemovertoDarius.
Much-likemattersdothLivyrecordofTarquiniusandhisson.
Xenophonexcellentlyfeignedsuchanotherstratagem,performedbyAbradatusinCyrus\'sbehalf.NowwouldIfainknow,ifoccasionbepresenteduntoyoutoserveyourprincebysuchanhonestdissimulation,whydoyounotaswelllearnitofXenophon\'sfictionasoftheother\'sverity?and,truly,somuchthebetter,asyoushallsaveyournosebythebargain;forAbradatusdidnotcounterfeitsofar.So,then,thebestofthehistoriansissubjecttothepoet;for,whatsoeveractionorfaction,whatsoevercounsel,policy,orwarstratagemthehistorianisboundtorecite,thatmaythepoet,ifhelist,withhisimitation,makehisown,beautifyingitbothforfartherteaching,andmoredelighting,asitpleasehim:
havingall,fromDante\'sheaventohishell,undertheauthorityofhispen.WhichifIbeasked,Whatpoetshavedoneso?asImightwellnamesome,soyet,sayI,andsayagain,Ispeakoftheart,andnotoftheartificer.
Now,tothatwhichcommonlyisattributedtothepraiseofhistory,inrespectofthenotablelearningwhichisgotbymarkingthesuccess,asthoughthereinamanshouldseevirtueexalted,andvicepunished:truly,thatcommendationispeculiartopoetry,andfarofffromhistory;for,indeed,poetryeversetsvirtuesooutinherbestcolours,makingfortuneherwell-waitinghandmaid,thatonemustneedsbeenamouredofher.WellmayyouseeUlyssesinastorm,andinotherhardplights;buttheyarebutexercisesofpatienceandmagnanimity,tomakethemshinethemoreinthenearfollowingprosperity.And,onthecontrarypart,ifevilmencometothestage,theyevergoout(asthetragedywriteransweredtoonethatmislikedtheshowofsuchpersons)somanacled,astheylittleanimatefolkstofollowthem.Buthistorybeingcaptivetothetruthofafoolishworld,inmanytimesaterrorfromwell-
doing,andanencouragementtounbridledwickedness.ForseewenotvaliantMiltiadesrotinhisfetters?thejustPhocionandtheaccomplishedSocratesputtodeathliketraitors?thecruelSeverusliveprosperously?theexcellentSeverusmiserablymurdered?SyllaandMariusdyingintheirbeds?PompeyandCiceroslainthenwhentheywouldhavethoughtexileahappiness?SeewenotvirtuousCatodriventokillhimself,andrebelCaesarsoadvanced,thathisnameyet,aftersixteenhundredyears,lastethinthehighesthonour?
AndmarkbutevenCaesar\'sownwordsoftheforenamedSylla,(whointhatonlydidhonestly,toputdownhisdishonesttyranny),\"literasnescivit:\"asifwantoflearningcausedhimtodowell.Hemeantitnotbypoetry,which,notcontentwithearthlyplagues,devisethnewpunishmentinhellfortyrants:noryetbyphilosophy,whichteacheth\"occidentesesse:\"but,nodoubt,byskillinhistory;forthat,indeed,canaffordyouCypselus,Periander,Phalaris,Dionysius,andIknownothowmanymoreofthesamekennel,thatspeedwellenoughintheirabominableinjusticeofusurpation.
Iconclude,therefore,thatheexcellethhistory,notonlyinfurnishingthemindwithknowledge,butinsettingitforwardtothatwhichdeservestobecalledandaccountedgood:whichsettingforward,andmovingtowell-doing,indeed,setteththelaurelcrownsuponthepoetsasvictorious;notonlyofthehistorian,butoverthephilosopher,howsoever,inteaching,itmaybequestionable.
Forsupposeitbegranted,thatwhichIsuppose,withgreatreason,maybedenied,thatthephilosopher,inrespectofhismethodicalproceeding,teachmoreperfectlythanthepoet,yetdoIthink,thatnomanissomuch[Greektext],astocomparethephilosopherinmovingwiththepoet.Andthatmovingisofahigherdegreethanteaching,itmaybythisappear,thatitiswellnighboththecauseandeffectofteaching;forwhowillbetaught,ifhebenotmovedwithdesiretobetaught?Andwhatsomuchgooddoththatteachingbringforth(Ispeakstillofmoraldoctrine)asthatitmovethonetodothatwhichitdothteach.For,asAristotlesaith,itisnot[Greektext]but[Greektext]{39}mustbethefruit:andhow[Greektext]canbe,withoutbeingmovedtopractise,itisnohardmattertoconsider.Thephilosophershowethyoutheway,heinformethyouoftheparticularities,aswellofthetediousnessofthewayandofthepleasantlodgingyoushallhavewhenyourjourneyisended,asofthemanyby-turningsthatmaydivertyoufromyourway;butthisistonoman,buttohimthatwillreadhim,andreadhimwithattentive,studiouspainfulness;whichconstantdesirewhosoeverhathinhim,hathalreadypassedhalfthehardnessoftheway,andthereforeisbeholdentothephilosopherbutfortheotherhalf.Nay,truly,learnedmenhavelearnedlythought,thatwhereoncereasonhathsomuchover-masteredpassion,asthatthemindhathafreedesiretodowell,theinwardlighteachmindhathinitselfisasgoodasaphilosopher\'sbook:sinceinnatureweknowitiswelltodowell,andwhatiswellandwhatisevil,althoughnotinthewordsofartwhichphilosophersbestowuponus;foroutofnaturalconceitthephilosophersdrewit;buttobemovedtodothatwhichweknow,ortobemovedwithdesiretoknow,\"hocopus,hiclaborest.\"
Now,{40}therein,ofallsciences(Ispeakstillofhumanandaccordingtothehumanconceit),isourpoetthemonarch.Forhedothnotonlyshowtheway,butgivethsosweetaprospectintotheway,aswillenticeanymantoenterintoit;nay,hedoth,asifyourjourneyshouldliethroughafairvineyard,attheveryfirstgiveyouaclusterofgrapes,thatfullofthattasteyoumaylongtopassfarther.Hebeginnethnotwithobscuredefinitions,whichmustblurthemarginwithinterpretations,andloadthememorywithdoubtfulness,buthecomethtoyouwithwordssetindelightfulproportion,eitheraccompaniedwith,orpreparedfor,thewell-
enchantingskillofmusic;andwithatale,forsooth,hecomethuntoyouwithatalewhichholdethchildrenfromplay,andoldmenfromthechimney-corner;{41}and,pretendingnomore,dothintendthewinningofthemindfromwickednesstovirtue;evenasthechildisoftenbroughttotakemostwholesomethings,byhidingtheminsuchotherashaveapleasanttaste;which,ifoneshouldbegintotellthemthenatureofthealoesorrhubarbarumtheyshouldreceive,wouldsoonertaketheirphysicattheirearsthanattheirmouth;soitisinmen(mostofthemarechildishinthebestthings,tilltheybecradledintheirgraves);gladtheywillbetohearthetalesofHercules,Achilles,Cyrus,AEneas;andhearingthem,mustneedsheartherightdescriptionofwisdom,valour,andjustice;
which,iftheyhadbeenbarely(thatistosay,philosophically)setout,theywouldsweartheybebroughttoschoolagain.Thatimitationwhereofpoetryis,haththemostconveniencytonatureofallother;insomuchthat,asAristotlesaith,thosethingswhichinthemselvesarehorrible,ascruelbattles,unnaturalmonsters,aremade,inpoeticalimitation,delightful.Truly,Ihaveknownmen,thatevenwithreadingAmadisdeGaule,which,Godknoweth,wantethmuchofaperfectpoesy,havefoundtheirheartsmovedtotheexerciseofcourtesy,liberality,andespeciallycourage.WhoreadethAEneascarryingoldAnchisesonhisback,thatwishethnotitwerehisfortunetoperformsoexcellentanact?WhomdothnotthosewordsofTurnusmove(thetaleofTurnushavingplantedhisimageintheimagination)
\"——fugientemhaecterravidebit?
Usqueadeonemorimiserumest?\"{42}
Wherethephilosophers(astheythink)scorntodelight,somuchtheybecontentlittletomove,savingwranglingwhether\"virtus\"bethechiefortheonlygood;whetherthecontemplativeortheactivelifedoexcel;whichPlatoandBoetiuswellknew;andthereforemademistressPhilosophyveryoftenborrowthemaskingraimentofpoesy.
Foreventhosehard-heartedevilmen,whothinkvirtueaschool-
name,andknownoothergoodbut\"indulgeregenio,\"andthereforedespisetheaustereadmonitionsofthephilosopher,andfeelnottheinwardreasontheystandupon;yetwillbecontenttobedelighted,whichisallthegood-fellowpoetseemstopromise;andsostealtoseetheformofgoodness,whichseen,theycannotbutlove,erethemselvesbeaware,asiftheytookamedicineofcherries.
Infinite{43}proofsofthestrangeeffectsofthispoeticalinventionmightbealleged;onlytwoshallserve,whicharesooftenremembered,as,Ithink,allmenknowthem.TheoneofMeneniusAgrippa,who,whenthewholepeopleofRomehadresolutelydividedthemselvesfromthesenate,withapparentshowofutterruin,thoughhewere,forthattime,anexcellentorator,camenotamongthemupontrust,eitheroffigurativespeeches,orcunninginsinuations,andmuchlesswithfar-fetchedmaximsofphilosophy,which,especiallyiftheywerePlatonic,theymusthavelearnedgeometrybeforetheycouldhaveconceived;but,forsooth,hebehavethhimselflikeahomelyandfamiliarpoet.Hetelleththematale,thattherewasatimewhenallthepartsofthebodymadeamutinousconspiracyagainstthebelly,whichtheythoughtdevouredthefruitsofeachother\'slabour;theyconcludedtheywouldletsounprofitableaspenderstarve.Intheend,tobeshort(forthetaleisnotorious,andasnotoriousthatitwasatale),withpunishingthebellytheyplaguedthemselves.This,appliedbyhim,wroughtsucheffectinthepeopleasIneverreadthatonlywordsbroughtforth;butthensosudden,andsogoodanalteration,foruponreasonableconditionsaperfectreconcilementensued.
TheotherisofNathantheprophet,who,whentheholyDavidhadsofarforsakenGod,astoconfirmadulterywithmurder,whenhewastodothetenderestofficeofafriend,inlayinghisownshamebeforehiseyes,beingsentbyGodtocallagainsochosenaservant,howdothheit?butbytellingofamanwhosebelovedlambwasungratefullytakenfromhisbosom.Theapplicationmostdivinelytrue,butthediscourseitselffeigned;whichmadeDavid(Ispeakofthesecondandinstrumentalcause)asinaglassseehisownfilthiness,asthatheavenlypsalmofmercywelltestifieth.
Bythese,therefore,examplesandreasons,Ithinkitmaybemanifestthatthepoet,withthatsamehandofdelight,dothdrawthemindmoreeffectuallythananyotherartdoth.Andsoaconclusionnotunfitlyensues;thatasvirtueisthemostexcellentresting-placeforallworldlylearningtomakehisendof,sopoetry,beingthemostfamiliartoteachit,andmostprincelytomovetowardsit,inthemostexcellentworkisthemostexcellentworkman.
ButIamcontentnotonlytodecipherhimbyhisworks(althoughworksincommendationanddispraisemusteverholdahighauthority),butmorenarrowlywillexaminehisparts;sothat(asinaman)thoughalltogethermaycarryapresencefullofmajestyandbeautyperchanceinsomeonedefectious{44}piecewemayfindblemish.
Now,{45}inhisparts,kinds,orspecies,asyoulisttotermthem,itistobenotedthatsomepoesieshavecoupledtogethertwoorthreekinds;asthetragicalandcomical,whereuponisrisenthetragi-comical;some,inthemanner,havemingledproseandverse,asSannazaroandBoetius;somehavemingledmattersheroicalandpastoral;butthatcomethalltooneinthisquestion;for,ifseveredtheybegood,theconjunctioncannotbehurtful.Therefore,perchance,forgettingsome,andleavingsomeasneedlesstoberemembered,itshallnotbeamiss,inaword,tocitethespecialkinds,toseewhatfaultsmaybefoundintherightuseofthem.
Isit,then,thepastoralpoemwhichismisliked?{46}For,perchance,wherethehedgeislowest,theywillsoonestleapover.
Isthepoorpipedisdained,whichsometimes,outofMelibaeus\'smouth,canshowthemiseryofpeopleunderhardlordsandraveningsoldiers?Andagain,byTityrus,whatblessednessisderivedtothemthatlielowestfromthegoodnessofthemthatsithighest?
Sometimesundertheprettytalesofwolvesandsheep,canincludethewholeconsiderationsofwrongdoingandpatience;sometimesshow,thatcontentionsfortriflescangetbutatriflingvictory;
where,perchance,amanmayseethatevenAlexanderandDarius,whentheystrovewhoshouldbecockofthisworld\'sdunghill,thebenefittheygotwas,thattheafter-liversmaysay,\"Haecmemini,etvictumfrustracontendereThyrsim.
ExilloCorydon,Corydonesttemporenobis.\"{47}
Orisitthelamentingelegiac,{48}which,inakindheart,wouldmoveratherpitythanblame;whobewaileth,withthegreatphilosopherHeraclitus,theweaknessofmankind,andthewretchednessoftheworld;who,surely,istobepraised,eitherforcompassionatelyaccompanyingjustcausesoflamentations,orforrightlypointingouthowweakbethepassionsofwofulness?
Isitthebitter,butwholesomeiambic,{49}whorubsthegalledmind,makingshamethetrumpetofvillany,withboldandopencryingoutagainstnaughtiness?
Orthesatiric?who,\"Omnevafervitiumridentitangitamico;\"{50}
whosportinglyneverleaveth,untilhemakeamanlaughatfolly,and,atlength,ashamedtolaughathimself,whichhecannotavoidwithoutavoidingthefolly;who,while\"circumpraecordialudit,\"
givethustofeelhowmanyheadachesapassionatelifebringethusto;whowhenallisdone,\"EstUlubris,animussinosnondeficitaequus.\"{51}
No,perchance,itisthecomic;{52}whomnaughtyplay-makersandstage-keepershavejustlymadeodious.TotheargumentsofabuseI
willafteranswer;onlythusmuchnowistobesaid,thatthecomedyisanimitationofthecommonerrorsofourlife,whichherepresentethinthemostridiculousandscornfulsortthatmaybe;
soasitisimpossiblethatanybeholdercanbecontenttobesuchaone.Now,asingeometry,theobliquemustbeknownaswellastheright,andinarithmetic,theoddaswellastheeven;sointheactionsofourlife,whoseethnotthefilthinessofevil,wantethagreatfoiltoperceivethebeautyofvirtue.Thisdoththecomedyhandleso,inourprivateanddomesticalmatters,as,withhearingit,weget,asitwere,anexperienceofwhatistobelookedfor,ofaniggardlyDemea,ofacraftyDavus,ofaflatteringGnatho,ofavain-gloriousThraso;andnotonlytoknowwhateffectsaretobeexpected,buttoknowwhobesuch,bythesignifyingbadgegiventhembythecomedian.Andlittlereasonhathanymantosay,thatmenlearntheevilbyseeingitsosetout;since,asIsaidbefore,thereisnomanliving,butbytheforcetruthhathinnature,nosoonerseeththesemenplaytheirparts,butwisheththemin\"pistrinum;\"{53}although,perchance,thesackofhisownfaultsliesobehindhisback,thatheseethnothimselftodanceinthesamemeasure,wheretoyetnothingcanmoreopenhiseyesthantoseehisownactionscontemptiblysetforth;sothattherightuseofcomedywill,Ithink,bynobodybeblamed.
Andmuchlessofthehighandexcellenttragedy,{54}thatopeneththegreatestwounds,andshowethforththeulcersthatarecoveredwithtissue;thatmakethkingsfeartobetyrants,andtyrantstomanifesttheirtyrannicalhumours;thatwithstirringtheeffectsofadmirationandcommiseration,teacheththeuncertaintyofthisworld,anduponhowweakfoundationsgildedroofsarebuilded;thatmakethusknow,\"quisceptrasaevosduroimperioregit,timettimentes,metusinauthoremredit.\"Buthowmuchitcanmove,PlutarchyieldedanotabletestimonyoftheabominabletyrantAlexanderPheraeus;fromwhoseeyesatragedy,wellmadeandrepresented,drewabundanceoftears,whowithoutallpityhadmurderedinfinitenumbers,andsomeofhisownblood;soashethatwasnotashamedtomakemattersfortragedies,yetcouldnotresistthesweetviolenceofatragedy.Andifitwroughtnofarthergoodinhim,itwasthathe,indespiteofhimself,withdrewhimselffromhearkeningtothatwhichmightmollifyhishardenedheart.Butitisnotthetragedytheydodislike,foritweretooabsurdtocastoutsoexcellentarepresentationofwhatsoeverismostworthytobelearned.
Isitthelyricthatmostdispleaseth,whowithhistunedlyreandwell-accordedvoice,givethpraise,therewardofvirtue,tovirtuousacts?whogivethmoralpreceptsandnaturalproblems?whosometimesraisethuphisvoicetotheheightoftheheavens,insingingthelaudsoftheimmortalGod?Certainly,Imustconfessmineownbarbarousness;IneverheardtheoldsongofPercyandDouglas,thatIfoundnotmyheartmovedmorethanwithatrumpet;
{55}andyetitissungbutbysomeblindcrowder,withnoroughervoicethanrudestyle;whichbeingsoevilapparelledinthedustandcobwebofthatuncivilage,whatwoulditwork,trimmedinthegorgeouseloquenceofPindar?InHungaryIhaveseenitthemanneratallfeasts,andallothersuch-likemeetings,tohavesongsoftheirancestors\'valour,whichthatrightsoldier-likenationthinkoneofthechiefestkindlersofbravecourage.TheincomparableLacedaemoniansdidnotonlycarrythatkindofmusiceverwiththemtothefield,butevenathome,assuchsongsweremade,soweretheyallcontenttobesingersofthem;whenthelustymenweretotellwhattheydid,theoldmenwhattheyhaddone,andtheyoungwhattheywoulddo.AndwhereamanmaysaythatPindarmanytimespraisethhighlyvictoriesofsmallmoment,rathermattersofsportthanvirtue;asitmaybeanswered,itwasthefaultofthepoet,andnotofthepoetry,so,indeed,thechieffaultwasinthetimeandcustomoftheGreeks,whosetthosetoysatsohighaprice,thatPhilipofMacedonreckonedahorse-racewonatOlympusamongthreefearfulfelicities.ButastheinimitablePindaroftendid,soisthatkindmostcapable,andmostfit,toawakethethoughtsfromthesleepofidleness,toembracehonourableenterprises.
Therereststheheroical,{56}whoseveryname,Ithink,shoulddauntallbackbiters.ForbywhatconceitcanatonguebedirectedtospeakevilofthatwhichdrawethwithhimnolesschampionsthanAchilles,Cyrus,AEneas,Turus,Tydeus,Rinaldo?whodothnotonlyteachandmovetotruth,butteachethandmovethtothemosthighandexcellenttruth:whomakethmagnanimityandjusticeshinethroughallmistyfearfulnessandfoggydesires?who,ifthesayingofPlatoandTullybetrue,thatwhocouldseevirtue,wouldbewonderfullyravishedwiththeloveofherbeauty;thismansettethherouttomakehermorelovely,inherholidayapparel,totheeyeofanythatwilldeignnottodisdainuntiltheyunderstand.Butifanythingbealreadysaidinthedefenceofsweetpoetry,allconcurrethtothemaintainingtheheroical,whichisnotonlyakind,butthebestandmostaccomplishedkind,ofpoetry.For,astheimageofeachactionstirrethandinstructeththemind,sotheloftyimageofsuchworthiesmostinflameththemindwithdesiretobeworthy,andinformswithcounselhowtobeworthy.OnlyletAEneasbeworninthetabletofyourmemory,howhegovernethhimselfintheruinofhiscountry;inthepreservinghisoldfather,andcarryingawayhisreligiousceremonies;inobeyingGod\'scommandments,toleaveDido,thoughnotonlypassionatekindness,buteventhehumanconsiderationofvirtuousgratefulness,wouldhavecravedotherofhim;howinstorms,howinsports,howinwar,howinpeace,howafugitive,howvictorious,howbesieged,howbesieging,howtostrangers,howtoallies,howtoenemies;howtohisown,lastly,howinhisinwardself,andhowinhisoutwardgovernment;andIthink,inamindmostprejudicedwithaprejudicatinghumour,hewillbefoundinexcellencyfruitful.Yea,asHoracesaith,\"MeliusChrysippoetCrantore:\"{57}but,truly,I
imagineitfallethoutwiththesepoet-whippersaswithsomegoodwomenwhooftenaresick,butinfaiththeycannottellwhere.Sothenameofpoetryisodioustothem,butneitherhiscausenoreffects,neitherthesumthatcontainshim,northeparticularitiesdescendingfromhim,giveanyfasthandletotheircarpingdispraise.
Since,then,{58}poetryisofallhumanlearningsthemostancient,andofmostfatherlyantiquity,asfromwhenceotherlearningshavetakentheirbeginnings;sinceitissouniversalthatnolearnednationdothdespiseit,norbarbarousnationiswithoutit;sincebothRomanandGreekgavesuchdivinenamesuntoit,theoneofprophesying,theotherofmaking,andthatindeedthatnameofmakingisfitforhim,considering,thatwhereallotherartsretainthemselveswithintheirsubject,andreceive,asitwere,theirbeingfromit,thepoetonly,onlybringethhisownstuff,anddothnotlearnaconceitoutofamatter,butmakethmatterforaconceit;sinceneitherhisdescriptionnorendcontainethanyevil,thethingdescribedcannotbeevil;sincehiseffectsbesogoodastoteachgoodness,anddelightthelearnersofit;sincetherein(namely,inmoraldoctrine,thechiefofallknowledges)hedothnotonlyfarpassthehistorian,but,forinstructing,iswellnighcomparabletothephilosopher;formoving,leavethhimbehindhim;
sincetheHolyScripture(whereinthereisnouncleanness)hathwholepartsinitpoetical,andthatevenourSaviourChristvouchsafedtousetheflowersofit;sinceallhiskindsarenotonlyintheirunitedforms,butintheirsevereddissectionsfullycommendable;Ithink,andthinkIthinkrightly,thelaurelcrownappointedfortriumphantcaptains,dothworthily,ofallotherlearnings,honourthepoet\'striumph.
But{59}becausewehaveearsaswellastongues,andthatthelightestreasonsthatmaybe,willseemtoweighgreatly,ifnothingbeputinthecounterbalance,letushear,and,aswellaswecan,ponderwhatobjectionsbemadeagainstthisart,whichmaybeworthyeitherofyieldingoranswering.
First,truly,Inote,notonlyinthese[Greektext],poet-haters,butinallthatkindofpeoplewhoseekapraisebydispraisingothers,thattheydoprodigallyspendagreatmanywanderingwordsinquipsandscoffs,carpingandtauntingateachthing,which,bystirringthespleen,maystaythebrainfromathoroughbeholding,theworthinessofthesubject.Thosekindofobjections,astheyarefullofaveryidleuneasiness(sincethereisnothingofsosacredamajesty,butthatanitchingtonguemayrubitselfuponit),sodeservetheynootheranswer,but,insteadoflaughingatthejest,tolaughatthejester.Weknowaplayingwitcanpraisethediscretionofanass,thecomfortablenessofbeingindebt,andthejollycommoditiesofbeingsickoftheplague;so,ofthecontraryside,ifwewillturnOvid\'sverse,\"Utlateatvirtusproximitatemali.\"
\"Thatgoodlieshidinnearnessoftheevil,\"AgrippawillbeasmerryintheshowingtheVanityofScience,asErasmuswasinthecommendingofFolly;{60}neithershallanymanormatterescapesometouchofthesesmilingrailers.ButforErasmusandAgrippa,theyhadanotherfoundationthanthesuperficialpartwouldpromise.
Marry,theseotherpleasantfault-finders,whowillcorrecttheverbbeforetheyunderstandthenoun,andconfuteothers\'knowledgebeforetheyconfirmtheirown;Iwouldhavethemonlyremember,thatscoffingcomethnotofwisdom;soasthebesttitleintrueEnglishtheygetwiththeirmerriments,istobecalledgoodfools;forsohaveourgraveforefathersevertermedthathumorouskindofjesters.
Butthatwhichgivethgreatestscopetotheirscorninghumour,isrhymingandversing.{61}Itisalreadysaid,and,asIthink,trulysaid,itisnotrhymingandversingthatmakethpoesy;onemaybeapoetwithoutversing,andaversifierwithoutpoetry.Butyet,presupposeitwereinseparable,asindeed,itseemethScaligerjudgethtruly,itwereaninseparablecommendation;forif\"oratio\"
nextto\"ratio,\"speechnexttoreason,bethegreatestgiftbestoweduponmortality,thatcannotbepraiselesswhichdothmostpolishthatblessingofspeech;whichconsideretheachword,notonlyasamanmaysaybyhisforciblequality,butbyhisbestmeasuredquantity;carryingeveninthemselvesaharmony;without,perchance,number,measure,order,proportionbeinourtimegrownodious.
Butlayasidethejustpraiseithath,bybeingtheonlyfitspeechformusic——music,Isay,themostdivinestrikerofthesenses;thusmuchisundoubtedlytrue,thatifreadingbefoolishwithoutremembering,memorybeingtheonlytreasureofknowledge,thosewordswhicharefittestformemory,arelikewisemostconvenientforknowledge.Now,thatversefarexceedethproseintheknittingupofthememory,thereasonismanifest:thewords,besidestheirdelight,whichhathagreataffinitytomemory,beingsosetasonecannotbelost,butthewholeworkfails:whichaccusingitself,calleththeremembrancebacktoitself,andsomoststronglyconfirmethit.Besides,onewordso,asitwere,begettinganother,as,beitinrhymeormeasuredverse,bytheformeramanshallhaveanearguesstothefollower.Lastly,eventheythathavetaughttheartofmemory,haveshowednothingsoaptforitasacertainroomdividedintomanyplaces,wellandthoroughlyknown;nowthathaththeverseineffectperfectly,everywordhavinghisnaturalseat,whichseatmustneedsmakethewordremembered.Butwhatneedsmoreinathingsoknowntoallmen?WhoisitthateverwasascholarthatdothnotcarryawaysomeversesofVirgil,Horace,orCato,whichinhisyouthhelearned,andeventohisoldageservehimforhourlylessons?as,\"Percontatoremfugito:namgarrulusidemest.
Dumsibiquisqueplacetcredulaturbasumus.\"{62}
Butthefitnessithathformemoryisnotablyprovedbyalldeliveryofarts,wherein,forthemostpart,fromgrammartologic,mathematics,physic,andtherest,theruleschieflynecessarytobeborneawayarecompiledinverses.Sothatversebeinginitselfsweetandorderly,andbeingbestformemory,theonlyhandleofknowledge,itmustbeinjestthatanymancanspeakagainstit.
Now{63}thengowetothemostimportantimputationslaidtothepoorpoets;foraughtIcanyetlearn,theyarethese.
First,thattherebeingmanyothermorefruitfulknowledges,amanmightbetterspendhistimeinthemthaninthis.
Secondly,thatitisthemotheroflies.
Thirdly,thatitisthenurseofabuse,infectinguswithmanypestilentdesires,withasyrensweetness,drawingthemindtotheserpent\'stailofsinfulfancies;andherein,especially,comediesgivethelargestfieldtoear,asChaucersaith;how,bothinothernationsandours,beforepoetsdidsoftenus,wewerefullofcourage,giventomartialexercises,thepillarsofmanlikeliberty,andnotlulledasleepinshadyidlenesswithpoets\'pastimes.
Andlastlyandchiefly,theycryoutwithopenmouth,asiftheyhadovershotRobinHood,thatPlatobanishedthemoutofhiscommonwealth.Trulythisismuch,iftherebemuchtruthinit.
First,{64}tothefirst,thatamanmightbetterspendhistime,isareasonindeed;butitdoth,astheysay,but\"petereprincipium.\"
{65}Forifitbe,asIaffirm,thatnolearningissogoodasthatwhichteachethandmovethtovirtue,andthatnonecanbothteachandmovetheretosomuchaspoesy,thenistheconclusionmanifest,thatinkandpapercannotbetoamoreprofitablepurposeemployed.
Andcertainly,thoughamanshouldgranttheirfirstassumption,itshouldfollow,methinks,veryunwillingly,thatgoodisnotgoodbecausebetterisbetter.ButIstillandutterlydenythatthereissprungoutofearthamorefruitfulknowledge.
To{66}thesecond,therefore,thattheyshouldbetheprincipalliars,Ianswerparadoxically,buttruly,Ithinktruly,thatofallwritersunderthesun,thepoetistheleastliar;andthoughhewould,asapoet,canscarcelybealiar.Theastronomer,withhiscousinthegeometrician,canhardlyescapewhentheytakeuponthemtomeasuretheheightofthestars.Howoften,thinkyou,dothephysicianslie,whentheyaverthingsgoodforsicknesses,whichafterwardssendCharonagreatnumberofsoulsdrownedinapotionbeforetheycometohisferry.Andnolessoftherestwhichtakeuponthemtoaffirm.Nowforthepoet,henothingaffirmeth,andthereforeneverlieth;for,asItakeit,tolieistoaffirmthattobetruewhichisfalse:soastheotherartists,andespeciallythehistorian,affirmethmanythings,can,inthecloudyknowledgeofmankind,hardlyescapefrommanylies:butthepoet,asIsaidbefore,neveraffirmeth;thepoetnevermakethanycirclesaboutyourimagination,toconjureyoutobelievefortruewhathewriteth:hecitethnotauthoritiesofotherhistories,butevenforhisentrycalleththesweetMusestoinspireintohimagoodinvention;introth,notlabouringtotellyouwhatisorisnot,