butwhatshouldorshouldnotbe.And,therefore,thoughherecountthingsnottrue,yetbecausehetelleththemnotfortrueheliethnot;withoutwewillsaythatNathanliedinhisspeech,beforealleged,toDavid;which,asawickedmandurstscarcesay,sothinkInonesosimplewouldsay,thatAEsopliedinthetalesofhisbeasts;forwhothinkeththatAEsopwroteitforactuallytrue,werewellworthytohavehisnamechronicledamongthebeastshewritethof.Whatchildistherethatcomethtoaplay,andseeingThebeswritteningreatlettersuponanolddoor,dothbelievethatitisThebes?Ifthenamancanarrivetothechild\'sage,toknowthatthepoet\'spersonsanddoingsarebutpictureswhatshouldbe,andnotstorieswhathavebeen,theywillnevergivethelietothingsnotaffirmatively,butallegoricallyandfigurativelywritten;andtherefore,asinhistory,lookingfortruth,theymaygoawayfullfraughtwithfalsehood,soinpoesy,lookingbutforfiction,theyshallusethenarrationbutasanimaginativeground-plotofaprofitableinvention.
Butheretoisreplied,thatthepoetsgivenamestomentheywriteof,whicharguethaconceitofanactualtruth,andso,notbeingtrue,provethafalsehood.Anddoththelawyerliethen,when,underthenamesofJohnoftheStile,andJohnoftheNokes,heputtethhiscase?Butthatiseasilyanswered,theirnamingofmenisbuttomaketheirpicturethemorelively,andnottobuildanyhistory.Paintingmen,theycannotleavemennameless;weseewecannotplayatchessbutthatwemustgivenamestoourchess-men:
andyet,methinks,hewereaverypartialchampionoftruththatwouldsayweliedforgivingapieceofwoodthereverendtitleofabishop.ThepoetnamethCyrusandAEneasnootherwaythantoshowwhatmenoftheirfames,fortunes,andestatesshoulddo.
Their{67}thirdis,howmuchitabusethmen\'swit,trainingittoawantonsinfulnessandlustfullove.For,indeed,thatistheprincipalifnotonlyabuseIcanhearalleged.Theysaythecomediesratherteach,thanreprehend,amorousconceits;theysaythelyricislardedwithpassionatesonnets;theelegiacweepsthewantofhismistress;andthateventotheheroicalCupidhathambitiouslyclimbed.Alas!Love,Iwouldthoucouldstaswelldefendthyself,asthoucanstoffendothers!Iwouldthoseonwhomthoudostattend,couldeitherputtheeawayoryieldgoodreasonwhytheykeepthee!Butgrantloveofbeautytobeabeastlyfault,althoughitbeveryhard,sinceonlyman,andnobeast,haththatgifttodiscernbeauty;grantthatlovelynameoflovetodeserveallhatefulreproaches,althoughevensomeofmymastersthephilosophersspentagooddealoftheirlamp-oilinsettingforththeexcellencyofit;grant,Isay,whattheywillhavegranted,thatnotonlylove,butlust,butvanity,but,iftheylist,scurrility,possessmanyleavesofthepoets\'books;yet,thinkI,whenthisisgranted,theywillfindtheirsentencemay,withgoodmanners,putthelastwordsforemost;andnotsaythatpoetryabusethman\'swit,butthatman\'switabusethpoetry.ForIwillnotdenybutthatman\'switmaymakepoesy,whichshouldbe[Greektext],whichsomelearnedhavedefined,figuringforthgoodthings,tobe[Greektext],whichdothcontrariwiseinfectthefancywithunworthyobjects;asthepainter,whoshouldgivetotheeyeeithersomeexcellentperspective,orsomefinepicturefitforbuildingorfortification,orcontaininginitsomenotableexample,asAbrahamsacrificinghissonIsaac,JudithkillingHolofernes,DavidfightingwithGoliath,mayleavethose,andpleaseanill-pleasedeyewithwantonshowsofbetter-hiddenmatters.
But,what!shalltheabuseofathingmaketherightuseodious?
Nay,truly,thoughIyieldthatpoesymaynotonlybeabused,butthatbeingabused,bythereasonofhissweetcharmingforce,itcandomorehurtthananyotherarmyofwords,yetshallitbesofarfromconcluding,thattheabuseshallgivereproachtotheabused,that,contrariwise,itisagoodreason,thatwhatsoeverbeingabused,dothmostharm,beingrightlyused(andupontherightuseeachthingreceiveshistitle)dothmostgood.Dowenotseeskillofphysic,thebestrampire{68}toouroften-assaultedbodies,beingabused,teachpoison,themostviolentdestroyer?Dothnotknowledgeoflaw,whoseendistoevenandrightallthings,beingabused,growthecrookedfostererofhorribleinjuries?Dothnot(togointhehighest)God\'swordabusedbreedheresy,andHisnameabusedbecomeblasphemy?Truly,aneedlecannotdomuchhurt,andastruly(withleaveofladiesbeitspoken)itcannotdomuchgood.
Withaswordthoumayestkillthyfather,andwithaswordthoumayestdefendthyprinceandcountry;sothat,asintheircallingpoetsfathersoflies,theysaidnothing,sointhistheirargumentofabuse,theyprovethecommendation.
Theyallegeherewith,thatbeforepoetsbegantobeinprice,ournationhadsettheirheart\'sdelightuponaction,andnotimagination;ratherdoingthingsworthytobewritten,thanwritingthingsfittobedone.Whatthatbeforetimewas,IthinkscarcelySphynxcantell;sincenomemoryissoancientthatgivesnottheprecedencetopoetry.Andcertainitis,that,inourplainesthomeliness,yetneverwastheAlbionnationwithoutpoetry.Marry,thisargument,thoughitbelevelledagainstpoetry,yetitisindeedachain-shotagainstalllearningorbookishness,astheycommonlytermit.OfsuchmindwerecertainGoths,ofwhomitiswritten,thathavinginthespoilofafamouscitytakenafairlibrary,onehangman,belikefittoexecutethefruitsoftheirwits,whohadmurderedagreatnumberofbodies,wouldhavesetfireinit.\"No,\"saidanother,verygravely,\"takeheedwhatyoudo,forwhiletheyarebusyaboutthosetoys,weshallwithmoreleisureconquertheircountries.\"This,indeed,istheordinarydoctrineofignorance,andmanywordssometimesIhaveheardspentinit;butbecausethisreasonisgenerallyagainstalllearningaswellaspoetry,orratheralllearningbutpoetry;becauseitweretoolargeadigressiontohandleit,oratleasttoosuperfluous,sinceitismanifestthatallgovernmentofactionistobegottenbyknowledge,andknowledgebestbygatheringmanyknowledges,whichisreading,;
IonlysaywithHorace,tohimthatisofthatopinion,\"Jubeostultumesselibenter——\"{69}
forasforpoetryitself,itisthefreestfromthis,objection,forpoetryisthecompanionofcamps.Idareundertake,OrlandoFurioso,orhonestKingArthur,willneverdispleaseasoldier:butthequiddityof\"ens\"and\"primamateria\"willhardlyagreewithacorslet.And,therefore,asIsaidinthebeginning,evenTurksandTartarsaredelightedwithpoets.Homer,aGreek,flourishedbeforeGreeceflourished;andiftoaslightconjectureaconjecturemaybeopposed,trulyitmayseem,thatasbyhimtheirlearnedmentookalmosttheirfirstlightofknowledge,sotheiractivemenreceivetheirfirstnotionsofcourage.OnlyAlexander\'sexamplemayserve,whobyPlutarchisaccountedofsuchvirtuethatfortunewasnothisguidebuthisfootstool;whoseactsspeakforhim,thoughPlutarchdidnot;indeed,thephoenixofwarlikeprinces.ThisAlexanderlefthisschoolmaster,livingAristotle,behindhim,buttookdeadHomerwithhim.HeputthephilosopherCallisthenestodeath,forhisseemingphilosophical,indeedmutinous,stubbornness;butthechiefthinghewaseverheardtowishforwasthatHomerhadbeenalive.HewellfoundhereceivedmorebraveryofmindbythepatternofAchilles,thanbyhearingthedefinitionoffortitude.
And,therefore,ifCatomislikedFulviusforcarryingEnniuswithhimtothefield,itmaybeansweredthatifCatomislikeditthenobleFulviuslikedit,orelsehehadnotdoneit;foritwasnottheexcellentCatoUticensiswhoseauthorityIwouldmuchmorehavereverenced,butitwastheformer,intruthabitterpunisheroffaults,butelseamanthathadneversacrificedtotheGraces.Hemisliked,andcriedoutagainst,allGreeklearning,andyet,beingfourscoreyearsold,begantolearnit,belikefearingthatPlutounderstoodnotLatin.Indeed,theRomanlawsallowednopersontobecarriedtothewarsbuthethatwasinthesoldiers\'roll.And,therefore,thoughCatomislikedhisunmusteredperson,hemislikednothiswork.Andifhehad,ScipioNasica(judgedbycommonconsentthebestRoman)lovedhim:boththeotherScipiobrothers,whohadbytheirvirtuesnolesssurnamesthanofAsiaandAfric,solovedhimthattheycausedhisbodytobeburiedintheirsepulture.
So,asCato\'sauthoritybeingbutagainsthisperson,andthatansweredwithsofargreaterthanhimself,ishereinofnovalidity.
But{70}now,indeed,myburthenisgreat,thatPlato\'snameislaiduponme,whom,Imustconfess,ofallphilosophersIhaveeveresteemedmostworthyofreverence;andwithgoodreason,sinceofallphilosophersheisthemostpoetical;yetifhewilldefilethefountainoutofwhichhisflowingstreamshaveproceeded,letusboldlyexaminewithwhatreasonhedidit.
First,truly,amanmightmaliciouslyobjectthatPlato,beingaphilosopher,wasanaturalenemyofpoets.For,indeed,afterthephilosophershadpickedoutofthesweetmysteriesofpoetrytherightdiscerningoftruepointsofknowledge,theyforthwith,puttingitinmethod,andmakingaschoolofartofthatwhichthepoetsdidonlyteachbyadivinedelightfulness,beginningtospurnattheirguides,likeungratefulapprentices,werenotcontenttosetupshopforthemselves,butsoughtbyallmeanstodiscredittheirmasters;which,bytheforceofdelightbeingbarredthem,thelesstheycouldoverthrowthem,themoretheyhatedthem.For,indeed,theyfoundforHomersevencitiesstrovewhoshouldhavehimfortheircitizen,wheremanycitiesbanishedphilosophersasnotfitmemberstoliveamongthem.ForonlyrepeatingcertainofEuripides\'versesmanyAthenianshadtheirlivessavedoftheSyracusans,wheretheAtheniansthemselvesthoughtmanyofthephilosophersunworthytolive.Certainpoets,asSimonidesandPindar,hadsoprevailedwithHierotheFirst,thatofatyranttheymadehimajustking;wherePlatocoulddosolittlewithDionysiusthathehimself,ofaphilosopher,wasmadeaslave.Butwhoshoulddothus,Iconfess,shouldrequitetheobjectionsraisedagainstpoetswithlikecavillationsagainstphilosophers;aslikewiseoneshoulddothatshouldbidonereadPhaedrusorSymposiuminPlato,orthediscourseofLoveinPlutarch,andseewhetheranypoetdoauthoriseabominablefilthinessastheydo.
Again,amanmightask,outofwhatCommonwealthPlatodothbanishthem?Insooth,thencewherehehimselfallowethcommunityofwomen.So,asbelikethisbanishmentgrewnotforeffeminatewantonness,sincelittleshouldpoeticalsonnetsbehurtful,whenamanmighthavewhatwomanhelisted.ButIhonourphilosophicalinstructions,andblessthewitswhichbredthem,soastheybenotabused,whichislikewisestretchedtopoetry.SaintPaulhimselfsetsawatchworduponphilosophy,indeedupontheabuse.SodothPlatoupontheabuse,notuponpoetry.Platofoundfaultthatthepoetsofhistimefilledtheworldwithwrongopinionsofthegods,makinglighttalesofthatunspottedessence,andthereforewouldnothavetheyouthdepravedwithsuchopinions.Hereinmaymuchbesaid;letthissuffice:thepoetsdidnotinducesuchopinions,butdidimitatethoseopinionsalreadyinduced.ForalltheGreekstoriescanwelltestifythattheveryreligionofthattimestooduponmanyandmany-fashionedgods;nottaughtsobypoets,butfollowedaccordingtotheirnatureofimitation.WholistmayreadinPlutarchthediscoursesofIsisandOsiris,ofthecausewhyoraclesceased,oftheDivineprovidence,andseewhetherthetheologyofthatnationstoodnotuponsuchdreams,whichthepoetsindeedsuperstitiouslyobserved;andtruly,sincetheyhadnotthelightofChrist,didmuchbetterinitthanthephilosophers,who,shakingoffsuperstition,broughtinatheism.
>
Plato,therefore,whoseauthorityIhadmuchratherjustlyconstruethanunjustlyresist,meantnotingeneralofpoets,inthosewordsofwhichJuliusScaligersaith,\"quaauthoritate,barbariquidamatqueinsipidi,abutivelintadpoetaserepublicaexigendos{71}:\"
butonlymeanttodriveoutthosewrongopinionsoftheDeity,whereofnow,withoutfartherlaw,Christianityhathtakenawayallthehurtfulbelief,perchanceashethoughtnourishedbythenesteemedpoets.AndamanneedgonofartherthantoPlatohimselftoknowhismeaning;who,inhisdialoguecalled\"Ion,\"{72}givethhigh,andrightly,divinecommendationuntopoetry.SoasPlato,banishingtheabuse,notthething,notbanishingit,butgivingduehonourtoit,shallbeourpatron,andnotouradversary.For,indeed,Ihadmuchrather,sincetrulyImaydoit,showtheirmistakingofPlato,underwhoselion\'sskintheywouldmakeanass-
likebrayingagainstpoesy,thangoabouttooverthrowhisauthority;whom,thewiseramanis,themorejustcauseheshallfindtohaveinadmiration;especiallysinceheattributethuntopoesymorethanmyselfdo,namely,tobeaveryinspiringofadivineforce,faraboveman\'swit,asinthefore-nameddialogueisapparent.
Oftheotherside,whowouldshowthehonourshavebeenbythebestsortofjudgmentsgrantedthem,awholeseaofexampleswouldpresentthemselves;Alexanders,Caesars,Scipios,allfavourersofpoets;Laelius,calledtheRomanSocrates,himselfapoet;soaspartofHeautontimeroumenos,inTerence,wassupposedtobemadebyhim.AndeventheGreekSocrates,whomApolloconfirmedtobetheonlywiseman,issaidtohavespentpartofhisoldtimeinputtingAEsop\'sFablesintoverse;and,therefore,fullevilshoulditbecomehisscholarPlatotoputsuchwordsinhismaster\'smouthagainstpoets.Butwhatneedsmore?Aristotlewritesthe\"ArtofPoesy;\"andwhy,ifitshouldnotbewritten?Plutarchteacheththeusetobegatheredofthem;andhow,iftheyshouldnotberead?
AndwhoreadsPlutarch\'seitherhistoryorphilosophy,shallfindhetrimmethboththeirgarmentswithguards{73}ofpoesy.
ButIlistnottodefendpoesywiththehelpofhisunderlinghistoriographer.Letitsufficetohaveshoweditisafitsoilforpraisetodwellupon;andwhatdispraisemaybesetuponitiseithereasilyovercome,ortransformedintojustcommendation.Sothatsincetheexcellencesofitmaybesoeasilyandsojustlyconfirmed,andthelowcreepingobjectionssosoontroddendown{74};itnotbeinganartoflies,butoftruedoctrine;notofeffeminateness,butofnotablestirringofcourage;notofabusingman\'swit,butofstrengtheningman\'swit;notbanished,buthonouredbyPlato;letusratherplantmorelaurelsfortoingarlandthepoets\'heads(whichhonourofbeinglaureate,asbesidesthemonlytriumphantcaptainswere,isasufficientauthoritytoshowthepricetheyoughttobeheldin)thansuffertheill-favouredbreathofsuchwrongspeakersoncetoblowupontheclearspringsofpoesy.
But{75}sinceIhaverunsolongacareerinthismatter,methinks,beforeIgivemypenafullstop,itshallbebutalittlemorelosttimetoinquire,whyEngland,themotherofexcellentminds,shouldbegrownsohardastep-mothertopoets,whocertainlyinwitoughttopassallothers,sinceallonlyproceedsfromtheirwit,being,indeed,makersofthemselves,nottakersofothers.HowcanIbutexclaim,\"Musa,mihicausasmemora,quonuminelaeso?\"{76}
Sweetpoesy!thathathancientlyhadkings,emperors,senators,greatcaptains,suchas,besidesathousandothers,David,Adrian,Sophocles,Germanicus,notonlytofavourpoets,buttobepoets;
andofournearertimescanpresentforherpatrons,aRobert,KingofSicily;thegreatKingFrancisofFrance;KingJamesofScotland;
suchcardinalsasBembusandBibiena;suchfamouspreachersandteachersasBezaandMelancthon;solearnedphilosophersasFracastoriusandScaliger;sogreatoratorsasPontanusandMuretus;
sopiercingwitsasGeorgeBuchanan;sogravecouncillorsas,besidesmany,butbeforeall,thatHospital{77}ofFrance,thanwhom,Ithink,thatrealmneverbroughtforthamoreaccomplishedjudgmentmorefirmlybuildeduponvirtue;Isaythese,withnumbersofothers,notonlytoreadothers\'poesies,buttopoetiseforothers\'reading:thatpoesy,thusembracedinallotherplaces,shouldonlyfindinourtimeahardwelcomeinEngland,Ithinktheveryearthlamentsit,andthereforedecksoursoilwithfewerlaurelsthanitwasaccustomed.ForheretoforepoetshaveinEnglandalsoflourished;and,whichistobenoted,eveninthosetimeswhenthetrumpetofMarsdidsoundloudest.Andnowthatanover-faintquietnessshouldseemtostrewthehouseforpoets,theyarealmostinasgoodreputationasthemountebanksatVenice.
Truly,eventhat,asoftheonesideitgivethgreatpraisetopoesy,which,likeVenus(buttobetterpurpose),hadratherbetroubledinthenetwithMars,thanenjoythehomelyquietofVulcan;soservethitforapieceofareasonwhytheyarelessgratefultoidleEngland,whichnowcanscarceendurethepainofapen.Uponthisnecessarilyfolloweththatbasemenwithservilewitsundertakeit,whothinkitenoughiftheycanberewardedoftheprinter;andsoasEpaminondasissaid,withthehonourofhisvirtue,tohavemadeanofficebyhisexercisingit,whichbeforewascontemptible,tobecomehighlyrespected;sothesemen,nomorebutsettingtheirnamestoit,bytheirowndisgracefulness,disgracethemostgracefulpoesy.Fornow,asifalltheMusesweregotwithchild,tobringforthbastardpoets,withoutanycommission,theydopostoverthebanksofHelicon,untiltheymaketheirreadersmorewearythanpost-horses;while,inthemeantime,they,\"QueismeliorelutofinxitpraecordiaTitan,\"{78}
arebettercontenttosuppresstheoutflowingsoftheirwit,thanbypublishingthemtobeaccountedknightsofthesameorder.
ButIthat,beforeeverIdurstaspireuntothedignity,amadmittedintothecompanyofthepaper-blurrers,dofindtheverytruecauseofourwantingestimationiswantofdesert,takinguponustobepoetsindespiteofPallas.Now,whereinwewantdesert,wereathankworthylabourtoexpress.ButifIknew,Ishouldhavemendedmyself;butasIneverdesiredthetitlesohaveIneglectedthemeanstocomebyit;only,overmasteredbysomethoughts,Iyieldedaninkytributeuntothem.Marry,theythatdelightinpoesyitself,shouldseektoknowwhattheydo,andhowtheydo,especiallylookthemselvesinanunflatteringglassofreason,iftheybeinclinableuntoit.
Forpoesymustnotbedrawnbytheears,itmustbegentlyled,orratheritmustlead;whichwaspartlythecausethatmadetheancientlearnedaffirmitwasadivine,andnohumanskill,sinceallotherknowledgesliereadyforanythathavestrengthofwit;apoetnoindustrycanmake,ifhisowngeniusbenotcarriedintoit.
Andthereforeisanoldproverb,\"Oratorfit,poetanascitur.\"{79}
YetconfessIalways,thatasthefertilestgroundmustbemanured,somustthehighestflyingwithaveaDaedalustoguidehim.ThatDaedalus,theysay,bothinthisandinother,haththreewingstobearitselfupintotheairofduecommendation;thatisart,imitation,andexercise.Butthese,neitherartificialrules,norimitativepatterns,wemuchcumberourselveswithal.Exercise,indeed,wedo,butthatveryforebackwardly;forwhereweshouldexercisetoknow,weexerciseashavingknown;andsoisourbraindeliveredofmuchmatterwhichneverwasbegottenbyknowledge.Fortherebeingtwoprincipalparts,mattertobeexpressedbywords,andwordstoexpressthematter,inneitherweuseartorimitationrightly.Ourmatteris\"quodlibet,\"{80}indeed,althoughwrongly,performingOvid\'sverse,\"Quicquidconabordicere,versuserit;\"{81}
nevermarshallingitintoanyassuredrank,thatalmostthereaderscannottellwheretofindthemselves.
Chaucer,undoubtedly,didexcellentlyinhisTroilusandCressida;
ofwhom,truly,Iknownotwhethertomarvelmore,eitherthatheinthatmistytimecouldseesoclearly,orthatweinthisclearagegosostumblinglyafterhim.Yethadhegreatwants,fittobeforgiveninsoreverendantiquity.IaccounttheMirrorofMagistratesmeetlyfurnishedofbeautifulparts.AndintheEarlofSurrey\'sLyrics,manythingstastingofanoblebirth,andworthyofanoblemind.The\"Shepherds\'Kalendar\"hathmuchpoesyinhiseclogues,indeed,worthythereading,ifIbenotdeceived.Thatsameframingofhis{82}styletoanoldrusticlanguage,Idarenotallow;sinceneitherTheocritusinGreek,VirgilinLatin,norSannazaroinItalian,didaffectit.Besidesthese,Idonotremembertohaveseenbutfew(tospeakboldly)printedthathavepoeticalsinewsinthem.Forproofwhereof,letbutmostoftheversesbeputinprose,andthenaskthemeaning,anditwillbefoundthatoneversedidbutbegetanother,withoutorderingatthefirstwhatshouldbeatthelast;whichbecomesaconfusedmassofwords,withatinklingsoundofrhyme,barelyaccompaniedwithreason.
Our{83}tragediesandcomedies,notwithoutcause,arecriedoutagainst,observingrulesneitherofhonestcivilitynorskilfulpoetry.ExceptingGorboduc(againIsayofthosethatIhaveseen),whichnotwithstanding,asitisfullofstatelyspeeches,andwell-
soundingphrases,climbingtotheheightofSenecahisstyle,andasfullofnotablemorality,whichitdoesmostdelightfullyteach,andsoobtaintheveryendofpoesy;yet,intruth,itisverydefectuousinthecircumstances,whichgrievesme,becauseitmightnotremainasanexactmodelofalltragedies.Foritisfaultybothinplaceandtime,thetwonecessarycompanionsofallcorporalactions.Forwherethestageshouldalwaysrepresentbutoneplace;
andtheuttermosttimepresupposedinitshouldbe,bothbyAristotle\'sprecept,andcommonreason,butoneday;thereisbothmanydaysandmanyplacesinartificiallyimagined.
ButifitbesoinGorboduc,howmuchmoreinalltherest?whereyoushallhaveAsiaoftheoneside,andAfricoftheother,andsomanyotherunderkingdoms,thattheplayer,whenhecomesin,musteverbeginwithtellingwhereheis,{84}orelsethetalewillnotbeconceived.Nowshallyouhavethreeladieswalktogatherflowers,andthenwemustbelievethestagetobeagarden.Byandby,wehearnewsofshipwreckinthesameplace,thenwearetoblameifweacceptitnotforarock.Uponthebackofthatcomesoutahideousmonsterwithfireandsmoke,andthenthemiserablebeholdersareboundtotakeitforacave;while,inthemeantime,twoarmiesflyin,representedwithfourswordsandbucklers,andthen,whathardheartwillnotreceiveitforapitchedfield?
Nowoftimetheyaremuchmoreliberal;forordinaryitis,thattwoyoungprincesfallinlove;aftermanytraversessheisgotwithchild;deliveredofafairboy;heislost,growethaman,fallethinlove,andisreadytogetanotherchild;andallthisintwohours\'space;which,howabsurditisinsense,evensensemayimagine;andarthathtaughtandallancientexamplesjustified,andatthisdaytheordinaryplayersinItalywillnoterrin.YetwillsomebringinanexampleoftheEunuchinTerence,thatcontainethmatteroftwodays,yetfarshortoftwentyyears.Trueitis,andsowasittobeplayedintwodays,andsofittedtothetimeitsetforth.AndthoughPlautushaveinoneplacedoneamiss,letushititwithhim,andnotmisswithhim.Buttheywillsay,Howthenshallwesetforthastorywhichcontainsbothmanyplacesandmanytimes?Anddotheynotknow,thatatragedyistiedtothelawsofpoesy,andnotofhistory;notboundtofollowthestory,buthavinglibertyeithertofeignaquitenewmatter,ortoframethehistorytothemosttragicalconvenience?Again,manythingsmaybetold,whichcannotbeshowed:iftheyknowthedifferencebetwixtreportingandrepresenting.Asforexample,Imayspeak,thoughI
amhere,ofPeru,andinspeechdigressfromthattothedescriptionofCalicut;butinactionIcannotrepresentitwithoutPacolet\'shorse.Andsowasthemannertheancientstookbysome\"Nuntius,\"
{85}torecountthingsdoneinformertime,orotherplace.
Lastly,iftheywillrepresentanhistory,theymustnot,asHoracesaith,begin\"abovo,\"{86}buttheymustcometotheprincipalpointofthatoneactionwhichtheywillrepresent.Byexamplethiswillbebestexpressed;IhaveastoryofyoungPolydorus,delivered,forsafety\'ssake,withgreatriches,byhisfatherPriamustoPolymnestor,KingofThrace,intheTrojanwartime.He,aftersomeyears,hearingoftheoverthrowofPriamus,fortomakethetreasurehisown,murdereththechild;thebodyofthechildistakenup;Hecuba,she,thesameday,findethasleighttoberevengedmostcruellyofthetyrant.Where,now,wouldoneofourtragedy-writersbegin,butwiththedeliveryofthechild?ThenshouldhesailoverintoThrace,andsospendIknownothowmanyyears,andtravelnumbersofplaces.ButwheredothEuripides?
Evenwiththefindingofthebody;leavingtheresttobetoldbythespiritofPolydorus.Thisneedsnofarthertobeenlarged;thedullestwitmayconceiveit.
But,besidesthesegrossabsurdities,howalltheirplaysbeneitherrighttragediesnorrightcomedies,minglingkingsandclowns,notbecausethemattersocarriethit,butthrustintheclownbyheadandshoulderstoplayapartinmajesticalmatters,withneitherdecencynordiscretion;soasneithertheadmirationandcommiseration,northerightsportfulness,isbytheirmongreltragi-comedyobtained.IknowApuleiusdidsomewhatso,butthatisathingrecountedwithspaceoftime,notrepresentedinonemoment:
andIknowtheancientshaveoneortwoexamplesoftragi-comediesasPlautushathAmphytrio.But,ifwemarkthemwell,weshallfind,thattheynever,orverydaintily,matchhorn-pipesandfunerals.Sofallethitout,thathavingindeednorightcomedyinthatcomicalpartofourtragedy,wehavenothingbutscurrility,unworthyofanychasteears;orsomeextremeshowofdoltishness,indeedfittoliftupaloudlaughter,andnothingelse;wherethewholetractofacomedyshouldbefullofdelight;asthetragedyshouldbestillmaintainedinawell-raisedadmiration.
Butourcomediansthinkthereisnodelightwithoutlaughter,whichisverywrong;forthoughlaughtermaycomewithdelight,yetcomethitnotofdelight,asthoughdelightshouldbethecauseoflaughter;butwellmayonethingbreedbothtogether.Nay,inthemselves,theyhave,asitwere,akindofcontrariety.Fordelightwescarcelydo,butinthingsthathaveaconveniencytoourselves,ortothegeneralnature.Laughteralmostevercomethofthingsmostdisproportionedtoourselvesandnature:delighthathajoyiniteitherpermanentorpresent;laughterhathonlyascornfultickling.Forexample:weareravishedwithdelighttoseeafairwoman,andyetarefarfrombeingmovedtolaughter;welaughatdeformedcreatures,whereincertainlywecannotdelight;wedelightingoodchances;welaughatmischances;wedelighttohearthehappinessofourfriendsandcountry,atwhichhewereworthytobelaughedatthatwouldlaugh:weshall,contrarily,sometimeslaughtofindamatterquitemistaken,andgodownthehillagainstthebias,{87}inthemouthofsomesuchmen,asfortherespectofthem,oneshallbeheartilysorrowhecannotchoosebutlaugh,andsoisratherpainedthandelightedwithlaughter.YetdenyInot,butthattheymaygowelltogether;for,asinAlexander\'spicturewellsetout,wedelightwithoutlaughter,andintwentymadanticswelaughwithoutdelight:soinHercules,paintedwithhisgreatbeardandfuriouscountenance,inawoman\'sattire,spinningatOmphale\'scommandment,itbreedsbothdelightandlaughter;fortherepresentingofsostrangeapowerinloveprocuresdelight,andthescornfulnessoftheactionstirrethlaughter.
ButIspeaktothispurpose,thatalltheendofthecomicalpartbenotuponsuchscornfulmattersasstirlaughteronly,butmixwithitthatdelightfulteachingwhichistheendofpoesy.Andthegreatfault,eveninthatpointoflaughter,andforbiddenplainlybyAristotle,is,thattheystirlaughterinsinfulthings,whichareratherexecrablethanridiculous;orinmiserable,whicharerathertobepitiedthanscorned.Forwhatisittomakefolksgapeatawretchedbeggar,andabeggarlyclown;oragainstthelawofhospitality,tojestatstrangers,becausetheyspeaknotEnglishsowellaswedo?whatdowelearn,sinceitiscertain,\"Nilhabetinfelixpauperatasduriusinse,Quamqnodridiculos,hominesfacit.\"{88}
Butratherabusylovingcourtier,andaheartlessthreateningThraso;aself-wiseseemingschool-master;awry-transformedtraveller:these,ifwesawwalkinstagenames,whichweplaynaturally,thereinweredelightfullaughter,andteachingdelightfulness:asintheother,thetragediesofBuchanan{89}dojustlybringforthadivineadmiration.
ButIhavelavishedouttoomanywordsofthisplaymatter;Idoit,because,astheyareexcellingpartsofpoesy,soistherenonesomuchusedinEngland,andnonecanbemorepitifullyabused;which,likeanunmannerlydaughter,showingabadeducation,causethhermotherPoesy\'shonestytobecalledinquestion.
Other{90}sortsofpoetry,almost,havewenone,butthatlyricalkindofsongsandsonnets,which,iftheLordgaveussogoodminds,howwellitmightbeemployed,andwithhowheavenlyfruits,bothprivateandpublic,insingingthepraisesoftheimmortalbeauty,theimmortalgoodnessofthatGod,whogivethushandstowrite,andwitstoconceive;ofwhichwemightwellwantwords,butnevermatter;ofwhichwecouldturnoureyestonothing,butweshouldeverhavenewbuddingoccasions.
But,truly,manyofsuchwritingsascomeunderthebannerofunresistiblelove,ifIwereamistress,wouldneverpersuademetheywereinlove;socoldlytheyapplyfieryspeeches,asmenthathadratherreadlover\'swritings,andsocaughtupcertainswellingphrases,whichhangtogetherlikeamanthatoncetoldme,\"thewindwasatnorth-westandbysouth,\"becausehewouldbesuretonamewindsenough;thanthat,intruth,theyfeelthosepassions,whicheasily,asIthink,maybebewrayedbythesameforcibleness,or\"energia\"(astheGreekscallit),ofthewriter.Butletthisbeasufficient,thoughshortnote,thatwemisstherightuseofthematerialpointofpoesy.
Now{91}fortheoutsideofit,whichiswords,or(asImaytermit)diction,itisevenwellworse;soisthathoney-flowingmatroneloquence,apparelled,orratherdisguised,inacourtesan-likepaintedaffectation.Onetimewithsofar-fetchedwords,thatmanyseemmonsters,butmostseemstrangerstoanypoorEnglishman:
anothertimewithcoursingofaletter,asiftheywereboundtofollowthemethodofadictionary:anothertimewithfiguresandflowers,extremelywinter-starved.
ButIwouldthisfaultwereonlypeculiartoversifiers,andhadnotaslargepossessionamongproseprinters:and,whichistobemarvelled,amongmanyscholars,and,whichistobepitied,amongsomepreachers.Truly,Icouldwish(ifatleastImightbesoboldtowish,inathingbeyondthereachofmycapacity)thediligentimitatorsofTullyandDemosthenes,mostworthytobeimitated,didnotsomuchkeepNizolianpaper-books{92}oftheirfiguresandphrases,asbyattentivetranslation,asitwere,devourthemwhole,andmakethemwhollytheirs.Fornowtheycastsugarandspiceuponeverydishthatisservedatthetable:likethoseIndians,notcontenttowearear-ringsatthefitandnaturalplaceoftheears,buttheywillthrustjewelsthroughtheirnoseandlips,becausetheywillbesuretobefine.
Tully,whenhewastodriveoutCatiline,asitwerewithathunderboltofeloquence,oftenuseththefigureofrepetition,as\"vivitetvincit,imoinsenatumvenit,imoinsenatumvenit,\"&c.
{93}Indeed,inflamedwithawell-groundedrage,hewouldhavehiswords,asitwere,doubleoutofhismouth;andsodothatartificiallywhichweseemenincholerdonaturally.Andwe,havingnotedthegraceofthosewords,haletheminsometimestoafamiliarepistle,whenitweretoomuchcholertobecholeric.
Howwell,storeof\"similitercadences\"dothsoundwiththegravityofthepulpit,IwouldbutinvokeDemosthenes\'soultotell,whowithararedaintinessuseththem.Truly,theyhavemademethinkofthesophister,thatwithtoomuchsubtletywouldprovetwoeggsthree,andthoughhemaybecountedasophister,hadnoneforhislabour.Sothesemenbringinginsuchakindofeloquence,wellmaytheyobtainanopinionofaseemingfineness,butpersuadefew,whichshouldbetheendoftheirfineness.
Nowforsimilitudesincertainprinteddiscourses,Ithinkallherbalists,allstoriesofbeasts,fowls,andfishesarerifledup,thattheymaycomeinmultitudestowaituponanyofourconceits,whichcertainlyisasabsurdasurfeittotheearsasispossible.
Fortheforceofasimilitudenotbeingtoproveanythingtoacontrarydisputer,butonlytoexplaintoawillinghearer:whenthatisdone,therestisamosttediousprattling,ratheroverswayingthememoryfromthepurposewheretotheywereapplied,thananywhitinformingthejudgment,alreadyeithersatisfied,orbysimilitudesnottobesatisfied.
Formypart,Idonotdoubt,whenAntoniusandCrassus,thegreatforefathersofCiceroineloquence;theone(asCicerotestifiethofthem)pretendednottoknowart,theothernottosetbyit,becausewithaplainsensiblenesstheymightwincreditofpopularears,whichcreditistheneareststeptopersuasion(whichpersuasionisthechiefmarkoforatory);Idonotdoubt,Isay,butthattheyusedtheseknacksverysparingly;whichwhodothgenerallyuse,anymanmaysee,dothdancetohisownmusic;andsotohenotedbytheaudience,morecarefultospeakcuriouslythantruly.Undoubtedly(atleasttomyopinionundoubtedly)Ihavefoundindiverssmall-
learnedcourtiersamoresoundstylethaninsomeprofessorsoflearning;ofwhichIcanguessnoothercause,butthatthecourtierfollowingthatwhichbypracticehefindethfittesttonature,therein(thoughheknowitnot)dothaccordingtoart,thoughnotbyart:wheretheother,usingarttoshowart,andnothideart(asinthesecasesheshoulddo),fliethfromnature,andindeedabusethart.
Butwhat!methinksIdeservetobepounded{94}forstrayingfrompoetrytooratory:butbothhavesuchanaffinityinthewordishconsiderations,thatIthinkthisdigressionwillmakemymeaningreceivethefullerunderstanding:whichisnottotakeuponmetoteachpoetshowtheyshoulddo,butonlyfindingmyselfsickamongtherest,toallowsoniconeortwospotsofthecommoninfectiongrownamongthemostpartofwriters;that,acknowledgingourselvessomewhatawry,wemaybendtotherightusebothofmatterandmanner:wheretoourlanguagegivethusgreatoccasion,being,indeed,capableofanyexcellentexercisingofit.{95}Iknowsomewillsay,itisamingledlanguage:andwhynotsomuchthebetter,takingthebestofboththeother?Anotherwillsay,itwantethgrammar.Nay,truly,ithaththatpraise,thatitwantsnotgrammar;forgrammaritmighthave,butneedsitnot;beingsoeasyinitself,andsovoidofthosecumbersomedifferencesofcases,genders,moods,andtenses;which,Ithink,wasapieceofthetowerofBabylon\'scurse,thatamanshouldbeputtoschooltolearnhismothertongue.Butfortheutteringsweetlyandproperlytheconceitofthemind,whichistheendofspeech,thathathitequallywithanyothertongueintheworld,andisparticularlyhappyincompositionsoftwoorthreewordstogether,neartheGreek,farbeyondtheLatin;whichisoneofthegreatestbeautiescanbeinalanguage.