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EnglishEssays:SidneytoMacaulay.
TheHarvardClassics.190914.

TheDefenseofPoesy

SirPhilipSidney

WHENtherightvirtuousEdwardWottonandIwereattheEmperors1courttogether,we
gaveourselvestolearnhorsemanshipofJohnPietroPugliano,onethatwithgreat
commendationhadtheplaceofanesquireinhisstableandhe,accordingtothe
fertilenessoftheItalianwit,didnotonlyaffordusthedemonstrationofhispractice,but
soughttoenrichourmindswiththecontemplationsthereinwhichhethoughtmost
precious.ButwithnoneIremembermineearswereatanytimemoreloaden,thanwhen
eitherangeredwithslowpayment,ormovedwithourlearnerlikeadmirationhe
exercisedhisspeechinthepraiseofhisfaculty.Hesaidsoldierswerethenoblestestate
ofmankind,andhorsementhenoblestofsoldiers.Hesaidtheywerethemastersofwar
andornamentsofpeace,speedygoersandstrongabiders,triumphersbothincampsand
courts.Nay,tosounbelievedapointheproceeded,asthatnoearthlythingbredsuch
wondertoaprinceastobeagoodhorsemanskillofgovernmentwasbutapedanteria2
incomparison.Thenwouldheaddcertainpraises,bytellingwhatapeerlessbeastthe
horsewas,theonlyserviceablecourtierwithoutflattery,thebeastofmostbeauty,
faithfulness,courage,andsuchmore,thatifIhadnotbeenapieceofalogicianbeforeI
cametohim,Ithinkhewouldhavepersuadedmetohavewishedmyselfahorse.But
thusmuchatleastwithhisnofewwordshedraveintome,thatselfloveisbetterthan
anygildingtomakethatseemgorgeouswhereinourselvesbeparties.
WhereinifPuglianosstrongaffectionandweakargumentswillnotsatisfyyou,Iwill
giveyouanearerexampleofmyself,who,Iknownotbywhatmischance,inthesemy
notoldyearsandidlesttimes,havingslippedintothetitleofapoet,amprovokedtosay
somethinguntoyouinthedefenseofthatmyunelectedvocation,whichifIhandlewith
moregoodwillthangoodreasons,bearwithme,sincethescholaristobepardonedthat
followeththestepsofhismaster.AndyetImustsaythat,asIhavejustcausetomakea
pitifuldefenseofpoorpoetry,whichfromalmostthehighestestimationoflearningis
fallentobethelaughingstockofchildren,sohaveIneedtobringsomemoreavailable
proofs,sincetheformerisbynomanbarredofhisdeservedcredit,thesilly3latterhath
hadeventhenamesofphilosophersusedtothedefacingofit,withgreatdangerofcivil
waramongtheMuses.
Andfirst,truly,toallthemthat,professinglearning,inveighagainstpoetry,mayjustly
beobjectedthattheygoveryneartoungratefulness,toseektodefacethatwhich,inthe
noblestnationsandlanguagesthatareknown,hathbeenthefirstlightgivertoignorance,
andfirstnurse,whosemilkbylittleandlittleenabledthemtofeedafterwardsoftougher
knowledges.Andwilltheynowplaythehedgehog,that,beingreceivedintotheden,
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draveouthishost?Orratherthevipers,thatwiththeirbirthkilltheirparents?Letlearned
GreeceinanyofhermanifoldsciencesbeabletoshowmeonebookbeforeMusus,
Homer,andHesiod,allthreenothingelsebutpoets.Nay,letanyhistorybebroughtthat
cansayanywritersweretherebeforethem,iftheywerenotmenofthesameskill,as
Orpheus,Linus,andsomeotherarenamed,who,havingbeenthefirstofthatcountry
thatmadepensdeliveroftheirknowledgetotheirposterity,mayjustlychallengetobe
calledtheirfathersinlearning.Fornotonlyintimetheyhadthispriorityalthoughin
itselfantiquitybevenerablebutwentbeforethemascauses,todrawwiththeir
charmingsweetnessthewilduntamedwitstoanadmirationofknowledge.Soas
AmphionwassaidtomovestoneswithhispoetrytobuildThebes,andOrpheustobe
listenedtobybeasts,indeedstonyandbeastlypeople.SoamongtheRomanswere
LiviusAndronicusandEnniussointheItalianlanguagethefirstthatmadeitaspireto
beatreasurehouseofsciencewerethepoetsDante,Boccace,andPetrarchsoinour
EnglishwereGowerandChaucer,afterwhom,encouragedanddelightedwiththeir
excellentforegoing,othershavefollowedtobeautifyourmothertongue,aswellinthe
samekindasinotherarts.
Thisdidsonotablyshowitself,thatthephilosophersofGreecedurstnotalongtime
appeartotheworldbutunderthemasksofpoets.SoThales,Empedocles,and
ParmenidessangtheirnaturalphilosophyinversessodidPythagorasandPhocylides
theirmoralcounselssodidTyrtusinwarmatters,andSoloninmattersofpolicyor
ratherthey,beingpoets,didexercisetheirdelightfulveininthosepointsofhighest
knowledgewhichbeforethemlayhiddentotheworld.ForthatwiseSolonwasdirectlya
poetitismanifest,havingwritteninversethenotablefableoftheAtlanticIslandwhich
wascontinuedbyPlato.AndtrulyevenPlatowhosoeverwellconsidereth,shallfindthat
inthebodyofhisworkthoughtheinsideandstrengthwerephilosophy,theskinasit
wereandbeautydependedmostofpoetry.Forallstandethupondialogueswhereinhe
feignethmanyhonestburgessesofAthenstospeakofsuchmattersthat,iftheyhadbeen
setontherack,theywouldneverhaveconfessedthembesideshispoeticaldescribing
thecircumstancesoftheirmeetings,asthewellorderingofabanquet,thedelicacyofa
walk,withinterlacingmeretales,asGygesRingandothers,whichwhoknowethnotto
beflowersofpoetrydidneverwalkintoApollosgarden.
Andevenhistoriographers,althoughtheirlipssoundofthingsdone,andveritybe
writtenintheirforeheads,havebeengladtoborrowbothfashionandperchanceweight
ofthepoets.SoHerodotusentitledhishistorybythenameofthenineMusesandboth
heandalltherestthatfollowedhimeitherstoleorusurpedofpoetrytheirpassionate
describingofpassions,themanyparticularitiesofbattleswhichnomancouldaffirm,or,
ifthatbedeniedme,longorationsputinthemouthsofgreatkingsandcaptains,whichit
iscertaintheyneverpronounced.

Sothattrulyneitherphilosophernorhistoriographercouldatthefirsthaveenteredinto
thegatesofpopularjudgments,iftheyhadnottakenagreatpassportofpoetry,whichin
allnationsatthisday,wherelearningflourishethnot,isplaintobeseeninallwhich
theyhavesomefeelingofpoetry.InTurkey,besidestheirlawgivingdivinestheyhaveno
otherwritersbutpoets.InourneighborcountryIreland,wheretrulylearninggoethvery
bare,yetaretheirpoetsheldinadevoutreverence.Evenamongthemostbarbarousand
simpleIndians,wherenowritingis,yethavetheytheirpoets,whomakeandsingsongs
(whichtheycallareytos),bothoftheirancestorsdeedsandpraisesoftheirgods,a
sufficientprobabilitythat,ifeverlearningcomeamongthem,itmustbebyhavingtheir
harddullwitssoftenedandsharpenedwiththesweetdelightsofpoetryforuntilthey
findapleasureintheexerciseofthemind,greatpromisesofmuchknowledgewilllittle
persuadethemthatknownotthefruitsofknowledge.InWales,thetrueremnantofthe
ancientBritons,astherearegoodauthoritiestoshowthelongtimetheyhadpoetswhich
theycalledbards,sothroughalltheconquestsofRomans,Saxons,Danes,andNormans,
someofwhomdidseektoruinallmemoryoflearningfromamongthem,yetdotheir
poetseventothisdaylastsoasitisnotmorenotableinsoonbeginning,thaninlong
continuing.

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ButsincetheauthorsofmostofoursciencesweretheRomans,andbeforethemthe
Greeks,letusalittlestandupontheirauthorities,buteven4sofarastoseewhatnames
theyhavegivenuntothisnowscornedskill.AmongtheRomansapoetwascalledvates,
whichisasmuchasadiviner,foreseer,orprophet,asbyhisconjoinedwords,vaticinium
andvaticinari,ismanifestsoheavenlyatitledidthatexcellentpeoplebestowuponthis
heartravishingknowledge.Andsofarweretheycarriedintotheadmirationthereof,that
theythoughtinthechanceablehittinguponanysuchversesgreatforetokensoftheir
followingfortuneswereplacedwhereupongrewthewordofSortesVirgilian,whenby
suddenopeningVirgilsbooktheylighteduponsomeverseofhismaking.Whereofthe
HistoriesoftheEmperorsLivesarefull:asofAlbinus,thegovernorofourisland,who
inhischildhoodmetwiththisverse,
Armaamenscapio,necsatrationisinarmis,
andinhisageperformedit.Althoughitwereaveryvainandgodlesssuperstition,asalso
itwastothinkthatspiritswerecommandedbysuchverseswhereuponthisword
charms,derivedofcarmina,comethsoyetservethittoshowthegreatreverencethose
witswereheldin,andaltogethernot5withoutground,sinceboththeoraclesofDelphos
andSibyllasprophecieswerewhollydeliveredinversesforthatsameexquisite
observingofnumberandmeasureinwords,andthathighflyinglibertyofconceit,6
propertothepoet,didseemtohavesomedivineforceinit.
AndmaynotIpresumealittlefurthertoshowthereasonablenessofthiswordvates,
andsaythattheholyDavidsPsalmsareadivinepoem?IfIdo,Ishallnotdoitwithout
thetestimonyofgreatlearnedmen,bothancientandmodern.Buteventhenameof
Psalmswillspeakforme,which,beinginterpreted,isnothingbutSongsthen,thatitis
fullywritteninmetre,asalllearnedHebriciansagree,althoughtherulesbenotyetfully
foundlastlyandprincipally,hishandlinghisprophecy,whichismerelypoetical.For
whatelseistheawakinghismusicalinstruments,theoftenandfreechangingofpersons,
hisnotableprosopopoeias,whenhemakethyou,asitwere,seeGodcominginHis
majesty,histellingofthebeastsjoyfulnessandhillsleaping,butaheavenlypoesy,
whereinalmostheshowethhimselfapassionateloverofthatunspeakableand
everlastingbeautytobeseenbytheeyesofthemind,onlyclearedbyfaith?Buttruly
nowhavingnamedhim,IfearIseemtoprofanethatholyname,applyingittopoetry,
whichisamongusthrowndowntosoridiculousanestimation.Buttheythatwithquiet
judgmentswilllookalittledeeperintoit,shallfindtheendandworkingofitsuchas,
beingrightlyapplied,deservethnottobescourgedoutofthechurchofGod.
ButnowletusseehowtheGreeksnameditandhowtheydeemedofit.TheGreeks
calledhim[Greek],whichnamehath,asthemostexcellent,gonethroughother
languages.Itcomethofthisword[Greek],whichistomakewhereinIknownot
whetherbyluckorwisdomweEnglishmenhavemetwiththeGreeksincallinghima
maker.Whichnamehowhighandincomparableatitleitis,Ihadratherwereknownby
markingthescopeofothersciencesthanbyanypartialallegation.Thereisnoart
delivereduntomankindthathathnottheworksofnatureforhisprincipalobject,without
whichtheycouldnotconsist,andonwhichtheysodependastheybecomeactorsand
players,asitwere,ofwhatnaturewillhavesetforth.Sodoththeastronomerlookupon
thestars,and,bythatheseeth,setdownwhatordernaturehathtakentherein.Sodothe
geometricianandarithmeticianintheirdiverssortsofquantities.Sodoththemusicianin
timestellyouwhichbynatureagree,whichnot.Thenaturalphilosopherthereonhathhis
name,andthemoralphilosopherstandethuponthenaturalvirtues,vices,andpassionsof
manandfollownature,saithhe,therein,andthoushaltnoterr.Thelawyersaith
whatmenhavedetermined,thehistorianwhatmenhavedone.Thegrammarianspeaketh
onlyoftherulesofspeech,andtherhetoricianandlogician,consideringwhatinnature
willsoonestproveandpersuade,thereongiveartificialrules,whichstillarecompassed
withinthecircleofaquestion,accordingtotheproposedmatter.Thephysicianweigheth
thenatureofmansbody,andthenatureofthingshelpfulorhurtfuluntoit.Andthe
metaphysic,thoughitbeinthesecondandabstractnotions,andthereforebecounted
supernatural,yetdothhe,indeed,builduponthedepthofnature.
Onlythepoet,disdainingtobetiedtoanysuchsubjection,liftedupwiththevigorof
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hisowninvention,dothgrow,ineffect,intoanothernature,inmakingthingseitherbetter
thannaturebringethforth,or,quiteanew,formssuchasneverwereinnature,asthe
heroes,demigods,cyclops,chimeras,furies,andsuchlikesoashegoethhandinhand
withnature,notenclosedwithinthenarrowwarrantofhergifts,butfreelyrangingwithin
thezodiacofhisownwit.Natureneversetforththeearthinsorichtapestryasdivers
poetshavedoneneitherwithpleasantrivers,fruitfultrees,sweetsmellingflowers,nor
whatsoeverelsemaymakethetoomuchlovedearthmorelovelyherworldisbrazen,
thepoetsonlydeliveragolden.
Butletthosethingsalone,andgotomanforwhomastheotherthingsare,soit
seemethinhimheruttermostcunningisemployedandknowwhethershehavebrought
forthsotruealoverasTheagenessoconstantafriendasPyladessovaliantamanas
OrlandosorightaprinceasXenophonsCyrussoexcellentamaneverywayasVirgils
neas?Neitherletthisbejestinglyconceived,becausetheworksoftheonebeessential,
theotherinimitationorfictionforanyunderstandingknoweththeskillofeachartificer
standethinthatidea,orforeconceitofthework,andnotintheworkitself.Andthatthe
poethaththatideaismanifest,bydeliveringthemforthinsuchexcellencyashehath
imaginedthem.Whichdeliveringforth,also,isnotwhollyimaginative,aswearewont
tosaybythemthatbuildcastlesintheairbutsofarsubstantiallyitworketh,notonlyto
makeaCyrus,whichhadbeenbutaparticularexcellency,asnaturemighthavedone,but
tobestowaCyrusupontheworldtomakemanyCyruses,iftheywilllearnarightwhy
andhowthatmakermadehim.Neitherletitbedeemedtoosaucyacomparisonto
balancethehighestpointofmanswitwiththeefficacyofnaturebutrathergiveright
honortotheHeavenlyMakerofthatmaker,who,havingmademantoHisownlikeness,
sethimbeyondandoveralltheworksofthatsecondnature.Whichinnothinghe
showethsomuchasinpoetry,whenwiththeforceofadivinebreathhebringeththings
forthfarsurpassingherdoings,withnosmallargumenttotheincredulousofthatfirst
accursedfallofAdam,sinceourerectedwitmakethusknowwhatperfectionis,and
yetourinfectedwillkeepethusfromreachinguntoit.Buttheseargumentswillbyfew
beunderstood,andbyfewergrantedthusmuchIhopewillbegivenme,thattheGreeks
withsomeprobabilityofreasongavehimthenameaboveallnamesoflearning.
Nowletusgotoamoreordinaryopeningofhim,thatthetruthmaybethemore
palpableandso,Ihope,thoughwegetnotsounmatchedapraiseastheetymologyof
hisnameswillgrant,yethisverydescription,whichnomanwilldeny,shallnotjustlybe
barredfromaprincipalcommendation.
Poesy,therefore,isanartofimitation,forsoAristotletermethitinhisword[Greek],
thatistosay,arepresenting,counterfeiting,orfiguringforthtospeakmetaphorically,a
speakingpicture,withthisend,toteachanddelight.
Ofthishavebeenthreegeneralkinds.Thechief,bothinantiquityandexcellency,were
theythatdidimitatetheinconceivableexcellenciesofGod.SuchwereDavidinhis
PsalmsSolomoninhisSongofSongs,inhisEcclesiastesandProverbsMosesand
DeborahintheirHymnsandthewriterofJobwhich,besideother,thelearnedEmanuel
TremelliusandFranciscusJuniusdoentitlethepoeticalpartoftheScripture.Against
thesenonewillspeakthathaththeHolyGhostindueholyreverence.Inthiskind,
thoughinafullwrongdivinity,wereOrpheus,Amphion,HomerinhisHymns,andmany
other,bothGreeksandRomans.Andthispoesymustbeusedbywhosoeverwillfollow
St.JamescounselinsingingpsalmswhentheyaremerryandIknowisusedwiththe
fruitofcomfortbysome,when,insorrowfulpangsoftheirdeathbringingsins,theyfind
theconsolationoftheneverleavinggoodness.
Thesecondkindisofthemthatdealwithmattersphilosophical,eithermoral,as
Tyrtus,Phocylides,andCatoornatural,asLucretiusandVirgilsGeorgicsor
astronomical,asManiliusandPontanusorhistorical,asLucanwhichwhomislike,the
faultisintheirjudgmentquiteoutoftaste,andnotinthesweetfoodofsweetlyuttered
knowledge.
Butbecausethissecondsortiswrappedwithinthefoldoftheproposedsubject,and
takesnotthefreecourseofhisowninvention,whethertheyproperlybepoetsornolet
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grammariansdispute,andgotothethird,indeedrightpoets,ofwhomchieflythis
questionariseth.Betwixtwhomandthesesecondissuchakindofdifferenceasbetwixt
themeanersortofpainters,whocounterfeitonlysuchfacesasaresetbeforethem,and
themoreexcellent,whohavingnolawbutwit,bestowthatincolorsuponyouwhichis
fittestfortheeyetosee,astheconstantthoughlamentinglookofLucretia,whenshe
punishedinherselfanothersfaultwhereinhepaintethnotLucretia,whomheneversaw,
butpainteththeoutwardbeautyofsuchavirtue.Forthesethirdbetheywhichmost
properlydoimitatetoteachanddelightandtoimitateborrownothingofwhatis,hath
been,orshallbebutrange,onlyreinedwithlearneddiscretion,intothedivine
considerationofwhatmaybeandshouldbe.Thesebetheythat,asthefirstandmost
noblesortmayjustlybetermedvates,sothesearewaitedonintheexcellentest
languagesandbestunderstandingswiththeforedescribednameofpoets.Forthese,
indeed,domerelymaketoimitate,andimitatebothtodelightandteach,anddelightto
movementotakethatgoodnessinhand,whichwithoutdelighttheywouldflyasfroma
strangerandteachtomakethemknowthatgoodnesswhereuntotheyaremoved:
whichbeingthenoblestscopetowhicheveranylearningwasdirected,yetwantthere
notidletonguestobarkatthem.
Thesebesubdividedintosundrymorespecialdenominations.Themostnotablebethe
heroic,lyric,tragic,comic,satiric,iambic,elegiac,pastoral,andcertainothers,someof
thesebeingtermedaccordingtothemattertheydealwith,somebythesortofversethey
likedbesttowritein,forindeedthegreatestpartofpoetshaveapparelledtheirpoetical
inventionsinthatnumberouskindofwritingwhichiscalledverse.Indeedbut
apparelled,versebeingbutanornamentandnocausetopoetry,sincetherehavebeen
manymostexcellentpoetsthatneverversified,andnowswarmmanyversifiersthatneed
neveranswertothenameofpoets.ForXenophon,whodidimitatesoexcellentlyasto
giveuseffigiemjustiimperiitheportraitureofajustempireunderthenameofCyrus
(asCicerosaithofhim)madethereinanabsoluteheroicalpoemsodidHeliodorusin
hissugaredinventionofthatpictureofloveinTheagenesandCharicleaandyetboth
thesewroteinprose.WhichIspeaktoshowthatitisnotrimingandversingthatmaketh
apoetnomorethanalonggownmakethanadvocate,who,thoughhepleadedin
armor,shouldbeanadvocateandnosoldierbutitisthatfeigningnotableimagesof
virtues,vices,orwhatelse,withthatdelightfulteaching,whichmustbetheright
describingnotetoknowapoetby.Althoughindeedthesenateofpoetshathchosenverse
astheirfittestraiment,meaning,asinmattertheypassedallinall,soinmannertogo
beyondthemnotspeaking,tabletalkfashion,orlikemeninadream,wordsasthey
chanceablyfallfromthemouth,butpeizing7eachsyllableofeachwordbyjust
proportion,accordingtothedignityofthesubject.
Now,therefore,itshallnotbeamiss,firsttoweighthislattersortofpoetrybyhis
works,andthenbyhispartsandifinneitheroftheseanatomieshebecondemnable,I
hopeweshallobtainamorefavorablesentence.Thispurifyingofwit,thisenrichingof
memory,enablingofjudgment,andenlargingofconceit,whichcommonlywecall
learning,underwhatnamesoeveritcomeforthortowhatimmediateendsoeveritbe
directed,thefinalendistoleadanddrawustoashighaperfectionasourdegenerate
souls,madeworsebytheirclaylodgings,canbecapableof.This,accordingtothe
inclinationofman,bredmanyformedimpressions.Forsomethatthoughtthisfelicity
principallytobegottenbyknowledge,andnoknowledgetobesohighorheavenlyas
acquaintancewiththestars,gavethemselvestoastronomyothers,persuading
themselvestobedemigodsiftheyknewthecausesofthings,becamenaturaland
supernaturalphilosophers.Someanadmirabledelightdrewtomusic,andsomethe
certaintyofdemonstrationtothemathematicsbutall,oneandother,havingthisscope:
toknow,andbyknowledgetoliftupthemindfromthedungeonofthebodytothe
enjoyinghisowndivineessence.Butwhenbythebalanceofexperienceitwasfound
thattheastronomer,lookingtothestars,mightfallintoaditch,thattheinquiring
philosophermightbeblindinhimself,andthemathematicianmightdrawforthastraight
linewithacrookedheartthenlo!didproof,theoverrulerofopinions,makemanifest,
thatallthesearebutservingsciences,which,astheyhaveeachaprivateendin
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themselves,soyetaretheyalldirectedtothehighestendofthemistressknowledge,by
theGreekscalled[Greek],whichstands,asIthink,intheknowledgeofamansself,in
theethicandpoliticconsideration,withtheendofwelldoing,andnotofwellknowing
only:evenasthesaddlersnextendistomakeagoodsaddle,buthisfurtherendto
serveanoblerfaculty,whichishorsemanshipsothehorsemanstosoldieryandthe
soldiernotonlytohavetheskill,buttoperformthepracticeofasoldier.Sothatthe
endingendofallearthlylearningbeingvirtuousaction,thoseskillsthatmostserveto
bringforththathaveamostjusttitletobeprincesoveralltherestwherein,ifwecan
show,thepoetisworthytohaveitbeforeanyothercompetitors.
Amongwhomasprincipalchallengersstepforththemoralphilosopherswhom,me
thinketh,Iseecomingtowardmewithasullengravity,asthoughtheycouldnotabide
vicebydaylightrudelyclothed,fortowitnessoutwardlytheircontemptofoutward
thingswithbooksintheirhandsagainstglory,wheretotheysettheirnames
sophisticallyspeakingagainstsubtilityandangrywithanymaninwhomtheyseethe
foulfaultofanger.Thesemen,castinglargessastheygoofdefinitions,divisions,and
distinctions,withascornfulinterrogativedosoberlyaskwhetheritbepossibletofind
anypathsoreadytoleadamantovirtue,asthatwhichteachethwhatvirtueis,and
teachethitnotonlybydeliveringforthhisverybeing,hiscausesandeffects,butalsoby
makingknownhisenemy,vice,whichmustbedestroyed,andhiscumbersomeservant,
passion,whichmustbemasteredbyshowingthegeneralitiesthatcontainit,andthe
specialitiesthatarederivedfromitlastly,byplainsettingdownhowitextendethitself
outofthelimitsofamansownlittleworld,tothegovernmentoffamilies,and
maintainingofpublicsocieties?
Thehistorianscarcelygivethleisuretothemoralisttosaysomuch,butthathe,loaden
witholdmouseeatenrecords,authorizinghimselfforthemostpartuponotherhistories,
whosegreatestauthoritiesarebuiltuponthenotablefoundationofhearsayhavingmuch
adotoaccorddifferingwriters,andtopicktruthoutofpartialitybetteracquaintedwitha
thousandyearsagothanwiththepresentage,andyetbetterknowinghowthisworld
goeththanhowhisownwitrunnethcuriousforantiquitiesandinquisitiveofnovelties,a
wondertoyoungfolksandatyrantintabletalkdenieth,inagreatchafe,8thatanyman
forteachingofvirtueandvirtuousactionsiscomparabletohim.Iamtestistemporum,
luxveritatis,vitamemori,magistravit,nuntiavetustatis.9Thephilosopher,saithhe,
teachethadisputativevirtue,butIdoanactive.Hisvirtueisexcellentinthedangerless
AcademyofPlato,butmineshowethforthherhonorablefaceinthebattlesofMarathon,
Pharsalia,Poitiers,andAgincourt.Heteachethvirtuebycertainabstractconsiderations,
butIonlybidyoufollowthefootingofthemthathavegonebeforeyou.Oldaged
experiencegoethbeyondthefinewittedphilosopherbutIgivetheexperienceofmany
ages.Lastly,ifhemakethesongbook,Iputthelearnershandtotheluteandifhebethe
guide,Iamthelight.Thenwouldheallegeyouinnumerableexamples,confirming
storybystory,howmuchthewisestsenatorsandprinceshavebeendirectedbythecredit
ofhistory,asBrutus,AlphonsusofAragonandwhonot,ifneedbe?Atlengththelong
lineoftheirdisputationmaketh10apointinthis,thattheonegiveththeprecept,and
theothertheexample.
Nowwhomshallwefind,sincethequestionstandethforthehighestformintheschool
oflearning,tobemoderator?Truly,asmeseemeth,thepoetandifnotamoderator,even
themanthatoughttocarrythetitlefromthemboth,andmuchmorefromallother
servingsciences.Thereforecomparewethepoetwiththehistorianandwiththemoral
philosopherandifhegobeyondthemboth,nootherhumanskillcanmatchhim.Foras
forthedivine,withallreverenceitisevertobeexcepted,notonlyforhavinghisscope
asfarbeyondanyoftheseaseternityexceedethamoment,butevenforpassingeachof
theseinthemselves.Andforthelawyer,thoughJusbethedaughterofJustice,and
Justicethechiefofvirtues,yetbecauseheseekethtomakemengoodratherformidine
poen11thanvirtutisamore12or,tosayrighter,dothnotendeavourtomakemen
good,butthattheirevilhurtnotothershavingnocare,sohebeagoodcitizen,howbad
amanhebetherefore,asourwickednessmakethhimnecessary,andnecessitymaketh
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himhonorable,soishenotinthedeepesttruthtostandinrankwiththese,whoall
endeavortotakenaughtinessaway,andplantgoodnesseveninthesecretestcabinetof
oursouls.Andthesefourareallthatanywaydealinthatconsiderationofmens
manners,whichbeingthesupremeknowledge,theythatbestbreeditdeservethebest
commendation.
Thephilosopherthereforeandthehistorianaretheywhichwouldwinthegoal,theone
byprecept,theotherbyexamplebutbothnothavingboth,dobothhalt.Forthe
philosopher,settingdownwiththornyargumentsthebarerule,issohardofutterance
andsomistytobeconceived,thatonethathathnootherguidebuthimshallwadeinhim
tillhebeold,beforeheshallfindsufficientcausetobehonest.Forhisknowledge
standethsoupontheabstractandgeneralthathappyisthatmanwhomayunderstand
him,andmorehappythatcanapplywhathedothunderstand.Ontheotherside,the
historian,wantingtheprecept,issotied,nottowhatshouldbebuttowhatis,tothe
particulartruthofthings,andnottothegeneralreasonofthings,thathisexample
drawethnonecessaryconsequence,andthereforealessfruitfuldoctrine.
Nowdoththepeerlesspoetperformbothforwhatsoeverthephilosophersaithshould
bedone,hegivethaperfectpictureofitinsomeonebywhomhepresupposethitwas
done,soashecoupleththegeneralnotionwiththeparticularexample.Aperfectpicture,
Isayforheyieldethtothepowersofthemindanimageofthatwhereofthephilosopher
bestowethbutawordishdescription,whichdothneitherstrike,pierce,norpossessthe
sightofthesoulsomuchasthatotherdoth.Foras,inoutwardthings,toamanthathad
neverseenanelephantorarhinoceros,whoshouldtellhimmostexquisitelyalltheir
shapes,color,bigness,andparticularmarksorofagorgeouspalace,anarchitector,with
declaringthefullbeauties,mightwellmakethehearerabletorepeat,asitwerebyrote,
allhehadheard,yetshouldneversatisfyhisinwardconceitwithbeingwitnesstoitself
ofatruelively13knowledgebutthesameman,assoonashemightseethosebeasts
wellpainted,orthathousewellinmodel,shouldstraightwaysgrow,withoutneedofany
description,toajudicialcomprehendingofthemsonodoubtthephilosopher,withhis
learneddefinitions,beitofvirtuesorvices,mattersofpublicpolicyorprivate
government,replenisheththememorywithmanyinfalliblegroundsofwisdom,which
notwithstandingliedarkbeforetheimaginativeandjudgingpower,iftheybenot
illuminatedorfiguredforthbythespeakingpictureofpoesy.

22

23

Tullytakethmuchpains,andmanytimesnotwithoutpoeticalhelps,tomakeusknow
theforceloveofourcountryhathinus.LetusbuthearoldAnchisesspeakinginthe
midstofTroysflames,orseeUlysses,inthefulnessofallCalypsosdelights,bewailhis
absencefrombarrenandbeggarlyIthaca.Anger,theStoicssaid,wasashortmadness.
LetbutSophoclesbringyouAjaxonastage,killingandwhippingsheepandoxen,
thinkingthemthearmyofGreeks,withtheirchieftainsAgamemnonandMenelaus,and
tellmeifyouhavenotamorefamiliarinsightintoanger,thanfindingintheschoolmen
hisgenusanddifference.SeewhetherwisdomandtemperanceinUlyssesandDiomedes,
valorinAchilles,friendshipinNisusandEuryalus,eventoanignorantmancarrynotan
apparentshining.And,contrarily,theremorseofconscience,inOedipusthesoon
repentingprideofAgamemnontheselfdevouringcrueltyinhisfatherAtreusthe
violenceofambitioninthetwoThebanbrothersthesoursweetnessofrevengein
Medeaand,tofalllower,theTerentianGnathoandourChaucersPandarsoexpressed
thatwenowusetheirnamestosignifytheirtradesandfinally,allvirtues,vices,and
passionssointheirownnaturalstateslaidtotheview,thatweseemnottohearofthem,
butclearlytoseethroughthem.

24

Buteveninthemostexcellentdeterminationofgoodness,whatphilosopherscounsel
cansoreadilydirectaprince,asthefeignedCyrusinXenophon?Oravirtuousmanin
allfortunes,asneasinVirgil?Orawholecommonwealth,asthewayofSirThomas
MoresUtopia?Isaytheway,becausewhereSirThomasMoreerred,itwasthefaultof
theman,andnotofthepoetforthatwayofpatterningacommonwealthwasmost
absolute,thoughhe,perchance,hathnotsoabsolutelyperformedit.Forthequestionis,
whetherthefeignedimageofpoesy,ortheregularinstructionofphilosophy,haththe

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moreforceinteaching.Whereinifthephilosophershavemorerightlyshowed
themselvesphilosophersthanthepoetshaveattainedtothehightopoftheirprofession,
asintruth,
Mediocribusessepoetis
NonDii,nonhomines,nonconcesserecolumn,14
itis,Isayagain,notthefaultoftheart,butthatbyfewmenthatartcanbe
accomplished.
Certainly,evenourSaviourChristcouldaswellhavegiventhemoralcommonplacesof
uncharitablenessandhumblenessasthedivinenarrationofDivesandLazarusorof
disobedienceandmercy,asthatheavenlydiscourseofthelostchildandthegracious
fatherbutthathisthoroughsearchingwisdomknewtheestateofDivesburninginhell,
andofLazarusinAbrahamsbosom,wouldmoreconstantly,asitwere,inhabitboththe
memoryandjudgment.Truly,formyself,meseemsIseebeforemineeyesthelost
childsdisdainfulprodigality,turnedtoenvyaswinesdinnerwhichbythelearned
divinesarethoughtnothistoricalacts,butinstructingparables.
Forconclusion,Isaythephilosopherteacheth,butheteachethobscurely,soasthe
learnedonlycanunderstandhimthatistosay,heteacheththemthatarealreadytaught.
Butthepoetisthefoodforthetendereststomachsthepoetisindeedtherightpopular
philosopher.Whereofsopstalesgivegoodproofwhoseprettyallegories,stealing
undertheformaltalesofbeasts,makemany,morebeastlythanbeasts,begintohearthe
soundofvirtuefromthosedumbspeakers.

26

Butnowitmaybeallegedthatifthisimaginingofmattersbesofitfortheimagination,
thenmustthehistorianneedssurpass,whobringethyouimagesoftruematters,suchas
indeedweredone,andnotsuchasfantastically15orfalselymaybesuggestedtohave
beendone.Truly,Aristotlehimself,inhisDiscourseofPoesy,plainlydetermineththis
question,sayingthatpoetryis[Greek]and[Greek],thatistosay,itismorephilosophical
andmorestudiouslyseriousthanhistory.Hisreasonis,becausepoesydealethwith
[Greek],thatistosaywiththeuniversalconsideration,andthehistorywith[Greek],the
particular.

28

Now,saithhe,theuniversalweighswhatisfittobesaidordone,eitherinlikelihood
ornecessitywhichthepoesyconsiderethinhisimposednamesandtheparticularonly
markethwhetherAlcibiadesdid,orsuffered,thisorthat:thusfarAristotle.Which
reasonofhis,asallhis,ismostfullofreason.

29

For,indeed,ifthequestionwerewhetheritwerebettertohaveaparticularacttrulyor
falselysetdown,thereisnodoubtwhichistobechosen,nomorethanwhetheryouhad
ratherhaveVespasianspicturerightashewas,or,atthepainterspleasure,nothing
resembling.Butifthequestionbeforyourownuseandlearning,whetheritbebetterto
haveitsetdownasitshouldbeorasitwas,thencertainlyismoredoctrinable16the
feignedCyrusinXenophonthanthetrueCyrusinJustinandthefeignedneasinVirgil
thantherightneasinDaresPhrygiusastoaladythatdesiredtofashionher
countenancetothebestgrace,apaintershouldmorebenefithertoportraitamostsweet
face,writingCanidiauponit,thantopaintCanidiaasshewas,who,Horacesweareth,
wasfoulandillfavored.

30

Ifthepoetdohispartaright,hewillshowyouinTantalus,Atreus,andsuchlike,
nothingthatisnottobeshunnedinCyrus,neas,Ulysses,eachthingtobefollowed.
Wherethehistorian,boundtotellthingsasthingswere,cannotbeliberalwithouthe
willbepoeticalofaperfectpatternbut,asinAlexander,orScipiohimself,show
doings,sometobeliked,sometobemislikedandthenhowwillyoudiscernwhatto
followbutbyyourowndiscretion,whichyouhadwithoutreadingQuintusCurtius?And
whereasamanmaysay,thoughinuniversalconsiderationofdoctrinethepoetprevaileth,
yetthatthehistory,inhissayingsuchathingwasdone,dothwarrantamanmoreinthat
heshallfollow,theanswerismanifest:thatifhestanduponthatwas,asifheshould
argue,becauseitrainedyesterdaythereforeitshouldraintoday,thenindeedithath
someadvantagetoagrossconceit.Butifheknowanexampleonlyinformsa

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conjecturedlikelihood,andsogobyreason,thepoetdothsofarexceedhimasheisto
framehisexampletothatwhichismostreasonable,beitinwarlike,politic,orprivate
matterswherethehistorianinhisbarewashathmanytimesthatwhichwecallfortune
tooverrulethebestwisdom.Manytimeshemusttelleventswhereofhecanyieldno
causeorifhedo,itmustbepoetically.
For,thatafeignedexamplehathasmuchforcetoteachasatrueexampleforasforto
move,itisclear,sincethefeignedmaybetunedtothehighestkeyofpassionletus
takeoneexamplewhereinapoetandahistoriandoconcur.HerodotusandJustindoboth
testifythatZopyrus,kingDariusfaithfulservant,seeinghismasterlongresistedbythe
rebelliousBabylonians,feignedhimselfinextremedisgraceofhiskingforverifyingof
whichhecausedhisownnoseandearstobecutoff,andsoflyingtotheBabylonians,
wasreceived,andforhisknownvalorsofarcredited,thathedidfindmeanstodeliver
themovertoDarius.MuchlikematterdothLivyrecordofTarquiniusandhisson.
Xenophonexcellentlyfeignethsuchanotherstratagem,performedbyAbradatasin
Cyrusbehalf.NowwouldIfainknow,ifoccasionbepresenteduntoyoutoserveyour
princebysuchanhonestdissimulation,whydoyounotaswelllearnitofXenophons
fictionasoftheothersverity?and,truly,somuchthebetter,asyoushallsaveyournose
bythebargainforAbradatasdidnotcounterfeitsofar.

32

So,then,thebestofthehistorianissubjecttothepoetforwhatsoeveractionorfaction,
whatsoevercounsel,policy,orwarstratagemthehistorianisboundtorecite,thatmay
thepoet,ifhelist,withhisimitationmakehisown,beautifyingitbothforfurther
teachingandmoredelighting,asitpleasethhimhavingall,fromDantesHeaventohis
Hell,undertheauthorityofhispen.WhichifIbeaskedwhatpoetshavedone?soasI
mightwellnamesome,yetsayI,andsayagain,Ispeakoftheart,andnotoftheartificer.

33

Now,tothatwhichiscommonlyattributedtothepraiseofhistory,inrespectofthe
notablelearningisgottenbymarkingthesuccess,asthoughthereinamanshouldsee
virtueexaltedandvicepunished,trulythatcommendationispeculiartopoetryandfar
offfromhistory.For,indeed,poetryeversettethvirtuesooutinherbestcolors,making
Fortuneherwellwaitinghandmaid,thatonemustneedsbeenamoredofher.Wellmay
youseeUlyssesinastorm,andinotherhardplightsbuttheyarebutexercisesof
patienceandmagnanimity,tomakethemshinethemoreinthenearfollowingprosperity.
And,ofthecontrarypart,ifevilmencometothestage,theyevergooutasthetragedy
writeransweredtoonethatmislikedtheshowofsuchpersonssomanacledasthey
littleanimatefolkstofollowthem.Butthehistorian,beingcaptivedtothetruthofa
foolishworld,ismanytimesaterrorfromwelldoing,andanencouragementto
unbridledwickedness.ForseewenotvaliantMiltiadesrotinhisfetters?Thejust
PhocionandtheaccomplishedSocratesputtodeathliketraitors?ThecruelSeveruslive
prosperously?TheexcellentSeverusmiserablymurdered?SyllaandMariusdyingin
theirbeds?PompeyandCiceroslainthen,whentheywouldhavethoughtexilea
happiness?SeewenotvirtuousCatodriventokillhimself,andrebelCsarsoadvanced
thathisnameyet,aftersixteenhundredyears,lastethinthehighesthonor?Andmarkbut
evenCsarsownwordsoftheforenamedSyllawhointhatonlydidhonestly,toput
downhisdishonesttyrannyliterasnescivit:17asifwantoflearningcausedhimtodo
well.Hemeantitnotbypoetry,which,notcontentwithearthlyplagues,devisethnew
punishmentsinhellfortyrantsnoryetbyphilosophy,whichteachethoccidendos
esse18but,nodoubt,byskillinhistory,forthatindeedcanaffordyouCypselus,
Periander,Phalaris,Dionysius,andIknownothowmanymoreofthesamekennel,that
speedwellenoughintheirabominableinjusticeorusurpation.

34

Iconclude,therefore,thatheexcellethhistory,notonlyinfurnishingthemindwith
knowledge,butinsettingitforwardtothatwhichdeservethtobecalledandaccounted
goodwhichsettingforward,andmovingtowelldoing,indeedsetteththelaurelcrown
uponthepoetasvictorious,notonlyofthehistorian,butoverthephilosopher,
howsoeverinteachingitmaybequestionable.ForsupposeitbegrantedthatwhichI
supposewithgreatreasonmaybedeniedthatthephilosopher,inrespectofhis
methodicalproceeding,teachmoreperfectlythanthepoet,yetdoIthinkthatnomanis

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somuch[Greek]19astocomparethephilosopherinmovingwiththepoet.Andthat
movingisofahigherdegreethanteaching,itmaybythisappear,thatitiswellnighboth
thecauseandtheeffectofteachingforwhowillbetaught,ifhebenotmovedwith
desiretobetaught?AndwhatsomuchgooddoththatteachingbringforthIspeakstill
ofmoraldoctrineasthatitmovethonetodothatwhichitdothteach?For,asAristotle
saith,itis[Greek]20but[Greek]21mustbethefruitandhow[Greek]cannotbe,
withoutbeingmovedtopractise,itisnohardmattertoconsider.Thephilosopher
showethyoutheway,heinformethyouoftheparticularities,aswellofthetediousness
oftheway,asofthepleasantlodgingyoushallhavewhenyourjourneyisended,asof
themanybyturningsthatmaydivertyoufromyourwaybutthisistonomanbuttohim
thatwillreadhim,andreadhimwithattentive,studiouspainfulnesswhichconstant
desirewhosoeverhathinhim,hathalreadypassedhalfthehardnessoftheway,and
thereforeisbeholdingtothephilosopherbutfortheotherhalf.Nay,truly,learnedmen
havelearnedlythought,thatwhereoncereasonhathsomuchovermasteredpassionas
thatthemindhathafreedesiretodowell,theinwardlighteachmindhathinitselfisas
goodasaphilosophersbooksinceinnatureweknowitiswelltodowell,andwhatis
wellandwhatisevil,althoughnotinthewordsofartwhichphilosophersbestowupon
usforoutofnaturalconceitthephilosophersdrewit.Buttobemovedtodothatwhich
weknow,ortobemovedwithdesiretoknow,hocopus,hiclaborest.22
NowthereinofallsciencesIspeakstillofhuman,andaccordingtothehumanconceit
isourpoetthemonarch.Forhedothnotonlyshowtheway,butgivethsosweeta
prospectintothewayaswillenticeanymantoenterintoit.Nay,hedoth,asifyour
journeyshouldliethroughafairvineyard,attheveryfirstgiveyouaclusterofgrapes,
thatfullofthattasteyoumaylongtopassfurther.Hebeginnethnotwithobscure
definitions,whichmustblurthemargent23withinterpretations,andloadthememory
withdoubtfulness.Buthecomethtoyouwithwordssetindelightfulproportion,either
accompaniedwith,orpreparedfor,thewellenchantingskillofmusicandwithatale,
forsooth,hecomethuntoyou,withatalewhichholdethchildrenfromplay,andoldmen
fromthechimneycorner,and,pretendingnomore,dothintendthewinningofthemind
fromwickednesstovirtueevenasthechildisoftenbroughttotakemostwholesome
things,byhidingtheminsuchotherastohaveapleasanttaste,which,ifoneshould
begintotellthemthenatureofthealoesorrhubarbtheyshouldreceive,wouldsooner
taketheirphysicattheirearsthanattheirmouth.Soisitinmen,mostofwhichare
childishinthebestthings,tilltheybecradledintheirgraves,gladtheywillbetohear
thetalesofHercules,Achilles,Cyrus,neasand,hearingthem,mustneedshearthe
rightdescriptionofwisdom,valor,andjusticewhich,iftheyhadbeenbarely,thatisto
sayphilosophically,setout,theywouldsweartheybebroughttoschoolagain.
Thatimitationwhereofpoetryis,haththemostconveniencytonatureofallother
insomuchthat,asAristotlesaith,thosethingswhichinthemselvesarehorrible,ascruel
battles,unnaturalmonsters,aremadeinpoeticalimitationdelightful.Truly,Ihave
knownmen,thatevenwithreadingAmadisdeGaule,which,Godknoweth,wanteth
muchofaperfectpoesy,havefoundtheirheartsmovedtotheexerciseofcourtesy,
liberality,andespeciallycourage.WhoreadethneascarryingoldAnchisesonhisback,
thatwishethnotitwerehisfortunetoperformsoexcellentanact?Whomdonotthose
wordsofTurnusmove,thetaleofTurnushavingplantedhisimageintheimagination?
Fugientemhaecterravidebit?
Usqueadeonemorimiserumest?24
Wherethephilosophers,astheyscorntodelight,somusttheybecontentlittletomove
savingwranglingwhethervirtuebethechiefortheonlygood,whetherthecontemplative
ortheactivelifedoexcelwhichPlatoandBoethiuswellknew,andthereforemade
MistressPhilosophyveryoftenborrowthemaskingraimentofPoesy.Foreventhose
hardheartedevilmenwhothinkvirtueaschoolname,andknownoothergoodbut
indulgeregenio,25andthereforedespisetheaustereadmonitionsofthephilosopher,and
feelnottheinwardreasontheystandupon,yetwillbecontenttobedelighted,whichis
allthegoodfellowpoetseemethtopromiseandsostealtoseetheformofgoodness
whichseen,theycannotbutloveerethemselvesbeaware,asiftheytookamedicineof
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cherries.
Infiniteproofsofthestrangeeffectsofthispoeticalinventionmightbeallegedonly
twoshallserve,whicharesooftenrememberedasIthinkallmenknowthem.Theoneof
MeneniusAgrippa,who,whenthewholepeopleofRomehadresolutelydivided
themselvesfromthesenate,withapparentshowofutterruin,thoughhewere,forthat
time,anexcellentorator,camenotamongthemupontrusteitheroffigurativespeeches
orcunninginsinuations,andmuchlesswithfarfetchedmaximsofphilosophy,which,
especiallyiftheywerePlatonic,theymusthavelearnedgeometrybeforetheycouldwell
haveconceivedbut,forsooth,hebehaveshimselflikeahomelyandfamiliarpoet.He
telleththematale,thattherewasatimewhenallpartsofthebodymadeamutinous
conspiracyagainstthebelly,whichtheythoughtdevouredthefruitsofeachotherslabor
theyconcludedtheywouldletsounprofitableaspenderstarve.Intheend,tobeshort
forthetaleisnotorious,andasnotoriousthatitwasatalewithpunishingthebellythey
plaguedthemselves.This,appliedbyhim,wroughtsucheffectinthepeople,asInever
readthateverwordsbroughtforthbutthensosuddenandsogoodanalterationforupon
reasonableconditionsaperfectreconcilementensued.

38

TheotherisofNathantheprophet,who,whentheholyDavidhadsofarforsakenGod
astoconfirmadulterywithmurder,whenhewastodothetenderestofficeofafriend,in
layinghisownshamebeforehiseyes,sentbyGodtocallagainsochosenaservant,
howdothheitbutbytellingofamanwhosebelovedlambwasungratefullytakenfrom
hisbosom?Theapplicationmostdivinelytrue,butthediscourseitselffeignedwhich
madeDavid(Ispeakofthesecondandinstrumentalcause)asinaglasstoseehisown
filthiness,asthatheavenlyPsalmofMercywelltestifieth.

39

Bythese,therefore,examplesandreasons,Ithinkitmaybemanifestthatthepoet,with
thatsamehandofdelight,dothdrawthemindmoreeffectuallythananyotherartdoth.
Andsoaconclusionnotunfitlyensueth:thatasvirtueisthemostexcellentrestingplace
forallwordlylearningtomakehisendof,sopoetry,beingthemostfamiliartoteachit,
andmostprincelytomovetowardsit,inthemostexcellentworkisthemostexcellent
workman.

40

ButIamcontentnotonlytodecipherhimbyhisworksalthoughworksin
commendationordispraisemusteverholdahighauthoritybutmorenarrowlywill
examinehispartssothat,asinaman,thoughalltogethermaycarryapresencefullof
majestyandbeauty,perchanceinsomeonedefectiouspiecewemayfindablemish.
Nowinhisparts,kinds,orspecies,asyoulisttotermthem,itistobenotedthatsome
poesieshavecoupledtogethertwoorthreekinds,astragicalandcomical,whereuponis
risenthetragicomicalsome,inthelikemanner,havemingledproseandverse,as
SannazzaroandBoethiussomehavemingledmattersheroicalandpastoralbutthat
comethalltooneinthisquestion,for,ifseveredtheybegood,theconjunctioncannotbe
hurtful.Therefore,perchanceforgettingsome,andleavingsomeasneedlesstobe
remembered,itshallnotbeamissinawordtocitethespecialkinds,toseewhatfaults
maybefoundintherightuseofthem.

41

Isitthenthepastoralpoemwhichismisliked?forperchancewherethehedgeis
lowesttheywillsoonestleapover.Isthepoorpipedisdained,whichsometimesoutof
Meliboeusmouthcanshowthemiseryofpeopleunderhardlordsandravening
soldiers,andagain,byTityrus,whatblessednessisderivedtothemthatlielowestfrom
thegoodnessofthemthatsithighest?sometimes,undertheprettytalesofwolvesand
sheep,canincludethewholeconsiderationsofwrongdoingandpatiencesometimes
showthatcontentionfortriflescangetbutatriflingvictorywhereperchanceamanmay
seethatevenAlexanderandDarius,whentheystravewhoshouldbecockofthisworlds
dunghill,thebenefittheygotwasthattheafterliversmaysay:
HcmeminietvictumfrustracontendereThyrsim
ExilloCorydon,Corydonesttemporenobis.26

43

Orisitthelamentingelegiac,whichinakindheartwouldmoveratherpitythanblame
whobewaileth,withthegreatphilosopherHeraclitus,theweaknessofmankindandthe

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wretchednessoftheworldwhosurelyistobepraised,eitherforcompassionate
accompanyingjustcausesoflamentation,orforrightlypaintingouthowweakbethe
passionsofwofulness?
Isitthebitterandwholesomeiambic,whorubsthegalledmind,inmakingshamethe
trumpetofvillainywithboldandopencryingoutagainstnaughtiness?

45

Orthesatiric?who
Omnevafervitiumridentitangitamico27
whosportinglyneverleavethtillhemakeamanlaughatfolly,andatlengthashamedto
laughathimself,whichhecannotavoidwithoutavoidingthefollywho,whilecircum
prcordialudit,28givethustofeelhowmanyheadachesapassionatelifebringethusto,
how,whenallisdone,
EstUlubris,animussinosnondeficitquus.29

46

No,perchanceitisthecomicwhomnaughtyplaymakersandstagekeepershave
justlymadeodious.TotheargumentofabuseIwillanswerafter.Onlythusmuchnowis
tobesaid,thatthecomedyinanimitationofthecommonerrorsofourlife,whichhe
representethinthemostridiculousandscornfulsortthatmaybe,soasitisimpossible
thatanybeholdercanbecontenttobesuchaone.Now,asingeometrytheobliquemust
beknownaswellastheright,andinarithmetictheoddaswellastheevensointhe
actionsofourlifewhoseethnotthefilthinessofevil,wantethagreatfoiltoperceivethe
beautyofvirtue.Thisdoththecomedyhandleso,inourprivateanddomesticalmatters,
aswithhearingitweget,asitwere,anexperiencewhatistobelookedforofaniggardly
Demea,ofacraftyDavus,ofaflatteringGnatho,ofavaingloriousThrasoandnotonly
toknowwhateffectsaretobeexpected,buttoknowwhobesuch,bythesignifying
badgegiventhembythecomedian.Andlittlereasonhathanymantosaythatmenlearn
evilbyseeingitsosetoutsince,asIsaidbefore,thereisnomanliving,butbytheforce
truthhathinnature,nosoonerseeththesemenplaytheirparts,butwisheththemin
pistrinum,30althoughperchancethesackofhisownfaultsliesobehindhisback,that
heseethnothimselftodancethesamemeasure,wheretoyetnothingcanmoreopenhis
eyesthantofindhisownactionscontemptiblysetforth.

47

Sothattherightuseofcomedywill,Ithink,bynobodybeblamed,andmuchlessofthe
highandexcellenttragedy,thatopeneththegreatestwounds,andshowethforththe
ulcersthatarecoveredwithtissuethatmakethkingsfeartobetyrants,andtyrants
manifesttheirtyrannicalhumorsthatwithstirringtheeffectsofadmirationand
commiserationteacheththeuncertaintyofthisworld,anduponhowweakfoundations
gildenroofsarebuildedthatmakethusknow:
Quisceptrasvusduroimperioregit,
Timettimentes,metusinauctoremredit.31
Buthowmuchitcanmove,Plutarchyieldethanotabletestimonyoftheabominable
tyrantAlexanderPherusfromwhoseeyesatragedy,wellmadeandrepresented,drew
abundanceoftears,whowithoutallpityhadmurderedinfinitenumbers,andsomeofhis
ownbloodsoashethatwasnotashamedtomakemattersfortragedies,yetcouldnot
resistthesweetviolenceofatragedy.Andifitwroughtnofurthergoodinhim,itwas
thathe,indespiteofhimself,withdrewhimselffromhearkeningtothatwhichmight
mollifyhishardenedheart.Butitisnotthetragedytheydomislike,foritweretoo
absurdtocastoutsoexcellentarepresentationofwhatsoeverismostworthytobe
learned.

48

Isitthelyricthatmostdispleaseth,whowithhistunedlyreandwellaccordedvoice,
givethpraise,therewardofvirtue,tovirtuousactswhogivethmoralpreceptsand
naturalproblemswhosometimesraisethuphisvoicetotheheightoftheheavens,in
singingthelaudsoftheimmortalGod?CertainlyImustconfessmineown
barbarousnessIneverheardtheoldsongofPercyandDouglasthatIfoundnotmyheart
movedmorethanwithatrumpetandyetitissungbutbysomeblindcrowder,withno
roughervoicethanrudestylewhichbeingsoevilapparelledinthedustandcobwebsof
thatuncivilage,whatwoulditwork,trimmedinthegorgeouseloquenceofPindar?In

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HungaryIhaveseenitthemannerofallfeasts,andothersuchmeetings,tohavesongsof
theirancestorsvalor,whichthatrightsoldierlikenationthinkthechiefestkindlersof
bravecourage.TheincomparableLacedmoniansdidnotonlycarrythatkindofmusic
everwiththemtothefield,butevenathome,assuchsongsweremade,soweretheyall
contenttobesingersofthemwhenthelustymenweretotellwhattheydid,theoldmen
whattheyhaddone,andtheyoungmenwhattheywoulddo.Andwhereamanmaysay
thatPindarmanytimespraisethhighlyvictoriesofsmallmoment,mattersratherofsport
thanvirtueasitmaybeanswered,itwasthefaultofthepoet,andnotofthepoetry,so
indeedthechieffaultwasinthetimeandcustomoftheGreeks,whosetthosetoysatso
highapricethatPhilipofMacedonreckonedahorseracewonatOlympusamonghis
threefearfulfelicities.ButastheunimitablePindaroftendid,soisthatkindmost
capableandmostfittoawakethethoughtsfromthesleepofidleness,toembrace
honorableenterprises.
Therereststheheroical,whoseveryname,Ithink,shoulddauntallbackbiters.Forby
whatconceitcanatonguebedirectedtospeakevilofthatwhichdrawethwithitnoless
championsthanAchilles,Cyrus,neas,TurnusTydeus,Rinaldo?whodothnotonly
teachandmovetoatruth,butteachethandmovethtothemosthighandexcellenttruth
whomakethmagnanimityandjusticeshinethroughallmistyfearfulnessandfoggy
desireswho,ifthesayingofPlatoandTullybetrue,thatwhocouldseevirtuewouldbe
wonderfullyravishedwiththeloveofherbeauty,thismansettethherouttomakeher
morelovely,inherholidayapparel,totheeyeofanythatwilldeignnottodisdainuntil
theyunderstand.Butifanythingbealreadysaidinthedefenseofsweetpoetry,all
concurrethtothemaintainingtheheroical,whichisnotonlyakind,butthebestand
mostaccomplishedkindofpoetry.For,astheimageofeachactionstirrethand
instructeththemind,sotheloftyimageofsuchworthiesmostinflameththemindwith
desiretobeworthy,andinformswithcounselhowtobeworthy.Onlyletneasbeworn
inthetabletofyourmemory,howhegovernethhimselfintheruinofhiscountryinthe
preservinghisoldfather,andcarryingawayhisreligiousceremoniesinobeyingthe
godscommandmenttoleaveDido,thoughnotonlyallpassionatekindness,buteventhe
humanconsiderationofvirtuousgratefulness,wouldhavecravedotherofhimhowin
storms,howinsports,howinwar,howinpeace,howafugitive,howvictorious,how
besieged,howbesieging,howtostrangers,howtoallies,howtoenemies,howtohis
ownlastly,howinhisinwardself,andhowinhisoutwardgovernmentandIthink,ina
mindmostprejudicedwithaprejudicatinghumor,hewillbefoundinexcellencyfruitful,
yea,evenasHoracesaith,meliusChrysippoetCrantore.32ButtrulyIimagineif
fallethoutwiththesepoetwhippersaswithsomegoodwomenwhooftenaresick,butin
faiththeycannottellwhere.Sothenameofpoetryisodioustothem,butneitherhis
causenoreffects,neitherthesumthatcontainshimnortheparticularitiesdescending
fromhim,giveanyfasthandletotheircarpingdispraise.

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Since,then,poetryisofallhumanlearningsthemostancientandofmostfatherly
antiquity,asfromwhenceotherlearningshavetakentheirbeginningssinceitisso
universalthatnolearnednationdothdespiseit,norbarbarousnationiswithoutitsince
bothRomanandGreekgavedivinenamesuntoit,theoneofprophesying,theotherof
making,andthatindeedthatnameofmakingisfitforhim,consideringthatwhereas
otherartsretainthemselveswithintheirsubjects,andreceive,asitwere,theirbeingfrom
it,thepoetonlybringethhisownstuff,anddothnotlearnaconceitoutofamatter,but
makethmatterforaconceitsinceneitherhisdescriptionnorhisendcontainethanyevil,
thethingdescribedcannotbeevilsincehiseffectsbesogoodastoteachgoodness,and
delightthelearnersofitsincethereinnamelyinmoraldoctrine,thechiefofall
knowledgeshedothnotonlyfarpassthehistorian,butforinstructingiswellnigh
comparabletothephilosopher,andformovingleavethhimbehindhimsincetheHoly
Scripture,whereinthereisnouncleanness,hathwholepartsinitpoetical,andthateven
ourSaviourChristvouchsafedtousetheflowersofitsinceallhiskindsarenotonlyin
theirunitedforms,butintheirseveraldissectionsfullycommendableIthink,andthinkI
thinkrightly,thelaurelcrownappointedfortriumphantcaptainsdothworthily,ofall
otherlearnings,honorthepoetstriumph.

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Butbecausewehaveearsaswellastongues,andthatthelightestreasonsthatmaybe
willseemtoweighgreatly,ifnothingbeputinthecounterbalance,letushear,and,as
wellaswecan,ponder,whatobjectionsbemadeagainstthisart,whichmaybeworthy
eitherofyieldingoranswering.

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First,truly,Inotenotonlyinthese[Greek],poethaters,butinallthatkindofpeople
whoseekapraisebydispraisingothers,thattheydoprodigallyspendagreatmany
wanderingwordsinquipsandscoffs,carpingandtauntingateachthingwhich,by
stirringthespleen,maystaythebrainfromathroughbeholdingtheworthinessofthe
subject.Thosekindofobjections,astheyarefullofaveryidleeasinesssincethereis
nothingofsosacredamajestybutthatanitchingtonguemayrubitselfuponitso
deservetheynootheranswer,but,insteadoflaughingatthejest,tolaughatthejester.
Weknowaplayingwitcanpraisethediscretionofanass,thecomfortablenessofbeing
indebt,andthejollycommodityofbeingsickoftheplague.Soofthecontraryside,if
wewillturnOvidsverse,
Utlateatvirtusproximitatemali,
thatgoodliehidinnearnessoftheevil,Agrippawillbeasmerryinshowingthevanity
ofscience,asErasmuswasincommendingoffollyneithershallanymanormatter
escapesometouchofthesesmilingrailers.ButforErasmusandAgrippa,theyhad
anotherfoundationthanthesuperficialpartwouldpromise.Marry,theseotherpleasant
faultfinders,whowillcorrecttheverbbeforetheyunderstandthenoun,andconfute
othersknowledgebeforetheyconfirmtheirown,Iwouldhavethemonlyrememberthat
scoffingcomethnotofwisdomsoasthebesttitleintrueEnglishtheygetwiththeir
merrimentsistobecalledgoodfools,forsohaveourgraveforefathersevertermed
thathumorouskindofjesters.
Butthatwhichgivethgreatestscopetotheirscorninghumorisrimingandversing.Itis
alreadysaid,andasIthinktrulysaid,itisnotrimingandversingthatmakethpoesy.One
maybeapoetwithoutversing,andaversifierwithoutpoetry.Butyetpresupposeitwere
inseparableasindeeditseemethScaligerjudgethtrulyitwereaninseparable
commendation.Foriforationexttoratio,speechnexttoreason,bethegreatestgift
bestoweduponmortality,thatcannotbepraiselesswhichdothmostpolishthatblessing
ofspeechwhichconsideretheachword,notonlyasamanmaysaybyhisforcible
quality,butbyhisbestmeasuredquantitycarryingeveninthemselvesaharmony,
without,perchance,number,measure,order,proportionbeinourtimegrownodious.

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Butlayasidethejustpraiseithathbybeingtheonlyfitspeechformusicmusic,Isay,
themostdivinestrikerofthesensesthusmuchisundoubtedlytrue,thatifreadingbe
foolishwithoutremembering,memorybeingtheonlytreasurerofknowledge,those
wordswhicharefittestformemoryarelikewisemostconvenientforknowledge.Now
thatversefarexceedethproseintheknittingupofthememory,thereasonismanifest
thewords,besidestheirdelight,whichhathagreataffinitytomemory,beingsoset,as
onecannotbelostbutthewholeworkfailswhich,accusingitself,calleththe
remembrancebacktoitself,andsomoststronglyconfirmethit.Besides,onewordso,as
itwere,begettinganother,as,beitinrimeormeasuredverse,bytheformeramanshall
haveanearguesstothefollower.Lastly,eventheythathavetaughttheartofmemory
haveshowednothingsoaptforitasacertainroomdividedintomanyplaces,welland
thoroughlyknownnowthathaththeverseineffectperfectly,everywordhavinghis
naturalseat,whichseatmustneedsmakethewordremembered.Butwhatneedethmore
inathingsoknowntoallmen?Whoisitthateverwasascholarthatdothnotcarryaway
someversesofVirgil,Horace,orCato,whichinhisyouthhelearned,andeventohisold
ageservehimforhourlylessons?as:
Percontatoremfugito,namgarrulusidemest.33

Dumsibiquisqueplacet,credulaturbasumus.34

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Butthefitnessithathformemoryisnotablyprovedbyalldeliveryofarts,wherein,for
themostpart,fromgrammartologic,mathematic,physic,andtherest,theruleschiefly

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necessarytobeborneawayarecompiledinverses.Sothatversebeinginitselfsweetand
orderly,andbeingbestformemory,theonlyhandleofknowledge,itmustbeinjestthat
anymancanspeakagainstit.
NowthengowetothemostimportantimputationslaidtothepoorpoetsforaughtI
canyetlearntheyarethese.
First,thattherebeingmanyothermorefruitfulknowledges,amanmightbetterspend
histimeinthemthaninthis.

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Secondly,thatitisthemotheroflies.

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Thirdly,thatitisthenurseofabuse,infectinguswithmanypestilentdesires,witha
sirenssweetnessdrawingthemindtotheserpentstailofsinfulfancies,andherein
especiallycomediesgivethelargestfieldtoear,35asChaucersaithhow,bothinother
nationsandinours,beforepoetsdidsoftenus,wewerefullofcourage,giventomartial
exercises,thepillarsofmanlikeliberty,andnotlulledasleepinshadyidlenesswith
poetspastimes.
And,lastlyandchiefly,theycryoutwithanopenmouth,asiftheyhadovershotRobin
Hood,thatPlatobanishedthemoutofhisCommonwealth.Trulythisismuch,iftherebe
muchtruthinit.

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First,tothefirst,thatamanmightbetterspendhistimeisareasonindeedbutitdoth,
astheysay,butpetereprincipium.36Forifitbe,asIaffirm,thatnolearningissogood
asthatwhichteachethandmovethtovirtue,andthatnonecanbothteachandmove
theretosomuchaspoesy,thenistheconclusionmanifestthatinkandpapercannotbeto
amoreprofitablepurposeemployed.Andcertainly,thoughamanshouldgranttheirfirst
assumption,itshouldfollow,methinks,veryunwillingly,thatgoodisnotgoodbecause
betterisbetter.ButIstillandutterlydenythatthereissprungoutofearthamorefruitful
knowledge.

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Tothesecond,therefore,thattheyshouldbetheprincipalliars,Ianswerparadoxically,
buttruly,Ithinktruly,thatofallwritersunderthesunthepoetistheleastliarand
thoughhewould,asapoetcanscarcelybealiar.Theastronomer,withhiscousinthe
geometrician,canhardlyescapewhentheytakeuponthemtomeasuretheheightofthe
stars.Howoften,thinkyou,dothephysicianslie,whentheyaverthingsgoodfor
sicknesses,whichafterwardssendCharonagreatnumberofsoulsdrownedinapotion
beforetheycometohisferry?Andnolessoftherestwhichtakeuponthemtoaffirm.
Nowforthepoet,henothingaffirmeth,andthereforeneverlieth.For,asItakeit,tolieis
toaffirmthattobetruewhichisfalsesoastheotherartists,andespeciallythehistorian,
affirmingmanythings,can,inthecloudyknowledgeofmankind,hardlyescapefrom
manylies.Butthepoet,asIsaidbefore,neveraffirmeth.Thepoetnevermakethany
circlesaboutyourimagination,toconjureyoutobelievefortruewhathewriteth.He
citethnotauthoritiesofotherhistories,butevenforhisentrycalleththesweetMusesto
inspireintohimagoodinventionintroth,notlaboringtotellyouwhatisorisnot,but
whatshouldorshouldnotbe.Andthereforethoughherecountthingsnottrue,yet
becausehetelleththemnotfortrueheliethnotwithoutwewillsaythatNathanliedin
hisspeech,beforealleged,toDavidwhich,asawickedmandurstscarcesay,sothinkI
nonesosimplewouldsaythatsopliedinthetalesofhisbeastsforwhothinkeththat
sopwroteitforactuallytrue,werewellworthytohavehisnamechronicledamongthe
beastshewritethof.Whatchildistherethat,comingtoaplay,andseeingThebeswritten
ingreatlettersuponanolddoor,dothbelievethatitisThebes?Ifthenamancanarrive
atthatchildsage,toknowthatthepoetspersonsanddoingsarebutpictureswhat
shouldbe,andnotstorieswhathavebeen,theywillnevergivethelietothingsnot
affirmativelybutallegoricallyandfigurativelywritten.Andtherefore,asinhistory
lookingfortruth,theymaygoawayfullfraughtwithfalsehood,soinpoesylookingbut
forfiction,theyshallusethenarrationbutasanimaginativegroundplotofaprofitable
invention.Butheretoisrepliedthatthepoetsgivenamestomentheywriteof,which
arguethaconceitofanactualtruth,andso,notbeingtrue,provethafalsehood.Anddoth
thelawyerliethen,when,underthenamesofJohnoftheStile,andJohnoftheNokes,

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heputtethhiscase?Butthatiseasilyanswered:theirnamingofmenisbuttomaketheir
picturethemorelively,andnottobuildanyhistory.Paintingmen,theycannotleavemen
nameless.Weseewecannotplayatchessbutthatwemustgivenamestoourchessmen
andyet,methinks,hewereaverypartialchampionoftruththatwouldsayweliedfor
givingapieceofwoodthereverendtitleofabishop.ThepoetnamethCyrusandneas
nootherwaythantoshowwhatmenoftheirfames,fortunes,andestatesshoulddo.
Theirthirdis,howmuchitabusethmenswit,trainingittowantonsinfulnessand
lustfullove.Forindeedthatistheprincipal,ifnottheonly,abuseIcanhearalleged.
Theysaythecomediesratherteachthanreprehendamorousconceits.Theysaythelyric
islardedwithpassionatesonnets,theelegiacweepsthewantofhismistress,andthat
eventotheheroicalCupidhathambitiouslyclimbed.Alas!Love,Iwouldthoucouldstas
welldefendthyselfasthoucanstoffendothers!Iwouldthoseonwhomthoudostattend
couldeitherputtheeaway,oryieldgoodreasonwhytheykeepthee!Butgrantloveof
beautytobeabeastlyfault,althoughitbeveryhard,sinceonlyman,andnobeast,hath
thatgifttodiscernbeautygrantthatlovelynameofLovetodeserveallhateful
reproaches,althoughevensomeofmymastersthephilosophersspentagooddealof
theirlampoilinsettingforththeexcellencyofitgrant,Isay,whatsoevertheywillhave
grantedthatnotonlylove,butlust,butvanity,but,iftheylist,scurrilitypossessethmany
leavesofthepoetsbooksyetthinkIwhenthisisgranted,theywillfindtheirsentence
maywithgoodmannersputthelastwordsforemost,andnotsaythatpoetryabuseth
manswit,butthatmanswitabusethpoetry.ForIwillnotdeny,butthatmanswitmay
makepoesy,whichshouldbe[Greek],whichsomelearnedhavedefined,figuringforth
goodthings,tobe[Greek],whichdothcontrariwiseinfectthefancywithunworthy
objectsasthepainterthatshouldgivetotheeyeeithersomeexcellentperspective,or
somefinepicturefitforbuildingorfortification,orcontaininginitsomenotable
example,asAbrahamsacrificinghissonIsaac,JudithkillingHolofernes,Davidfighting
withGoliath,mayleavethose,andpleaseanillpleasedeyewithwantonshowsofbetter
hiddenmatters.Butwhat!shalltheabuseofathingmaketherightuseodious?Nay,
truly,thoughIyieldthatpoesymaynotonlybeabused,butthatbeingabused,bythe
reasonofhissweetcharmingforce,itcandomorehurtthananyotherarmyofwords,yet
shallitbesofarfromconcludingthattheabuseshouldgivereproachtotheabused,that
contrariwiseitisagoodreason,thatwhatsoever,beingabused,dothmostharm,being
rightlyusedandupontherightuseeachthingreceivethhistitledothmostgood.Do
wenotseetheskillofphysic,thebestrampiretoouroftenassaultedbodies,being
abused,teachpoison,themostviolentdestroyer?Dothnotknowledgeoflaw,whoseend
istoevenandrightallthings,beingabused,growthecrookedfostererofhorrible
injuries?Dothnot,togointhehighest,Godswordabusedbreedheresy,andhisname
abusedbecomeblasphemy?Trulyaneedlecannotdomuchhurt,andastrulywith
leaveofladiesbeitspokenitcannotdomuchgood.Withaswordthoumaystkillthy
father,andwithaswordthoumaystdefendthyprinceandcountry.Sothat,asintheir
callingpoetsthefathersofliestheysaynothing,sointhistheirargumentofabusethey
provethecommendation.
Theyallegeherewith,thatbeforepoetsbegantobeinpriceournationhathsettheir
heartsdelightuponaction,andnotuponimaginationratherdoingthingsworthytobe
written,thanwritingthingsfittobedone.Whatthatbeforetimewas.Ithinkscarcely
Sphinxcantellsincenomemoryissoancientthathaththeprecedenceofpoetry.And
certainitisthat,inourplainesthomeliness,yetneverwastheAlbionnationwithout
poetry.Marry,thisargument,thoughitbelevelledagainstpoetry,yetisitindeeda
chainshotagainstalllearning,orbookishness,astheycommonlytermit.Ofsuchmind
werecertainGoths,ofwhomitiswrittenthat,havinginthespoilofafamouscitytaken
afairlibrary,onehangmanbelikefittoexecutethefruitsoftheirwitswhohad
murderedagreatnumberofbodies,wouldhavesetfireinit.No,saidanothervery
gravely,takeheedwhatyoudoforwhiletheyarebusyaboutthesetoys,weshallwith
moreleisureconquertheircountries.This,indeed,istheordinarydoctrineofignorance,
andmanywordssometimesIhaveheardspentinitbutbecausethisreasonisgenerally
againstalllearning,aswellaspoetry,orratheralllearningbutpoetrybecauseitwere
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toolargeadigressiontohandle,oratleasttoosuperfluous,sinceitismanifestthatall
governmentofactionistobegottenbyknowledge,andknowledgebestbygathering
manyknowledges,whichisreadingIonly,withHorace,tohimthatisofthatopinion
Jubeostultumesselibenter37
forasforpoetryitself,itisthefreestfromthisobjection,forpoetryisthecompanionof
thecamps.Idareundertake,OrlandoFuriosoorhonestKingArthurwillneverdisplease
asoldierbutthequiddityofens,andprimamateria,willhardlyagreewithacorselet.
Andtherefore,asIsaidinthebeginning,evenTurksandTartarsaredelightedwithpoets.
Homer,aGreek,flourishedbeforeGreeceflourishedandiftoaslightconjecturea
conjecturemaybeopposed,trulyitmayseem,thatasbyhimtheirlearnedmentook
almosttheirfirstlightofknowledge,sotheiractivemenreceivedtheirfirstmotionsof
courage.OnlyAlexandersexamplemayserve,whobyPlutarchisaccountedofsuch
virtue,thatFortunewasnothisguidebuthisfootstoolwhoseactsspeakforhim,though
Plutarchdidnotindeedthephoenixofwarlikeprinces.ThisAlexanderlefthis
schoolmaster,livingAristotle,behindhim,buttookdeadHomerwithhim.Heputthe
philosopherCallisthenestodeathforhisseemingphilosophical,indeedmutinous,
stubbornnessbutthechiefthinghewaseverheardtowishforwasthatHomerhadbeen
alive.HewellfoundhereceivedmorebraveryofmindbythepatternofAchilles,than
byhearingthedefinitionoffortitude.AndthereforeifCatomislikedFulviusforcarrying
Enniuswithhimtothefield,itmaybeansweredthatifCatomislikedit,thenoble
Fulviuslikedit,orelsehehadnotdoneit.ForitwasnottheexcellentCatoUticensis,
whoseauthorityIwouldmuchmorehavereverencedbutitwastheformer,intrutha
bitterpunisheroffaults,butelseamanthathadneversacrificedtotheGraces.He
mislikedandcriedoutuponallGreeklearningandyet,beingfourscoreyearsold,began
tolearnit,belikefearingthatPlutounderstoodnotLatin.Indeed,theRomanlaws
allowednopersontobecarriedtothewarsbuthethatwasinthesoldiersroll.And
thereforethoughCatomislikedhisunmusteredperson,hemislikednothiswork.Andif
hehad,ScipioNasica,judgedbycommonconsentthebestRoman,lovedhim.Boththe
otherScipiobrothers,whohadbytheirvirtuesnolesssurnamesthanofAsiaandAfric,
solovedhimthattheycausedhisbodytobeburiedintheirsepulchre.SoasCatos
authoritybeingbutagainsthisperson,andthatansweredwithsofargreaterthanhimself,
ishereinofnovalidity.
Butnow,indeed,myburthenisgreat,thatPlatosnameislaiduponme,whomImust
confess,ofallphilosophersIhaveeveresteemedmostworthyofreverenceandwith
greatreason,sinceofallphilosophersheisthemostpoeticalyetifhewilldefilethe
fountainoutofwhichhisflowingstreamshaveproceeded,letusboldlyexaminewith
whatreasonshedidit.
First,truly,amanmightmaliciouslyobjectthatPlato,beingaphilosopher,wasa
naturalenemyofpoets.For,indeed,afterthephilosophershadpickedoutofthesweet
mysteriesofpoetrytherightdiscerningtruepointsofknowledge,theyforthwith,putting
itinmethod,andmakingaschoolartofthatwhichthepoetsdidonlyteachbyadivine
delightfulness,beginningtospurnattheirguides,likeungratefulprenticeswerenot
contenttosetupshopsforthemselves,butsoughtbyallmeanstodiscredittheirmasters
whichbytheforceofdelightbeingbarredthem,thelesstheycouldoverthrowthemthe
moretheyhatedthem.For,indeed,theyfoundforHomersevencitiesstravewhoshould
havehimfortheircitizenwheremanycitiesbanishedphilosophers,asnotfitmembers
toliveamongthem.ForonlyrepeatingcertainofEuripidesverses,manyAthenianshad
theirlivessavedoftheSyracusans,wheretheAtheniansthemselvesthoughtmany
philosophersunworthytolive.CertainpoetsasSimonidesandPindar,hadsoprevailed
withHeirotheFirst,thatofatyranttheymadehimajustkingwherePlatocoulddoso
littlewithDionysius,thathehimselfofaphilosopherwasmadeaslave.Butwhoshould
dothus,Iconfess,shouldrequitetheobjectionsmadeagainstpoetswithlikecavillations
againstphilosophersaslikewiseoneshoulddothatshouldbidonereadPhdrusor
SymposiuminPlato,ortheDiscourseofLoveinPlutarch,andseewhetheranypoetdo
authorizeabominablefilthiness,astheydo.
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Again,amanmightaskoutofwhatcommonwealthPlatodothbanishthem.Insooth,
thencewherehehimselfallowethcommunityofwomen.Soasbelikethisbanishment
grewnotforeffeminatewantonness,sincelittleshouldpoeticalsonnetsbehurtfulwhena
manmighthavewhatwomanhelisted.ButIhonorphilosophicalinstructions,andbless
thewitswhichbredthem,soastheybenotabused,whichislikewisestretchedtopoetry.
SaintPaulhimself,whoyet,forthecreditofpoets,allegethtwicetwopoets,andoneof
thembythenameofaprophet,settethawatchworduponphilosophy,indeeduponthe
abuse.SodothPlatoupontheabuse,notuponpoetry.Platofoundfaultthatthepoetsof
histimefilledtheworldwithwrongopinionsofthegods,makinglighttalesofthat
unspottedessence,andthereforewouldnothavetheyouthdepravedwithsuchopinions.
Hereinmaymuchbesaidletthissuffice:thepoetsdidnotinducesuchopinions,butdid
imitatethoseopinionsalreadyinduced.ForalltheGreekstoriescanwelltestifythatthe
veryreligionofthattimestooduponmanyandmanyfashionedgodsnottaughtsoby
thepoets,butfollowedaccordingtotheirnatureofimitation.Wholistmayreadin
PlutarchthediscoursesofIsisandOsiris,oftheCausewhyOraclesceased,oftheDivine
Providence,andseewhetherthetheologyofthatnationstoodnotuponsuchdreams,
whichthepoetsindeedsuperstitiouslyobservedandtruly,sincetheyhadnotthelightof
Christ,didmuchbetterinitthanthephilosophers,who,shakingoffsuperstition,brought
inatheism.
Platotherefore,whoseauthorityIhadmuchratherjustlyconstruethanunjustlyresist,
meantnotingeneralofpoets,inthosewordsofwhichJuliusScaligersaith,Qua
authoritatebarbariquidamatquehispidi,abutivelintadpoetaserepublica
exigendos38butonlymeanttodriveoutthosewrongopinionsoftheDeity,whereof
now,withoutfurtherlaw,Christianityhathtakenawayallthehurtfulbelief,perchance,
ashethought,nourishedbythethenesteemedpoets.Andamanneedgonofurtherthan
toPlatohimselftoknowhismeaningwho,inhisdialoguecalledIon,givethhighand
rightlydivinecommendationuntopoetry.SoasPlato,banishingtheabuse,notthething,
notbanishingit,butgivingduehonoruntoit,shallbeourpatronandnotouradversary.
For,indeed,Ihadmuchrather,sincetrulyImaydoit,showtheirmistakingofPlato,
underwhoselionsskintheywouldmakeanasslikebrayingagainstpoesy,thango
abouttooverthrowhisauthoritywhom,thewiseramanis,themorejustcauseheshall
findtohaveinadmirationespeciallysinceheattributethuntopoesymorethanmyself
do,namelytobeaveryinspiringofadivineforce,farabovemanswit,asinthe
forenameddialogueisapparent.
Oftheotherside,whowouldshowthehonorshavebeenbythebestsortofjudgments
grantedthem,awholeseaofexampleswouldpresentthemselves:Alexanders,Csars,
Scipios,allfavorersofpoetsLlius,calledtheRomanSocrates,himselfapoet,soas
partofHeautontimoroumenosinTerencewassupposedtobemadebyhim.Andeventhe
GreekSocrates,whomApolloconfirmedtobetheonlywiseman,issaidtohavespent
partofhisoldtimeinputtingsopsFablesintoversesandthereforefullevilshouldit
becomehisscholar,Plato,toputsuchwordsinhismastersmouthagainstpoets.But
whatneedsmore?AristotlewritestheArtofPoesyandwhy,ifitshouldnotbewritten?
Plutarchteacheththeusetobegatheredofthemandhow,iftheyshouldnotberead?
AndwhoreadsPlutarchseitherhistoryorphilosophy,shallfindhetrimmethboththeir
garmentswithguards39ofpoesy.ButIlistnottodefendpoesywiththehelpofhis
underlinghistoriography.Letitsufficethatitisafitsoilforpraisetodwelluponand
whatdispraisemaysetuponit,iseithereasilyovercome,ortransformedintojust
commendation.

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Sothatsincetheexcellenciesofitmaybesoeasilyandsojustlyconfirmed,andthe
lowcreepingobjectionssosoontroddendown:itnotbeinganartoflies,butoftrue
doctrinenotofeffeminateness,butofnotablestirringofcouragenotofabusingmans
wit,butofstrengtheningmanswitnotbanished,buthonoredbyPlatoletusrather
plantmorelaurelsfortoengarlandourpoetsheadswhichhonorofbeinglaureate,as
besidesthemonlytriumphantcaptainswere,isasufficientauthoritytoshowtheprice
theyoughttobeheldinthansuffertheillsavoredbreathofsuchwrongspeakersonce

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toblowupontheclearspringsofpoesy.
ButsinceIhaverunsolongacareerinthismatter,methinks,beforeIgivemypena
fullstop,itshallbebutalittlemorelosttimetoinquirewhyEngland,themotherof
excellentminds,shouldbegrownsohardastepmothertopoetswhocertainlyinwit
oughttopassallothers,sinceallonlyproceedethfromtheirwit,beingindeedmakersof
themselves,nottakersofothers.HowcanIbutexclaim,
Musa,mihicausasmemora,quonuminelso?40
Sweetpoesy!thathathancientlyhadkings,emperors,senators,greatcaptains,suchas,
besidesathousandothers,David,Adrian,Sophocles,Germanicus,notonlytofavor
poets,buttobepoetsandofournearertimescanpresentforherpatronsaRobert,King
ofSicilythegreatKingFrancisofFranceKingJamesofScotlandsuchcardinalsas
BembusandBibbienasuchfamouspreachersandteachersasBezaandMelancthonso
learnedphilosophersasFracastoriusandScaligersogreatoratorsasPontanusand
MuretussopiercingwitsasGeorgeBuchanansogravecounsellorsasbesidesmany,
butbeforeallthatHospitalofFrance,thanwhom,Ithink,thatrealmneverbrought
forthamoreaccomplishedjudgementmorefirmlybuildeduponvirtueIsaythese,with
numbersofothers,notonlytoreadotherspoesiesbuttopoetizeforothersreading.
Thatpoesy,thusembracedinallotherplaces,shouldonlyfindinourtimeahard
welcomeinEngland,Ithinktheveryearthlamentethit,andthereforedeckethoursoil
withfewerlaurelsthanitwasaccustomed.ForheretoforepoetshaveinEnglandalso
flourishedand,whichistobenoted,eveninthosetimewhenthetrumpetofMarsdid
soundloudest.Andnowthatanoverfaintquietnessshouldseemtostrewthehousefor
poets,theyarealmostinasgoodreputationasthemountebanksatVenice.Trulyeven
that,asoftheonesideitgivethgreatpraisetopoesy,which,lieVenusbuttobetter
purposehathratherbetroubledinthenetwithMars,thanenjoythehomelyquietof
VulcansoservesitforapieceofareasonwhytheyarelessgratefultoidleEngland,
whichnowcanscarceendurethepainofapen.Uponthisnecessarilyfolloweth,that
basemenwithservilewitsundertakeit,whothinkitenoughiftheycanberewardedof
theprinter.AndsoasEpaminondasissaid,withthehonorofhisvirtuetohavemadean
office,byhisexercisingit,whichbeforewascontemptible,tobecomehighlyrespected
sothesemen,nomorebutsettingtheirnamestoit,bytheirowndisgracefulnessdisgrace
themostgracefulpoesy.Fornow,asifalltheMusesweregotwithchildtobringforth
bastardpoets,withoutanycommissiontheydopostoverthebanksofHelicon,tillthey
maketheirreadersmorewearythanposthorseswhile,inthemeantime,they,
QueismeliorelutofinxitprcordiaTitan,41
arebettercontenttosuppresstheoutflowingsoftheirwit,thanbypublishingthemtobe
accountedknightsofthesameorder.

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ButIthat,beforeeverIdustaspireuntothedignity,amadmittedintothecompanyof
thepaperblurrers,dofindtheverytruecauseofourwantingestimationiswantof
desert,takinguponustobepoetsindespiteofPallas.42Nowwhereinwewantdesert
wereathankworthylabortoexpressbutifIknew,Ishouldhavemendedmyself.Butas
Ineverdesiredthetitle,sohaveIneglectedthemeanstocomebyitonly,overmastered
bysomethoughts,Iyieldedaninkytributeuntothem.Marry,theythatdelightinpoesy
itselfshouldseektoknowwhattheydoandhowtheydoandespeciallylookthemselves
inanunflatteringglassofreason,iftheybeinclinableuntoit.Forpoesymustnotbe
drawnbytheears,itmustbegentlyled,orratheritmustleadwhichwaspartlythe
causethatmadetheancientlearnedaffirmitwasadivinegift,andnohumanskill,since
allotherknowledgesliereadyforanythathathstrengthofwit,apoetnoindustrycan
makeifhisowngeniusbenotcarriedintoit.Andthereforeisitanoldproverb:Orator
fit,poetanascitur.43YetconfessIalwaysthat,asthefertilestgroundmustbe
manured,44somustthehighestflyingwithaveaDdalustoguidehim.ThatDdalus,
theysay,bothinthisandinother,haththreewingstobearitselfupintotheairofdue
commendation:thatis,art,imitation,andexercise.Buttheseneitherartificialrulesnor
imitativepatterns,wemuchcumberourselveswithal.Exerciseindeedwedo,butthat
veryforebackwardly,forwhereweshouldexercisetoknow,weexerciseashaving
knownandsoisourbraindeliveredofmuchmatterwhichneverwasbegottenby

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knowledge.Fortherebeingtwoprincipalparts,mattertobeexpressedbywords,and
wordstoexpressthematter,inneitherweuseartorimitationrightly.Ourmatteris
quodlibetindeed,thoughwronglyperformingOvidsverse,
Quicquidconabardicere,versuserat45
nevermarshallingitintoanyassuredrank,thatalmostthereaderscannottellwhereto
findthemselves.
Chaucer,undoubtedly,didexcellentlyinhisTroilusandCressidaofwhom,truly,I
knownotwhethertomarvelmore,eitherthatheinthatmistytimecouldseesoclearly,
orthatweinthisclearagewalksostumblinglyafterhim.Yethadhegreatwants,fitto
beforgiveninsoreveredantiquity.IaccounttheMirrorofMagistratesmeetlyfurnished
ofbeautifulpartsandintheEarlofSurreyslyricsmanythingstastingofanoblebirth,
andworthyofanoblemind.TheShepherdsCalendarhathmuchpoetryinhiseclogues,
indeedworthythereading,ifIbenotdeceived.Thatsameframingofhisstyletoanold
rusticlanguageIdarenotallow,sinceneitherTheocritusinGreek,VirgilinLatin,nor
SannazzaroinItaliandidaffectit.Besidesthese,Idonotremembertohaveseenbutfew
(tospeakboldly)printed,thathavepoeticalsinewsinthem.Forproofwhereof,letbut
mostoftheversesbeputinprose,andthenaskthemeaning,anditwillbefoundthatone
versedidbutbegetanother,withoutorderingatthefirstwhatshouldbeatthelastwhich
becomesaconfusedmassofwords,withatinklingsoundofrime,barelyaccompanied
withreason.

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Ourtragediesandcomediesnotwithoutcausecriedoutagainst,observingrulesneither
ofhonestcivilitynorofskilfulpoetry,exceptingGorboduc,againIsayofthosethatI
haveseen.Whichnotwithstandingasitisfullofstatelyspeechesandwellsounding
phrases,climbingtotheheightofSenecasstyle,andasfullofnotablemorality,whichit
dothmostdelightfullyteach,andsoobtaintheveryendofpoesyyetintruthitisvery
defectiousinthecircumstances,whichgrievethme,becauseitmightnotremainasan
exactmodelofalltragedies.Foritisfaultybothinplaceandtime,thetwonecessary
companionsofallcorporalactions.Forwherethestageshouldalwaysrepresentbutone
place,andtheuttermosttimepresupposedinitshouldbe,bothbyAristotlespreceptand
commonreason,butonedaythereisbothmanydaysandmanyplacesinartificially
imagined.

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ButifitbesoinGorboduc,howmuchmoreinalltherest?whereyoushallhaveAsia
oftheoneside,andAfricoftheother,andsomanyotherunderkingdoms,thatthe
player,whenhecomethin,musteverbeginwithtellingwhereheis,orelsethetalewill
notbeconceived.Nowyeshallhavethreeladieswalktogatherflowers,andthenwe
mustbelievethestagetobeagarden.Byandbywehearnewsofshipwreckinthesame
place,andthenwearetoblameifweacceptitnotforarock.Uponthebackofthat
comesoutahideousmonsterwithfireandsmoke,andthenthemiserablebeholdersare
boundtotakeitforacave.Whileinthemeantimetwoarmiesflyin,representedwith
fourswordsandbucklers,andthenwhathardheartwillnotreceiveitforapitchedfield?

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Nowoftimetheyaremuchmoreliberal.Forordinaryitisthattwoyoungprincesfallin
loveaftermanytraversessheisgotwithchild,deliveredofafairboy,heislost,groweth
aman,fallethinlove,andisreadytogetanotherchild,andallthisintwohoursspace
whichhowabsurditisinsenseevensensemayimagine,andarthathtaught,andall
ancientexamplesjustified,andatthisdaytheordinaryplayersinItalywillnoterrin.Yet
willsomebringinanexampleofEunuchusinTerence,thatcontainethmatteroftwo
days,yetfarshortoftwentyyears.Trueitis,andsowasittobeplayedintwodays,and
sofittedtothetimeitsetforth.AndthoughPlautushaveinoneplacedoneamiss,letus
hitwithhim,andnotmisswithhim.Buttheywillsay,Howthenshallwesetfortha
storywhichcontainethbothmanyplacesandmanytimes?Anddotheynotknowthata
tragedyistiedtothelawsofpoesy,andnotofhistorynotboundtofollowthestory,but
havinglibertyeithertofeignaquitenewmatter,ortoframethehistorytothemost
tragicalconveniency?Again,manythingsmaybetoldwhichcannotbeshowed,ifthey
knowthedifferencebetwixtreportingandrepresenting.AsforexampleImayspeak,
thoughIamhere,ofPeru,andinspeechdigressfromthattothedescriptionofCalicut

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butinactionIcannotrepresentitwithoutPacoletshorse.Andsowasthemannerthe
ancientstook,bysomeNuntius46torecountthingsdoneinformertimeorotherplace.
Lastly,iftheywillrepresentahistory,theymustnot,asHoracesaith,beginabovo,47
buttheemustcometotheprincipalpointofthatoneactionwhichtheywillrepresent.By
examplethiswillbebestexpressed.IhaveastoryofyoungPolydorus,deliveredfor
safetyssake,withgreatriches,byhisfatherPriamustoPolymnestor,KingofThrace,in
theTrojanwartime.He,aftersomeyears,hearingtheoverthrowofPriamus,fortomake
thetreasurehisownmurdereththechildthebodyofthechildistakenupbyHecuba
she,thesameday,findethasleighttoberevengedmostcruellyofthetyrant.Wherenow
wouldoneofourtragedywritersbegin,butwiththedeliveryofthechild?Thenshould
hesailoverintoThrace,andsospendIknownothowmanyyears,andtravelnumbersof
places.ButwheredothEuripides?Evenwiththefindingofthebody,leavingtherestto
betoldbythespiritofPolydorus.Thisneedsnofurthertobeenlargedthedullestwit
mayconceiveit.

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But,besidesthesegrossabsurdities,howalltheirplaysbeneitherrighttragediesnor
rightcomedies,minglingkingsandclowns,notbecausethemattersocarriethit,but
thrustintheclownbyheadandshoulderstoplayapartinmajesticalmatters,with
neitherdecencynordiscretionsoasneithertheadmirationandcommiseration,northe
rightsportfulness,isbytheirmongreltragicomedyobtained.IknowApuleiusdid
somewhatso,butthatisathingrecountedwithspaceoftime,notrepresentedinone
momentandIknowtheancientshaveoneortwoexamplesoftragicomedies,asPlautus
hathAmphytrio.But,ifwemarkthemwell,weshallfindthattheynever,orvery
daintily,matchhornpipesandfunerals.Sofallethitoutthat,havingindeednoright
comedyinthatcomicalpartofourtragedy,wehavenothingbutscurrility,unworthyof
anychasteears,orsomeextremeshowofdoltishness,indeedfittoliftupaloudlaughter,
andnothingelsewherethewholetractofacomedyshouldbefullofdelight,asthe
tragedyshouldbestillmaintainedinawellraisedadmiration.

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Butourcomediansthinkthereisnodelightwithoutlaughter,whichisverywrongfor
thoughlaughtermaycomewithdelight,yetcomethitnotofdelight,asthoughdelight
shouldbethecauseoflaughterbutwellmayonethingbreedbothtogether.Nay,rather
inthemselvestheyhave,asitwere,akindofcontrariety.Fordelightwescarcelydo,but
inthingsthathaveaconveniencytoourselves,ortothegeneralnaturelaughteralmost
evercomethofthingsmostdisproportionedtoourselvesandnature.Delighthathajoyin
iteitherpermanentorpresentlaughterhathonlyascornfultickling.Forexample,weare
ravishedwithdelighttoseeafairwoman,andyetarefarfrombeingmovedtolaughter.
Welaughatdeformedcreatures,whereincertainlywecannotdelight.Wedelightingood
chances,welaughatmischances.Wedelighttohearthehappinessofourfriendsand
country,atwhichhewereworthytobelaughedatthatwouldlaugh.Weshall,contrarily,
laughsometimestofindamatterquitemistakenandgodownthehillagainstthebias,in
themouthofsomesuchmen,asfortherespectofthemoneshallbeheartilysorryhe
cannotchoosebutlaugh,andsoisratherpainedthandelightedwithlaughter.YetdenyI
notbutthattheymaygowelltogether.ForasinAlexanderspicturewellsetoutwe
delightwithoutlaughter,andintwentymadanticswelaughwithoutdelightsoin
Hercules,paintedwithhisgreatbeardandfuriouscountenance,inwomansattire,
spinningatOmphalescommandment,itbreedethbothdelightandlaughterforthe
representingofsostrangeapowerinlove,procurethdelight,andthescornfulnessofthe
actionstirrethlaughter.

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ButIspeaktothispurpose,thatalltheendofthecomicalpartbenotuponsuch
scornfulmattersasstirlaughteronly,butmixedwithitthatdelightfulteachingwhichis
theendofpoesy.Andthegreatfault,eveninthatpointoflaughter,andforbiddenplainly
byAristotle,isthattheystirlaughterinsinfulthings,whichareratherexecrablethan
ridiculousorinmiserable,whicharerathertobepitiedthanscorned.Forwhatisitto
makefolksgapeatawretchedbeggarorabeggarlyclown,or,againstlawofhospitality,
tojestatstrangersbecausetheyspeaknotEnglishsowellaswedo?whatdowelearn?
sinceitiscertain:

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Nilhabetinfelixpaupertasduriusinse,
Quamquodridiculoshominesfacit.48
ButratherabusylovingcourtieraheartlessthreateningThrasoaselfwiseseeming
schoolmasterawrytransformedtraveller:theseifwesawwalkinstagenames,which
weplaynaturally,thereinweredelightfullaughterandteachingdelightfulness,asinthe
other,thetragediesofBuchanandojustlybringforthadivineadmiration.
ButIhavelavishedouttoomanywordsofthisplaymatter.Idoit,becauseastheyare
excellingpartsofpoesy,soistherenonesomuchusedinEngland,andnonecanbemore
pitifullyabusedwhich,likeanunmannerlydaughter,showingabadeducation,causeth
hermotherPoesyshonestytobecalledinquestion.

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Othersortsofpoetryalmosthavewenone,butthatlyricalkindofsongsandsonnets,
which,Lordifhegaveussogoodminds,howwellitmightbeemployed,andwithhow
heavenlyfruitsbothprivateandpublic,insingingthepraisesoftheimmortalbeauty,the
immortalgoodnessofthatGodwhogivethushandstowrite,andwitstoconceive!of
whichwemightwellwantwords,butnevermatterofwhichwecouldturnoureyesto
nothing,butweshouldeverhavenewbuddingoccasions.

83

Buttruly,manyofsuchwritingsascomeunderthebannerofunresistiblelove,ifIwere
amistresswouldneverpersuademetheywereinlovesocoldlytheyapplyfiery
speeches,asmenthathadratherreadloverswritings,andsocaughtupcertainswelling
phraseswhichhangtogetherlikeamanwhichoncetoldmethewindwasatnorthwest
andbysouth,becausehewouldbesuretonamewindsenoughthanthatintruththey
feelthosepassions,whicheasily,asIthink,maybebewrayedbythatsameforcibleness,
orenergia(astheGreekscallit)ofthewriter.Butletthisbeasufficient,thoughshort
note,thatwemisstherightuseofthematerialpointofpoesy.

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Nowfortheoutsideofit,whichiswords,or(asImaytermit)diction,itisevenwell
worse,soisthathoneyflowingmatroneloquenceapparelledorratherdisguised,ina
courtesanlikepaintedaffectation:onetimewithsofarfet49words,thatmanyseem
monstersbutmustseemstrangerstoanypoorEnglishmananothertimewith
coursingofaletter,50asiftheywereboundtofollowthemethodofadictionary
anothertimewithfiguresandflowersextremelywinterstarved.

85

ButIwouldthisfaultwereonlypeculiartoversifiers,andhadnotaslargepossession
amongproseprinters,and,whichistobemarvelled,amongmanyscholars,and,whichis
tobepitied,amongsomepreachers.TrulyIcouldwishifatleastImightbesoboldto
wishinathingbeyondthereachofmycapacitythediligentimitatorsofTullyand
Demosthenes(mostworthytobeimitated)didnotsomuchkeepNizolianpaperbooksof
theirfiguresandphrases,asbyattentivetranslation,asitweredevourthemwhole,and
makethemwhollytheirs.Fornowtheycastsugarandspiceuponeverydishthatis
servedtothetablelikethoseIndians,notcontenttowearearringsatthefitandnatural
placeoftheears,buttheywillthrustjewelsthroughtheirnoseandlips,becausetheywill
besuretobefine.Tully,whenhewastodriveoutCatilineasitwerewithathunderbolt
ofeloquence,oftenusedthatfigureofrepetition,asVivit.Vivit?Immoveroetiamin
senatumvenit,51etc.Indeed,inflamedwithawellgroundedrage,hewouldhavehis
words,asitwere,doubleoutofhismouthandsodothatartificially,whichweseemen
incholerdonaturally.Andwe,havingnotedthegraceofthosewords,halethemin
sometimetoafamiliarepistle,whenitweretoomuchcholertobecholeric.Howwell
storeofsimilitercadences52dothsoundwiththegravityofthepulpit,Iwouldbut
invokeDemosthenessoultotell,whowithararedaintinessuseththem.Trulytheyhave
mademethinkofthesophisterthatwithtoomuchsubtilitywouldprovetwoeggsthree,
andthoughhemightbecountedasophister,hadnoneforhislabor.Sothesemen
bringinginsuchakindofeloquence,wellmaytheyobtainanopinionofaseeming
fineness,butpersuadefew,whichshouldbetheendoftheirfineness.
Nowforsimilitudesincertainprinteddiscourses,Ithinkallherbarists,allstoriesof
beasts,fowls,andfishesarerifledup,thattheymaycomeinmultitudestowaituponany
ofourconceits,whichcertainlyisasabsurdasurfeittotheearsasispossible.Forthe

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forceofasimilitudenotbeingtoproveanythingtoacontrarydisputer,butonlyto
explaintoawillinghearerwhenthatisdone,therestisamosttediousprattling,rather
overswayingthememoryfromthepurposewheretotheywereapplied,thenanywhit
informingthejudgment,alreadyeithersatisfiedofbysimilitudesnottobesatisfied.
Formypart,Idonotdoubt,whenAntoniusandCrassus,thegreatforefathersofCicero
ineloquence,theone(asCicerotestifiethofthem)pretendednottoknowart,theother
nottosetbyit,because53withaplainsensiblenesstheymightwincreditofpopular
ears,whichcreditistheneareststeptopersuasion,whichpersuasionisthechiefmarkof
oratory,Idonotdoubt,Isay,butthattheyusedtheseknacks,verysparinglywhich
whodothgenerallyuseanymanmayseedothdancetohisownmusic,andsobenoted
bytheaudiencemorecarefultospeakcuriouslythantruly.Undoubtedly(atleasttomy
opinionundoubtedly)Ihavefoundindiverssmalllearnedcourtiersamoresoundstyle
thaninsomeprofessorsoflearningofwhichIcanguessnoothercause,butthatthe
courtierfollowingthatwhichbypracticehefindethfittesttonature,therein,thoughhe
knowitnot,dothaccordingtoartthoughnotbyartwheretheother,usingarttoshow
artandnottohideartasinthesecasesheshoulddofliethfromnature,andindeed
abusethart.
Butwhat!methinksIdeservetobepoundedforstrayingfrompoetrytooratory.But
bothhavesuchanaffinityinthewordishconsideration,thatIthinkthisdigressionwill
makemymeaningreceivethefullerunderstanding:whichisnottotakeuponmeto
teachpoetshowtheyshoulddo,butonly,findingmyselfsickamongtherest,toshow
someoneortwospotsofthecommoninfectiongrownamongthemostpartofwriters
that,acknowledgingourselvessomewhatawry,wemaybendtotherightusebothof
matterandmanner:wheretoourlanguagegivethusgreatoccasion,being,indeed,
capableofanyexcellentexercisingofit.
Iknowsomewillsayitisamingledlanguage.Andwhynotsomuchthebetter,taking
thebestofboththeother?Anotherwillsayitwantethgrammar.Nay,truly,ithaththat
praisethatitwantethnotgrammar.Forgrammaritmighthave,butitneedsitnotbeing
soeasyinitself,andsovoidofthosecumbersomedifferencesofcases,genders,moods,
andtenses,which,Ithink,wasapieceoftheTowerofBabylonscurse,thataman
shouldbeputtoschooltolearnhismothertongue.Butfortheutteringsweetlyand
properlytheconceitsofthemind,whichistheendofspeech,thathathitequallywith
anyothertongueintheworldandisparticularlyhappyincompositionsoftwoorthree
wordstogether,neartheGreek,farbeyondtheLatin,whichisoneofthegreatest
beautiesthatcanbeinalanguage.
Nowofversifyingtherearetwosorts,theoneancient,theothermodern.Theancient
markedthequantityofeachsyllable,andaccordingtothatframedhisversethemodern
observingonlynumber,withsomeregardoftheaccent,thechieflifeofitstandethinthat
likesoundingofthewords,whichwecallrime.Whetherofthesebethemoreexcellent
wouldbearmanyspeechestheancientnodoubtmorefitformusic,bothwordsandtune
observingquantityandmorefitlivelytoexpressdiverspassions,bytheloworlofty
soundofthewellweighedsyllable.Thelatterlikewisewithhisrimestrikethacertain
musictotheearand,infine,sinceitdothdelight,thoughbyanotherway,itobtaineth
thesamepurposetherebeingineither,sweetness,andwantinginneither,majesty.Truly
theEnglish,beforeanyothervulgarlanguageIknow,isfitforbothsorts.For,forthe
ancient,theItalianissofullofvowelsthatitmusteverbecumberedwithelisionsthe
Dutchso,oftheotherside,withconsonants,thattheycannotyieldthesweetslidingfit
foraverse.TheFrenchinhiswholelanguagehathnotonewordthathathhisaccentin
thelastsyllablesavingtwo,calledantepenultima,andlittlemorehaththeSpanishand
thereforeverygracelesslymaytheyusedactyls.TheEnglishissubjecttononeofthese
defects.Nowforrime,54thoughwedonotobservequantity,yetweobservetheaccent
veryprecisely,whichotherlanguageseithercannotdo,orwillnotdosoabsolutely.That
csura,orbreathingplaceinthemidstoftheverse,neitherItaliannorSpanishhave,the
Frenchandweneveralmostfailof.
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Lastly,eventheveryrimeitselftheItaliancannotputinthelastsyllable,bytheFrench
namedthemasculinerime,butstillinthenexttothelast,whichtheFrenchcallthe
female,orthenextbeforethat,whichtheItalianstermsdrucciola.Theexampleofthe
formerisbuono:suonoofthesdrucciolaisfemina:semina.TheFrench,oftheother
side,hathboththemale,asbon:son,andthefemale,asplaise:taisebutthesdrucciola
hehathnot.WheretheEnglishhathallthree,asdue:true,father:rather,motion:potion
withmuchmorewhichmightbesaid,butthatalreadyIfindthetriflingnessofthis
discourseismuchtoomuchenlarged.

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Sothatsincetheeverpraiseworthypoesyisfullofvirtuebreedingdelightfulness,and
voidofnogiftthatoughttobeinthenoblenameoflearningsincetheblameslaid
againstitareeitherfalseorfeeblesincethecausewhyitisnotesteemedinEnglandis
thefaultofpoetapes,notpoetssince,lastly,ourtongueismostfittohonorpoesy,and
tobehonoredbypoesyIconjureyouallthathavehadtheevillucktoreadthisink
wastingtoyofmine,eveninthenameoftheNineMuses,nomoretoscornthesacred
mysteriesofpoesynomoretolaughatthenameofpoets,asthoughtheywerenext
inheritorstofoolsnomoretojestatthereverendtitleofarimerbuttobelieve,with
Aristotle,thattheyweretheancienttreasurersoftheGreciansdivinitytobelieve,with
Bembus,thattheywerefirstbringersinofallcivilitytobelieve,withScaliger,thatno
philosopherspreceptscansoonermakeyouanhonestmanthanthereadingofVirgilto
believe,withClauserus,thetranslatorofCornutus,thatitpleasedtheHeavenlyDeityby
HesiodandHomer,undertheveiloffables,togiveusallknowledge,logic,rhetoric,
philosophynaturalandmoral,andquidnon?tobelieve,withme,thattherearemany
mysteriescontainedinpoetrywhichofpurposewerewrittendarkly,lestbyprofanewits
itshouldbeabusedtobelieve,withLandino,thattheyaresobelovedofthegods,that
whatsoevertheywriteproceedsofadivinefurylastly,tobelievethemselves,whenthey
tellyoutheywillmakeyouimmortalbytheirverses.
Thusdoing,yournameshallflourishintheprintersshops.Thusdoing,youshallbeof
kintomanyapoeticalpreface.Thusdoing,youshallbemostfair,mostrich,mostwise,
mostallyoushalldwelluponsuperlatives.Thusdoing,thoughyoubelibertinopatre
natus,55youshallsuddenlygrowHerculeaproles,56
Siquidmeacarminapossunt.57
Thusdoing,yoursoulshallbeplacedwithDantesBeatriceorVirgilsAnchises.
Butiffieofsuchabut!youbebornsonearthedullmakingcataractofNilus,that
youcannotheartheplanetlikemusicofpoetryifyouhavesoearthcreepingamindthat
itcannotliftitselfuptolooktotheskyofpoetry,orrather,byacertainrusticaldisdain,
willbecomesuchamome,58astobeaMomusofpoetrythen,thoughIwillnotwish
untoyoutheassearsofMidas,nortobedrivenbyapoetsverses,asBubonaxwas,to
hanghimselfnortoberimedtodeath,asissaidtobedoneinIrelandyetthusmuch
curseImustsendyouinthebehalfofallpoets:thatwhileyouliveinlove,andnever
getfavorforlackingskillofasonnetandwhenyoudie,yourmemorydiefromtheearth
forwantofanepitaph.

93

94

95

Note1.MaximilianII.(15271576).[back]
Note2.Pieceofpedantry.[back]
Note3.Weak,poor.[back]
Note4.Only.[back]
Note5.Notaltogether.[back]
Note6.Invention.[back]
Note7.Weighing.[back]
Note8.Anger,irritation.[back]
Note9.Thewitnessoftime,thelightoftruth,thelifeofmemory,thedirectnessoflife,the
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heraldofantiquity.Cicero,DeOrat.,2.9.36.[back]
Note10.Comesto.[back]
Note11.Fearofpunishment.[back]
Note12.Loveofvirtue.[back]
Note13.Living.[back]
Note14.14Neithergodsnormennorbooksellerspermitpoetstobemediocre.Horace,
ArsPoet.,3723[back]
Note15.Imaginatively.[back]
Note16.Instructive.[back]
Note17.Hewaswithoutlearning.SidneyhereseemstomissthepointofajokeofCsars
reportedbySuetonius.[back]
Note18.Thattheyaretobekilled.[back]
Note19.Afriendtothephilosopher.[back]
Note20.Knowledge.[back]
Note21.Practice.[back]
Note22.Thisisthework,thisthelabor.Virgil,neid,VI.,129.[back]
Note23.Margin.[back]
Note24.Shallthislandseehimfleeing?Isitsoverywretchedtodie?Virgil,neid,
XII.,6456.[back]
Note25.Togivewaytoonesinclination.[back]
Note26.SuchthingsIremember,andthattheconqueredThyrsisstroveinvain.Fromthat
timeCorydoniswithustheCorydon.Virgil,Eclogues,VII.,6970.[back]
Note27.Theslyfellowtoucheseveryvicewhilehemakeshisfriendlaugh.Condensed
fromPersius,Sat.,I.,116.[back]
Note28.Heplaysabouthisheartstrings.Idem.[back]
Note29.Ifwedonotlacktheequabletemper,itisinUlubrae[thatwemayfind
happiness].Ulubraewasnotedforitsdesolation.AdaptedfromHorace,Epict.,I.,II,
30.[back]
Note30.Inthemill,whereslavesweresentforpunishment.[back]
Note31.Thesavagekingwhowieldsthesceptrewithcruelswayfearsthosewhofear
him,thedreadreturnsupontheauthorshead.Seneca,Oedipus,7056.[back]
Note32.BetterthanChrysippusandCrantortwodistinguishedphilosophers.Horace,
Epict.,I.2,4.[back]
Note33.Avoidaninquisitiveman,forheissuretobeaprattler.Horace,Epist.,I.18.
69.[back]
Note34.Whileeachispleasinghimself,weareacredulouscrowd.Ovid,Rem.
Amoris,686.[back]
Note35.Plough[back]
Note36.Begthequestion.[back]
Note37.Igladlybidhimbeafool.AdaptedfromHorace,Sat.,I.,1,63.[back]
Note38.Whichauthority[i.e.,Platos]somebarbarousandrudepersonswishtoabuse,
inordertobanishpoetsfromthestate.Scaliger,Poetics,5.a,1.[back]
Note39.Ornaments.[back]
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Note40.OMuse,recalltomethecausesbywhichherdivinewillhadbeeninsulted.
Virgil,neid,I.12.[back]
Note41.UponheartstheTitanhasformedbetterclay.AdaptedfromJuvenal,XIV.
345.[back]
Note42.Thoughlackinginspiration.[back]
Note43.Theoratorismade,thepoetisborn.[back]
Note44.Cultivated.[back]
Note45.WhateverItriedtosaywaspoetry.ChangedfromOvid,Tristia,IV.10,
26.[back]
Note46.Messenger.[back]
Note47.Fromtheegg.[back]
Note48.Unhappypovertyhasnothinginitharderthanthis,thatitmakesmen
ridiculous.Juvenal,Satires,III.1523.[back]
Note49.Farfetched.[back]
Note50.Alliteration.[back]
Note51.Helives.Lives?Ay,heevencomestotheSenate.Cicero,Catiline,I.
2.[back]
Note52.E.g.,rhyme.[back]
Note53.Inorderthat.[back]
Note54.Rhythmismeant.[back]
Note55.Thesonofafreedman.[back]
Note56.Herculeanoffspring.[back]
Note57.Ifmyversescandoaught.Virgil,neid,IX.446.[back]
Note58.Blockhead.[back]

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