WHen the right vertuous E.W. and I , were at the Emperours Court togither , wee gaue our selues to learne horsemanship of Ion Pietro Pugliano , one that with great commendation had the place of an Esquire in his stable : and hee according to the fertilnes of the Italian wit , did not onely affoord vs the demonstration of his practise , but sought to enrich our mindes with the contemplations therein , which he thought most precious . But with none I remember mine eares were at any time more loaden , then when ( either angred with slow paiment , or mooued with our learner like admiration ) hee exercised his speech in the praise of his facultie . He said souldiers were the noblest estate of mankind , and horsemen the noblest of souldiers . He said they were the maisters of warre , and ornaments of peace , speedie goers , and strong abiders , triumphers both in Camps and Courts : nay to so vnbleeued a point he proceeded , as that no earthly thing bred such wonder to a Prince , as to be a good horseman . Skill of gouernment was but a Pedanteria , in comparison , then would he adde certaine praises by telling what a peerlesse beast the horse was , the onely seruiceable Courtier without flattery , the beast of most bewtie , faithfulnesse , courage , and such more , that if I had not bene a peece of a Logician before I came to him , I thinke he would haue perswaded me to haue wished my selfe a horse . But thus much at least , with his no few words he draue into me , that selfeloue is better then any guilding , to make that seem gorgious wherin our selues be parties . Wherin if Pulianos strong affection and weake arguments will not satisfie you , I wil giue you a nearer example of my selfe , who I know not by what mischance in these my not old yeares and idlest times , hauing slipt into the title of a Poet , am prouoked to say somthing vnto you in the defence of that my vnelected vocation , which if I handle with more good will , then good reasons beare with me , since the scholler is to be pardoned that followeth the steps of his maister . And yet I must say , that as I haue more iust cause to make a pittifull defence of poore Poetrie , which from almost the highest estimation of learning , is falne to be the laughing stocke of children , so haue I need to bring some more auaileable proofes , since the former is by no man bard of his deserued credit , the silly later , hath had euen the names of Philosophers vsed to the defacing of it , with great daunger of ciuill warre among the Muses . And first truly to all them that professing learning enuey against Poetrie , may iustly be obiected , that they go very neare to vngratefulnesse , to seeke to deface that which in the noblest nations and languages that are knowne , hath bene the first light giuer to ignorance , and first nurse whose milke litle & litle enabled them to feed afterwards of tougher knowledges . And will you play the Hedge-hogge , that being receiued into the den , draue out his host ? Or rather the Vipers , that with their birth kill their parents ? Let learned Greece in any of his manifold Sciences , be able to shew me one booke before Musaeus , Homer , & Hesiod , all three nothing else but Poets . Nay let any Historie bee brought , that can say any writers were there before them , if they were not men of the same skill , as Orpheus , Linus , and some other are named , who hauing bene the first of that country that made pennes deliuerers of their knowledge to the posteritie , nay iustly challenge to bee called their Fathers in learning . For not onely in time they had this prioritie , ( although in it selfe antiquitie be venerable ) but went before them , as causes to draw with their charming sweetnesse the wild vntamed wits to an admiration of knowledge . So as Amphion , was said to mooue stones with his Poetry , to build Thebes , and Orpheus to be listned to by beasts , indeed stonie and beastly people . So among the Romans , were Liuius , Andronicus , and Ennius , so in the Italian language , the first that made it aspire to be a treasure-house of Science , were the Poets Dante , Bocace , and Petrach . So in our English , wer Gower , and Chawcer , after whom , encoraged & delighted with their excellent foregoing , others haue folowed to bewtify our mother toong , aswel in the same kind as other arts . This did so notably shew it self , that the Philosophers of Greece durst not a long time apear to the world , but vnder the mask of poets . So Thales , Empedocles , and Parmenides , sang their naturall Philosophie in verses . So did Pithagoras and Phocillides , their morall Councels . So did Tirteus in warre matters , and Solon in matters of pollicie , or rather they being Poets , did exercise their delightfull vaine in those points of highest knowledge , which before them laie hidden to the world . For , that wise Solon was directly a Poet , it is manifest , hauing written in verse the notable Fable of the Atlantick Iland , which was continued by Plato . And truly euen Plato who so euer well considereth , shall finde that in the body of his worke though the inside & strength were Philosophie , the skin as it were and beautie , depended most of Poetrie . For all stands vpon Dialogues , wherein hee faines many honest Burgesses of Athens speak of such matters , that if they had bene set on the Racke , they would neuer haue confessed them : besides his Poeticall describing the circumstances of their meetings , as the well ordering of a banquet , the delicacie of a walke , with enterlacing meere Tales , as Gyges Ring and others , which , who knowes not to bee flowers of Poetrie , did neuer walke into Appollos Garden . And euen Historiographers , although their lippes sound of things done , and veritie be written in their foreheads , haue bene glad to borrow both fashion and perchance weight of the Poets . So Herodotus entituled his Historie , by the name of the nine Muses , and both he and all the rest that followed him , either stale , or vsurped of Poetrie , their passionate describing of passions , the many particularities of battels which no man could affirme , or if that be denied me , long Orations put in the mouthes of great Kings and Captains , which it is certaine they neuer pronounced . So that truly neither Philosopher , nor Historiographer , could at the first haue entered into the gates of populer iudgements , if they had not taken a great pasport of Poetrie , which in all nations at this day where learning flourisheth not , is plaine to be seene : in all which , they haue some feeling of Poetry . In Turkey , besides their law giuing Diuines , they haue no other writers but Poets . In our neighbour Countrey Ireland , where truly learning goes verie bare , yet are their Poets held in a deuout reuerence . Euen among the most barbarous and simple Indians , where no writing is , yet haue they their Poets who make & sing songs which they call Arentos , both of their Auncestors deeds , and praises of their Gods . A sufficient probability , that if euer learning come among them , it must be by hauing their hard dull wittes softened and sharpened with the sweete delights of Poetrie , for vntill they finde a pleasure in the exercise of the minde , great promises of much knowledge , wil little persuade them that know not the frutes of knowledge . In Wales , the true remnant of the auncient Brittons , as there are good authorities to shew , the long time they had Poets which they called Bardes : so thorow all the conquests of Romans , Saxons , Danes , and Normans , some of whom , did seeke to ruine all memory of learning from among them , yet do their Poets euen to this day last : so as it is not more notable in the soone beginning , then in long continuing . But since the Authors of most of our Sciences , were the Romanes , and before them the Greekes , let vs a litle stand vpon their authorities , but euen so farre as to see what names they haue giuen vnto this now scorned skill . Among the Romanes a Poet was called Vares , which is as much as a diuiner , foreseer , or Prophet , as by his conioyned words Vaticinium , and Vaticinari , is manifest , so heauenly a title did that excellent people bestowe vppon this hart-rauishing knowledge , and so farre were they carried into the admiration thereof , that they thoughin the chanceable hitting vppon any of such verses , great foretokens of their following fortunes , were placed . Whereupon grew the word of Sortes Vergilianae , when by suddaine opening Virgils booke , they lighted vppon some verse of his , as it is reported by many , whereof the Histories of the Emperours liues are full . As of Albinus the Gouernour of our Iland , who in his childhood met with this verse Arma amens capio , nec sat rationis in armis : and in his age performed it , although it were a verie vaine and godlesse superstition , as also it was , to thinke spirits were commaunded by such verses , whereupon this word Charmes deriued of Carmina , commeth : so yet serueth it to shew the great reuerence those wittes were held in , and altogither not without ground , since both by the Oracles of Delphos and Sybillas prophesies , were wholly deliuered in verses , for that same exquisite obseruing of number and measure in the words , and that high flying libertie of conceit propper to the Poet , did seeme to haue some diuine force in it . And may not I presume a little farther , to shewe the reasonablenesse of this word Vatis , and say that the holy Dauids Psalms are a diuine Poeme ? If I do , I shal not do it without the testimony of great learned men both auncient and moderne . But euen the name of Psalmes wil speak for me , which being interpreted , is nothing but Songs : then that it is fully written in meeter as all learned Hebritians agree , although the rules be not yet fully found . Lastly and principally , his handling his prophecie , which is meerly Poeticall . For what else is the awaking his musical Instruments , the often and free chaunging of persons , his notable Prosopopeias , when he maketh you as it were see God comming in his maiestie , his telling of the beasts ioyfulnesse , and hils leaping , but a heauenly poesie , wherin almost he sheweth himselfe a passionate louer of that vnspeakable and euerlasting bewtie , to be seene by the eyes of the mind , onely cleared by faith ? But truly now hauing named him , I feare I seeme to prophane that holy name , applying it to Poetry , which is among vs throwne downe to so ridiculous an estimation . But they that with quiet iudgements wil looke a litle deeper into it , shal find the end & working of it such , as being rightly applied , deserueth not to be scourged out of the Church of God . But now let vs see how the Greekes haue named it , and how they deemed of it . The Greekes named him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which name , hath as the most excellent , gone through other languages , it commeth of this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is to make : wherin I know not whether by luck or wisedome , we Englishmen haue met with the Greekes in calling him a Maker . Which name , how high and incomparable a title it is , I had rather were knowne by marking the scope of other sciences , than by any partial allegation . There is no Art deliuered vnto mankind that hath not the workes of nature for his principall obiect , without which they could not consist , and on which they so depend , as they become Actors & Plaiers , as it were of what nature will haue set forth . So doth the Astronomer looke vpon the starres , and by that he seeth set downe what order nature hath taken therein . So doth the Geometritian & Arithmititian , in their diuers sorts of quantities . So doth the Musitians in times tel you , which by nature agree , which not . The natural Philosopher thereon hath his name , and the ( morall Philosopher standeth vppon the naturall vertues , vices , or passions of man : and follow nature saith he therein , and thou shalt not erre . The Lawier saith , what men haue determined . The Historian , what men haue done . The Gramarian , speaketh onely of the rules of speech , and the Rhetoritian and Logitian , considering what in nature wil soonest prooue , and perswade thereon , giue artificiall rules , which still are compassed within the circle of a question , according to the proposed matter . The Phisitian wayeth the nature of mans bodie , & the nature of things helpfull , or hurtfull vnto it . And the Metaphisicke though it be in the second & abstract Notions , and therefore be counted supernaturall , yet doth hee indeed build vpon the depth of nature . Only the Poet disdeining to be tied to any such subiection , lifted vp with the vigor of his own inuention , doth grow in effect into an other nature : in making things either better then nature bringeth foorth , or quite a new , formes such as neuer were in nature : as the Heroes , Demigods , Cyclops , Chymeras , Furies , and such like ; so as he goeth hand in hand with nature , not enclosed within the narrow warrant of her gifts , but freely raunging within the Zodiack of his owne wit . Nature neuer set foorth the earth in so rich Tapistry as diuerse Poets haue done , neither with so pleasaunt riuers , fruitfull trees , sweete smelling flowers , nor whatsoeuer els may make the too much loued earth more lonely : her world is brasen , the Poets only deliuer a golden . But let those things alone and goe to man , for whom as the other things are , so it seemeth in him her vttermost comming is imploied : & know whether she haue brought foorth so true a louer as Theagenes , so constant a friend as Pylades , so valiant a man as Orlando , so right a Prince as Xenophons Cyrus , so excellent a man euery way as Virgils Aeneas . Neither let this be iestingly conceiued , bicause the works of the one be essenciall , the other in imitation or fiction : for euerie vnderstanding , knoweth the skill of ech Artificer standeth in that Idea , or fore conceit of the worke , and not in the worke it selfe . And that the Poet hath that Idea , is manifest , by deliuering them foorth in such excellencie as he had imagined them : which deliuering foorth , also is not wholly imaginatiue , as we are wont to say by them that build Castles in the aire : but so farre substancially it worketh , not onely to make a Cyrus , which had bene but a particular excellency as nature might haue done , but to bestow a Cyrus vpon the world to make many Cyrusses , if they will learne aright , why and how that maker made him . Neither let it be deemed too sawcy a comparison , to ballance the highest point of mans wit , with the efficacie of nature : but rather giue right honor to the heauenly maker of that maker , who hauing made man to his owne likenes , set him beyond and ouer all the workes of that second nature , which in nothing he sheweth so much as in Poetry ; when with the force of a diuine breath , he bringeth things foorth surpassing her doings : with no small arguments to the incredulous of that first accursed fall of Adam , since our erected wit maketh vs know what perfection is , and yet our infected wil keepeth vs from reaching vnto it . But these arguments will by few be vnderstood , and by fewer graunted : thus much I hope wil be giuen me , that the Greeks with some probability of reason , gaue him the name aboue all names of learning . Now let vs goe to a more ordinarie opening of him , that the truth may be the more palpable : and so I hope though we get not so vnmatched a praise as the Etimologie of his names will graunt , yet his verie description which no man will denie , shall not iustly be barred from a principall commendation . Poesie therefore , is an Art of Imitation : for so Aristotle termeth it in the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is to say , a representing , counterfeiting , or figuring forth to speake Metaphorically . A speaking Picture , with this end to teach and delight . Of this haue bene three generall kindes , the chiefe both in antiquitie and excellencie , were they that did imitate the vnconceiueable excellencies of God . Such were Dauid in his Psalmes , Salomon in his song of songs , in his Ecclesiastes and Prouerbes . Moses and Debora , in their Hymnes , and the wryter of Iobe : Which beside other , the learned Emanuell , Tremelius , and F. Iunius , doo entitle the Poeticall part of the scripture : against these none will speake that hath the holie Ghost in due holie reuerence . In this kinde , though in a full wrong diuinitie , were Orpheus , Amphion , Homer in his himnes , and manie other both Greeke and Romanes . And this Poesie must be vsed by whosoeuer will follow S. Paules counsaile , in singing Psalmes when they are mery , and I knowe is vsed with the frute of comfort by some , when in sorrowfull panges of their death bringing sinnes , they finde the consolation of the neuer leauing goodnes . The second kinde , is of them that deale with matters Philosophicall , either morall as Tirteus , Phocilides , Cato ; or naturall , as Lucretius , and Virgils Georgikes ; or Astronomicall as Manilius and Pontanus ; or Historicall as Lucan : which who mislike the fault , is in their iudgement quite out of tast , & not in the sweet food of sweetly vttered knowledge . But bicause this second sort is wrapped within the folde of the proposed subiect , and takes not the free course of his own inuention , whether they properly bee Poets or no , let Gramarians dispute ; and goe to the third indeed right Poets , of whom chiefly this question ariseth : betwixt whom and these second , is such a kinde of difference , as betwixt the meaner sort of Painters , who counterfeyt onely such faces as are set before them , and the more excelent , who hauing no law but wit , bestow that in colours vpon you , which is fittest for the eye to see , as the constant , though lamenting looke of Lucretia , when shee punished in her selfe anothers faulte : wherein hee painteth not Lucretia whom he neuer saw , but painteth the outward bewty of such a vertue . For these third be they which most properly do imitate to teach & delight : and to imitate , borrow nothing of what is , hath bin , or shall be , but range onely reined with learned discretion , into the diuine consideration of what may be and should be . These be they that as the first and most noble sort , may iustly be termed Vates : so these are waited on in the excellentest languages and best vnderstandings , with the fore described name of Poets . For these indeed do meerly make to imitate , and imitate both to delight & teach , and delight to moue men to take that goodnesse in hand , which without delight they would flie as from a stranger ; and teach to make them know that goodnesse wherunto they are moued : which being the noblest scope to which euer any learning was directed , yet want there not idle tongues to barke at them . These be subdiuided into sundry more speciall denominations . The most notable be the Heroick , Lyrick , Tragick , Comick , Satyrick , Iambick , Elegiack , Pastorall , and certaine others : some of these being tearmed according to the matter they deale with , some by the sort of verse they liked best to write in , for indeed the greatest part of Poets , haue apparelled their poeticall inuentions , in that numbrous kind of writing which is called vers . Indeed but apparelled verse : being but an ornament and no cause to Poetrie , since there haue bene many most excellent Poets that neuer versefied , and now swarme many versefiers that need neuer answere to the name of Poets . For Xenophon who did imitate so excellently as to giue vs effigiem iusti imperii , the pourtraiture of a iust Empyre vnder the name of Cyrus , as Cicero saith of him , made therein an absolute heroicall Poeme . So did Heliodorus , in his sugred inuention of that picture of loue in Theagenes & Chariclea , and yet both these wrote in prose , which I speake to shew , that it is not ryming and versing that maketh a Poet , ( no more then a long gown maketh an Aduocate , who though he pleaded in Armour , should be an Aduocat and no souldier ) but it is that faining notable images of vertues , vices , or what els , with that delightfull teaching , which must be the right describing note to know a Poet by . Although indeed the Senate of Poets hath chosen verse as their fittest raiment : meaning as in matter , they passed all in all , so in maner , to go beyond them : not speaking table talke fashion , or like men in a dreame , words as they chanceably fall from the mouth , but peasing each sillable of eache word by iust proportion , according to the dignitie of the subiect . Now therfore it shal not be amisse , first to way this latter sort of poetrie by his workes , and then by his parts , and if in neither of these Anatomies hee be condemnable , I hope we shall obteine a more fauourable sentence . This purifying of wit , this enriching of memorie , enabling of iudgement , and enlarging of conceit , which commonly we cal learning , vnder what name so euer it come forth , or to what immediate end soeuer it be directed , the finall end is , to lead and draw vs to as high a perfection , as our degenerate soules made worse by their clay-lodgings , can be capable of . This according to the inclination of man , bred many formed impressions . For some that thought this felicity principally to be gotten by knowledge , and no knowledge to be so high or heauenly , as acquaintance with the stars ; gaue themselues to Astronomie : others perswading themselues to be Demygods , if they knew the causes of things , became naturall and supernaturall Philosophers . Some an admirable delight drew to Musicke ; and some the certaintie of demonstration to the Mathematicks : but all one and other hauing this scope to know , & by knowledge to lift vp the minde from the dungeon of the bodie , to the enioying his owne diuine essence . But when by the ballance of experience it was found , that the Astronomer looking to the stars might fall in a ditch , that the inquiring Philosopher might be blind in him self , & the Mathematician , might draw forth a straight line with a crooked hart . Then lo did proofe , the ouerruler of opinions make manifest , that all these are but seruing sciences ; which as they haue a priuate end in themselues , so yet are they all directed to the highest end of the mistresse knowledge by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which stands as I thinke , in the knowledge of a mans selfe , in the Ethike and Politique consideration , with the end of well doing , and not of well knowing onely . Euen as the Sadlers next ende is to make a good Saddle , but his further ende , to serue a nobler facultie , which is horsmanship , so the horsemans to souldiery : and the souldier not only to haue the skill , but to performe the practise of a souldier . So that the ending end of all earthly learning , being verteous action , those skils that most serue to bring forth that , haue a most iust title to be Princes ouer al the rest : wherin if we can shew , the Poet is worthy to haue it before any other competitors : among whom principally to challenge it , step forth the moral Philosophers , whom me thinkes I see comming towards me , with a sullain grauitie , as though they could not abide vice by day-light , rudely cloathed , for to witnesse outwardly their contempt of outward things , with bookes in their hands against glorie , whereto they set their names : sophistically speaking against subtiltie , and angry with any man in whom they see the foule fault of anger . These men casting larges as they go of definitions , diuitions , and distinctions , with a scornful interrogatiue , do soberly aske , whether it be possible to find any path so ready to lead a man to vertue , as that which teacheth what vertue is , & teacheth it not only by deliuering forth his very being , his causes and effects , but also by making knowne his enemie vice , which must be destroyed , and his combersome seruant passion , which must be mastred : by shewing the generalities that contains it , and the specialities that are deriued from it . Lastly by plaine setting downe , how it extends it selfe out of the limits of a mans owne little world , to the gouernment of families , and mainteining of publike societies . The Historian scarsely giues leisure to the Moralist to say so much , but that he loaden with old Mouse-eaten Records , authorising himselfe for the most part vpon other Histories , whose greatest authorities are built vppon the notable foundation Heresay , hauing much ado to accord differing writers , & to pick truth out of partiality : better acquainted with a 1000. yeres ago , them with the present age , and yet better knowing how this world goes , then how his owne wit runnes , curious for Antiquities , and inquisitiue of Nouelties , a wonder to yoong folkes , and a Tyrant in table talke ; denieth in a great chafe , that any man for teaching of vertue , and vertues actions , is comparable to him . I am Testis temporum , lux veritatis , vita memoriae , magistra vitae , nuncia vetustatis . The Philosopher saith he , teacheth a disputatiue vertue , but I do an actiue . His vertue is excellent in the dangerlesse Academy of Plato : but mine sheweth forth her honourable face in the battailes of Marathon , Pharsalia , Poietiers , and Agincourt . Hee teacheth vertue by certaine abstract considerations : but I onely bid you follow the footing of them that haue gone before you . Old aged experience , goeth beyond the fine witted Philosopher : but I giue the experience of many ages . Lastly , if he make the song Booke , I put the learners hand to the Lute , and if he be the guide , I am the light . Then would he alleage you innumerable examples , confirming storie by stories , how much the wisest Senators and Princes , haue bene directed by the credit of Historie , as Brutus , Alphonsus of Aragon , ( and who not if need be . ) At length , the long line of their disputation makes a point in this , that the one giueth the precept , & the other the example . Now whom shall we find , since the question standeth for the highest forme in the schoole of learning to be moderator ? Truly as mee seemeth , the Poet , and if not a moderator , euen the man that ought to carry the title from them both : & much more from all other seruing sciences . Therfore compare we the Poet with the Historian , & with the morall Philosopher : and if hee goe beyond them both , no other humaine skill can match him . For as for the diuine , with all reuerence it is euer to be excepted , not onely for hauing his scope as far beyond any of these , as Eternitie exceedeth a moment : but euen for passing ech of these in themselues . And for the Lawier , though Ius be the daughter of Iustice , the chiefe of vertues , yet because he seeks to make men good , rather formidine panae , then virtutis amore : or to say righter , doth not endeuor to make men good , but that their euill hurt not others , hauing no care so he be a good citizen , how bad a man he be . Therfore as our wickednes maketh him necessarie , and necessitie maketh him honorable , so is he not in the deepest truth to stand in ranck with these , who al endeuour to take naughtinesse away , and plant goodnesse euen in the secretest cabinet of our soules : and these foure are all that any way deale in the consideration of mens manners , which being the supreme knowledge , they that best breed it , deserue the best commendation . The Philosopher therefore , and the Historian , are they which would win the goale , the one by precept , the other by example : but both , not hauing both , doo both halt . For the Philosopher setting downe with thornie arguments , the bare rule , is so hard of vtterance , and so mistie to be conceiued , that one that hath no other guide but him , shall wade in him till he be old , before he shall finde sufficient cause to be honest . For his knowledge standeth so vpon the abstract and generall , that happie is that man who may vnderstand him , and more happie , that can apply what he doth vnderstand . On the other side , the Historian wanting the precept , is so tied , not to what should be , but to what is , to the particular truth of things , and not to the general reason of things , that his example draweth no necessarie consequence , and therefore a lesse fruitfull doctrine . Now doth the peerlesse Poet performe both , for whatsoeuer the Philosopher saith should be done , he giues a perfect picture of it by some one , by whom he presupposeth it was done , so as he coupleth the generall notion with the particuler example . A perfect picture I say , for hee yeeldeth to the powers of the minde an image of that whereof the Philosopher bestoweth but a wordish description , which doth neither strike , pearce , nor possesse , the sight of the soule so much , as that other doth . For as in outward things to a man that had neuer seene an Elephant , or a Rinoceros , who should tell him most exquisitely all their shape , cullour , bignesse , and particuler marks , or of a gorgious pallace an Architecture , who declaring the full bewties , might well make the hearer able to repeat as it were by roat all he had heard , yet should neuer satisfie his inward conceit , with being witnesse to it selfe of a true liuely knowledge : but the same man , assoon as he might see those beasts wel painted , or that house wel in modell , shuld straightwaies grow without need of any description to a iudicial comprehending of them , so no doubt the Philosopher with his learned definitions , be it of vertues or vices , matters of publike policy or priuat gouernment , replenisheth the memorie with many infallible grounds of wisdom , which notwithstanding lie darke before the imaginatiue and iudging power , if they be not illuminated or figured forth by the speaking picture of Poesie . Tully taketh much paines , and many times not without Poeticall helpes to make vs know the force , loue of our country hath in vs . Let vs but heare old Anchices , speaking in the middest of Troies flames , or see Vlisses in the fulnesse of all Calipsoes delightes , bewaile his absence from barraine and beggerly Ithecae . Anger the Stoickes said , was a short madnesse : let but Sophocles bring you Aiax on a stage , killing or whipping sheepe and oxen , thinking them the Army of Greekes , with their Chieftaines Agamemnon , and Menelaus : and tell me if you haue not a more familiar insight into Anger , then finding in the schoolemen his Genus and Difference . See whether wisdom and temperance in Vlisses and Diomedes , valure in Achilles , friendship in Nisus and Eurialus , euen to an ignorant man carry not an apparant shining : and contrarily , the remorse of conscience in Oedipus ; the soone repenting pride in Agamemnon ; the selfe deuouring crueltie in his father Atreus ; the violence of ambition in the two Theban brothers ; the sower sweetnesse of reuenge in Medea ; and to fall lower , the Terentian Gnato , and our Chawcers Pander so exprest , that we now vse their names , to signifie their Trades : And finally , all vertues , vices , and passions , so in their owne naturall states , laide to the view , that we seeme not to heare of them , but clearly to see through them . But euen in the most excellent determination of goodnesse , what Philosophers counsaile can so readely direct a Prince , as the feined Cirus in Xenophon , or a vertuous man in all fortunes : as Aeneas in Virgill , or a whole Common-wealth , as the Way of Sir Thomas Moores Eutopia . I say the Way , because where Sir Thomas Moore erred , it was the fault of the man and not of the Poet : for that Way of patterning a Common-wealth , was most absolute though hee perchaunce hath not so absolutely performed it . For the question is , whether the fained Image of Poetrie , or the reguler instruction of Philosophie , hath the more force in teaching ? Wherein if the Philosophers haue more rightly shewed themselues Philosophers then the Poets , haue atteined to the high toppe of their profession ( as in truth Mediocribus esse poetis non Dii , non homines , non concessere columnae , ) it is ( I say againe ) not the fault of the Art , but that by fewe men that Art can be accomplished . Certainly euen our Sauiour Christ could as well haue giuen the morall common places of vncharitablenesse and humblenesse , as the diuine narration of Diues and Lazarus , or of disobedience and mercy , as that heauenly discourse of the lost childe and the gracious Father , but that his through searching wisedome , knew the estate of Diues burning in hell , and of Lazarus in Abrahams bosome , would more constantly as it were , inhabit both the memorie and iudgement . Truly for my selfe ( mee seemes ) I see before mine eyes , the lost childs disdainful prodigalitie , turned to enuy a Swines dinner : which by the learned Diuines are thought not Historical acts , but instructing Parables . For conclusion , I say the Philosopher teacheth , but he teacheth obscurely , so as the learned onely can vnderstand him , that is to say , he teacheth them that are alreadie taught . But the Poet is the food for the tendrest stomacks , the Poet is indeed , the right populer Philosopher . Whereof Esops Tales giue good proofe , whose prettie Allegories stealing vnder the formall Tales of beastes , makes many more beastly then beasts : begin to hear the sound of vertue from those dumbe speakers . But now may it be alleadged , that if this imagining of matters be so fit for the imagination , then must the Historian needs surpasse , who brings you images of true matters , such as indeed were done , and not such as fantastically or falsly may be suggested to haue bin done . Truly Aristotle himselfe in his discourse of Poesie , plainly determineth this question , saying ; that Poetrie is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is to say , it is more Philosophicall and more then History . His reason is , because Poesie dealeth with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is to say , with the vniuersall consideration , and the Historie with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the particular . Now saith he , the vniuersall wayes what is fit to be said or done , either in likelihood or necessitie , which the Poesie considereth in his imposed names : and the particular onely marketh whether Alcibiades did or suffered this or that . Thus farre Aristotle . Which reason of his , as all his is most full of reason . For indeed if the question were , whether it were better to haue a particular act truly or falsly set downe , there is no doubt which is to be chosen , no more then whether you had rather haue Vespacians Picture right as he was , or at the Painters pleasure nothing resembling . But if the question be for your owne vse and learning , whether it be better to haue it set downe as it should be , or as it was ; then certainly is more doctrinable , the fained Cyrus in Xenophon , then the true Cyrus in Iustin : and the fained Aeneas in Virgill , then the right Aeneas in Dares Phrigius : as to a Ladie that desired to fashion her countenance to the best grace : a Painter shuld more benefite her to pourtrait a most sweete face , writing Canidia vppon it , then to paint Canidia as shee was , who Horace sweareth was full ill fauoured . If the Poet do his part aright , he wil shew you in Tantalus Atreus , and such like , nothing that is not to be shunned ; in Cyrus , Aeneas , Vlisses , each thing to be followed : where the Historian bound to tell things as things were , cannot be liberall , without hee will be Poeticall of a perfect patterne , but as in Alexander or Scipio himselfe , shew doings , some to be liked , some to be misliked ; and then how wil you discerne what to follow , but by your own discretion which you had without reading Q. Curtius . And whereas a man may say , though in vniuersall consideration of doctrine , the Poet preuaileth , yet that the Historie in his saying such a thing was done , doth warrant a man more in that he shall follow . The answere is manifest , that if he stand vpon that was , as if he should argue , because it rained yesterday , therfore it should raine to day , then indeede hath it some aduantage to a grosse conceit . But if hee knowe an example onely enformes a coniectured likelihood , and so goe by reason , the Poet doth so farre exceed him , as hee is to frame his example to that which is most reasonable , be it in warlike , politike , or priuate matters , where the Historian in his bare , was , hath many times that which we call fortune , to ouerrule the best wisedome . Manie times he must tell euents , whereof he can yeeld no cause , or if he do , it must be poetically . For that a fained example hath as much force to teach , as a true example ( for as for to mooue , it is cleare , since the fained may be tuned to the highest key of passion ) let vs take one example wherein an Historian and a Poet did concurre . Herodotus and Iustin doth both testifie , that Zopirus , King Darius faithfull seruant , seeing his maister long resisted by the rebellious Babilonians , fained himselfe in extreame disgrace of his King , for verifying of which , he caused his owne nose and eares to be cut off , and so flying to the Babylonians was receiued , and for his knowne valure so farre creadited , that hee did finde meanes to deliuer them ouer to Darius . Much like matter doth Liuy record of Tarquinius , and his sonne . Xenophon excellently faineth such an other Stratageme , performed by Abradates in Cyrus behalfe . Now would I faine knowe , if occasion be presented vnto you , to serue your Prince by such an honest dissimulation , why you do not as well learne it of Xenophons fiction , as of the others veritie : and truly so much the better , as you shall saue your nose by the bargaine . For Abradates did not counterfeyt so farre . So then the best of the Historian is subiect to the Poet , for whatsoeuer action or faction , whatsoeuer counsaile , pollicie , or warre , stratageme , the Historian is bounde to recite , that may the Poet if hee lift with his imitation make his owne ; bewtifying it both for further teaching , and more delighting as it please him : hauing all from Dante his heuen to his hell , vnder the authority of his pen . Which if I be asked what Poets haue don so ? as I might wel name some , so yet say I , and say again , I speake of the Art and not of the Artificer . Now to that which commonly is attributed to the praise of Historie , in respect of the notable learning , is got by marking the successe , as though therein a man shuld see vertue exalted , & vice punished : truly that commendation is peculier to Poetrie , and farre off from Historie ; for indeed Poetrie euer sets vertue so out in her best cullours , making fortune her well-wayting handmayd , that one must needs be enamoured of her . Well may you see Vlisses in a storme and in other hard plights , but they are but exercises of patience & magnanimitie , to make them shine the more in the neare following prosperitie . And of the contrary part , if euill men come to the stage , they euer goe out ( as the Tragedie writer answered to one that misliked the shew of such persons ) so manicled as they litle animate folkes to follow them . But the Historie beeing captiued to the trueth of a foolish world , is many times a terror from well-doing , and an encouragement to vnbrideled wickednes . For see we not valiant Milciades rot in his fetters ? The iust Phocion and the accomplished Socrates , put to death like Traytors ? The cruell Seuerus , liue prosperously ? The excellent Seuerus miserably murthered ? Sylla and Marius dying in their beds ? Pompey and Cicero slain then when they wold haue thought exile a happinesse ? See we not vertuous Cato driuen to kill himselfe , and Rebell Caesar so aduanced , that his name yet after 1600. yeares lasteth in the highest honor ? And marke but euen Caesars owne words of the forenamed Sylla , ( who in that onely , did honestly to put downe his dishonest Tyrannie ) Litteras nesciuit : as if want of learning caused him to doo well . He ment it not by Poetrie , which not content with earthly plagues , deuiseth new punishments in hell for Tyrants : nor yet by Philosophy , which teacheth Occidentos esse , but no doubt by skill in History , for that indeed can affoord you Cipselus , Periander , Phalaris , Dionisius , and I know not how many more of the same kennell , that speed well inough in their abhominable iniustice of vsurpation . I conclude therfore that he excelleth historie , not onely in furnishing the minde with knowledge , but in setting it forward to that which deserues to be called and accounted good : which setting forward and mouing to well doing , indeed setteth the Lawrell Crowne vpon the Poets as victorious , not onely of the Historian , but ouer the Philosopher , howsoeuer in teaching it may be questionable . For suppose it be granted , that which I suppose with great reason may be denied , that the Philosopher in respect of his methodical proceeding , teach more perfectly then the Poet , yet do I thinke , that no man is so much 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as to compare the Philosopher in moouing with the Poet. And that moouing is of a higher degree then teaching , it may by this appeare , that it is well nigh both the cause and effect of teaching . For who will be taught , if hee be not mooued with desire to be taught ? And what so much good doth that teaching bring foorth , ( I speake still of morall doctrine ) as that it mooueth one to do that which it doth teach . For as Aristotle saith , it is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must be the frute : and how 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , can be without being moued to practise , it is no hard matter to consider . The Philosopher sheweth you the way , hee enformeth you of the particularities , as well of the tediousnes of the way , as of the pleasaunt lodging you shall haue when your iourney is ended , as of the many by turnings that may diuert you from your way . But this is to no man but to him that will reade him , and reade him with attentiue studious painfulnesse , which constant desire , whosoeuer hath in him , hath alreadie past halfe the hardnesse of the way : and therefore is beholding to the Philosopher , but for the other halfe . Nay truly learned men haue learnedly thought , that where once reason hath so much ouer-mastered passion , as that the minde hath a free desire to doo well , the inward light each minde hath in it selfe , is as good as a Philosophers booke , since in Nature we know it is well , to doo well , and what is well , and what is euill , although not in the wordes of Art which Philosophers bestow vppon vs : for out of naturall conceit the Philosophers drew it ; but to be moued to doo that which wee know , or to be mooued with desire to know . Hoc opus , hic labor est . Now therein of all Sciences I speake still of humane ( and according to the humane conceit ) is our Poet the Monarch . For hee doth not onely shew the way , but giueth so sweete a prospect into the way , as will entice anie man to enter into it : Nay he doth as if your iourney should lye through a faire vineyard , at the verie first , giue you a cluster of grapes , that full of that taste , you may long to passe further . Hee beginneth not with obscure definitions , which must blurre the margent with interpretations , and loade the memorie with doubtfulnesse : but hee commeth to you with words set in delightfull proportion , either accompanied with , or prepared for the well enchanting skill of Musicke , and with a tale forsooth he commeth vnto you , with a tale , which holdeth children from play , and olde men from the Chimney corner ; and pretending no more , doth intend the winning of the minde from wickednes to vertue ; euen as the child is often brought to take most wholesome things by hiding them in such other as haue a pleasaunt taste : which if one should begin to tell them the nature of the Alloes or Rhabarbarum they should receiue , wold sooner take their phisick at their eares then at their mouth , so is it in men ( most of which , are childish in the best things , til they be cradled in their graues ) glad they will be to heare the tales of Hercules , Achilles , Cyrus , Aeneas , and hearing them , must needes heare the right description of wisdom , value , and iustice ; which if they had bene barely ( that is to say Philosophically ) set out , they would sweare they be brought to schoole againe ; that imitation whereof Poetrie is , hath the most conueniencie to nature of al other : insomuch that as Aristotle saith , those things which in themselues are horrible , as cruel battailes , vnnatural monsters , are made in poeticall imitation , delightfull . Truly I haue knowne men , that euen with reading Amadis de gaule , which God knoweth , wanteth much of a perfect Poesie , haue found their hearts moued to the exercise of courtesie , liberalitie , and especially courage . Who readeth Aeneas carrying old Anchises on his backe , that wisheth not it were his fortune to performe so excellent an Act ? Whom doth not those words of Turnus mooue , ( the Tale of Turnus hauing planted his image in the imagination ) fugientem haec terra videbit ? Vsqueadeone mori miserum est ? Wher the Philosophers as they think scorne to delight , so must they be content little to mooue ; sauing wrangling whether Virtus be the chiefe or the onely good ; whether the contemplatiue or the actiue life do excell ; which Plato & Poetius well knew : and therefore made mistresse Philosophie verie often borrow the masking raiment of Poesie . For euen those hard hearted euill men who thinke vertue a schoole name , and know no other good but indulgere genio , and therefore despise the austere admonitions of the Philosopher , and feele not the inward reason they stand vpon , yet will be content to be delighted , which is all the good , fellow Poet seemes to promise ; and so steale to see the form of goodnes , ( which seene , they cannot but loue ) ere themselues be aware , as if they tooke a medicine of Cheries . Infinit proofes of the straunge effects of this Poeticall inuention , might be alleaged : onely two shall serue , which are so often remembred , as I thinke all men know them . The one of Menemus Agrippa , who when the whole people of Rome had resolutely diuided themselues from the Senate , with apparant shew of vtter ruine , though he were for that time an excellent Orator , came not among them vpon trust either of figuratiue speeches , or cunning insinuations , and much lesse with farre set Maximes of Philosophie , which especially if they were Platonike , they must haue learned Geometrie before they could well haue conceiued : but forsooth , he behaueth himselfe like a homely and familiar Poet. He telleth them a tale , that there was a time , when all the parts of the bodie made a mutinous conspiracie against the belly , which they thought deuoured the frutes of each others labour : they concluded they would let so vnprofitable a spender starue . In the end , to be short , for the tale is notorious , and as notorious that it was a tale , with punishing the belly they plagued themselues ; this applied by him , wrought such effect in the people , as I neuer red , that onely words brought foorth : but then so suddaine and so good an alteration , for vpon reasonable conditions , a perfect reconcilement ensued . The other is of Nathan the Prophet , who when the holie Dauid , had so farre forsaken God , as to confirme Adulterie with murther , when he was to do the tendrest office of a friend , in laying his owne shame before his eyes ; sent by God to call againe so chosen a seruant , how doth he it ? but by telling of a man whose beloued lambe was vngratefully taken from his bosome . The Application most diuinely true , but the discourse it selfe fained ; which made Dauid ( I speake of the second and instrumentall cause ) as in a glasse see his owne filthinesse , as that heauenly Psalme of mercie well testifieth . By these therefore examples and reasons . I thinke it may be manifest , that the Poet with that same hand of delight , doth draw the mind more effectually then any other Art doth . And so a conclusion not vnfitly ensue , that as vertue is the most excellent resting place for al worldly learning to make his end of , so Poetry being the most familiar to teach it , and most Princely to moue towards it , in the most excellent worke , is the most excellent workeman . But I am content not onely to decipher him by his workes ( although workes in commendation and dispraise , must euer hold a high authoritie ) but more narrowly will examine his parts , so that ( as in a man ) though altogither may carrie a presence full of maiestie and bewtie , perchance in some one defectuous peece we may finde blemish : Now in his parts , kindes , or species , as you list to tearme them , it is to be noted , that some Poesies haue coupled togither two or three kindes , as the Tragicall and Comicall , whereupon is risen the Tragicomicall , some in the maner haue mingled prose and verse , as Sanazara and Boetius ; some haue mingled matters Heroicall and Pastorall , but that commeth all to one in this question , for if seuered they be good , the coniunction cannot be hurtfull : therefore perchance forgetting some , and leauing some as needlesse to be remembred . It shall not bee amisse , in a word to cite the speciall kindes , to see what faults may be found in the right vse of them . Is it then the Pastorall Poeme which is misliked ? ( For perchance where the hedge is lowest they will soonest leape ouer ) is the poore pipe disdained , which somtimes out of Maelibeus mouth , can shewe the miserie of people , vnder hard Lords and rauening souldiers ? And again by Titerus , what blessednesse is deriued , to them that lie lowest , from the goodnesse of them that fit highest ? Sometimes vnder the prettie tales of Woolues and sheepe , can ●nclude the whole considerations of wrong doing and patience ; sometimes shew that contentions for trifles , can get but a trifling victory , wher perchance a man may see , that euen Alexander & Darius , when they straue who should be Cocke of this worldes dunghill , the benefit they got , was , that the afterliuers may say , Haec memini & victum frustra contendere Thirsim . Ex illo Coridon , Coridon est tempore nobis . Or is it the lamenting Elegiack , which in a kinde heart would mooue rather pittie then blame , who bewaileth with the great Philosopher Heraclitus , the weakenesse of mankinde , and the wretchednesse of the world : who surely is to bee praised either for compassionate accompanying iust causes of lamentations , or for rightlie painting out how weake be the passions of wofulnesse ? Is it the bitter but wholesome Iambick , who rubbes the galled minde , in making shame the Trumpet of villanie , with bolde and open crying out against naughtinesse ? Or the Satirick , who Omne vafer vitium ridenti tangit amico , who sportingly , neuer leaueth , till he make a man laugh at follie ; and at length ashamed , to laugh at himself ; which he cannot auoyde , without auoyding the follie ? who while Circum praecordia ludit , giueth vs to feele how many headaches a passionate life bringeth vs to ? How when all is done , Est Vlubris animus si nos non deficit aequus . No perchance it is the Comick , whom naughtie Play-makers and stage-keepers , haue iustly made odious . To the arguments of abuse , I will after answer , onely thus much now is to be said , that the Comedy is an imitation of the common errors of our life , which he representeth in the most ridiculous & scornfull sort that may be : so as it is impossible that any beholder can be content to be such a one . Now as in Geometrie , the oblique must be knowne as well as the right , and in Arithmetick , the odde as well as the euen , so in the actions of our life , who seeth not the filthinesse of euill , wanteth a great foile to perceiue the bewtie of vertue . This doth the Comaedie handle so in our priuate and domesticall matters , as with hearing it , wee get as it were an experience what is to be looked for of a niggardly Demea , of a craftie Dauus , of a flattering Gnato , of a vain-glorious Thraso : and not onely to know what effects are to be expected , but to know who be such , by the signifying badge giuen them by the Comaedient . And litle reason hath any man to say , that men learne the euill by seeing it so set out , since as I said before , there is no man liuing , but by the force truth hath in nature , no sooner seeth these men play their parts , but wisheth them in Pistrinum , although perchance the sack of his owne faults lie so behinde his backe , that he seeth not himselfe to dance the same measure : wherto yet nothing can more open his eies , then to see his owne actions contemptibly set forth . So that the right vse of Comaedie , will I thinke , by no bodie be blamed ; and much lesse of the high and excellent Tragedie , that openeth the greatest woundes , and sheweth forth the Vlcers that are couered with Tissue , that maketh Kings feare to be Tyrants , and Tyrants manifest their tyrannicall humours , that with sturring the affects of Admiration and Comiseration , teacheth the vncertaintie of this world , and vppon how weak foundations guilden roofes are builded : that maketh vs know , Qui scaeptra saeuus duro imperio regit , Timet timentes , metus in authorem redit . But how much it can moue , Plutarch yeeldeth a notable testimonie of the abhominable Tyrant Alexander Pheraeus , from whose eyes a Tragedie well made and represented , drew abundance of teares , who without all pittie had murthered infinite numbers , and some of his owne bloud : so as he that was not ashamed to make matters for Tragedies , yet could not resist the sweete violence of a Tragedie . And if it wrought no further good in him , it was , that he in despight of himself , withdrew himselfe from hearkening to that which might mollifie his hardened heart . But it is not the Tragedie they do mislike , for it were too absurd to cast our so excellent a representation of whatsoeuer is most woorthie to be learned . Is it the Lyricke that moste displeaseth , who with his tuned Lyre and well accorded voice , giueth praise , the reward of vertue , to vertuous acts ? who giueth morall preceptes and naturall Problemes , who sometime raiseth vp his voyce to the height of the heauens , in singing the laudes of the immortall God ? Certainly I must confesse mine owne barbarousnesse , I neuer heard the old Song of Percy and Duglas , that I founde not my heart mooued more then with a Trumpet ; and yet is it sung but by some blinde Crowder , with no rougher voyce , then rude stile : which being so euill apparelled in the dust and Cobwebbes of that vnciuill age , what would it worke , trimmed in the gorgious eloquence of Pindare ? In Hungarie I haue seene it the manner at all Feastes and other such like meetings , to haue songs of their ancestors valure , which that right souldierlike nation , think one of the chiefest kindlers of braue courage . The incomperable Lacedemonians , did not onelie carrie that kinde of Musicke euer with them to the field , but euen at home , as such songs were made , so were they all content to be singers of them : when the lustie men were to tell what they did , the old men what they had done , and the yoong what they would doo . And where a man may say that Pindare many times praiseth highly Victories of small moment , rather matters of sport then vertue , as it may be answered , it was the fault of the Poet , and not of the Poetrie ; so indeed the chiefe fault was , in the time and custome of the Greekes , who set those toyes at so high a price , that Phillip of Macedon reckoned a horse-race wonne at Olympus , among his three fearefull felicities . But as the vnimitable Pindare often did , so is that kind most capable and most fit , to awake the thoughts from the sleepe of idlenesse , to embrace honourable enterprises . Their rests the Heroicall , whose verie name I thinke should daunt all backbiters . For by what conceit can a tongue bee directed to speake euil of that which draweth with him no lesse champions then Achilles , Cirus , Aeneas , Turnus , Tideus , Rinaldo , who doeth not onely teache and mooue to a truth , but teacheth and mooueth to the most high and excellent truth : who maketh magnanimitie and iustice , shine through all mistie fearefulnesse and foggie desires . Who if the saying of Plato and Tully bee true , that who could see vertue , woulde bee woonderfullie rauished with the loue of her bewtie . This man setteth her out to make her more louely in her holliday apparrell , to the eye of anie that will daine , not to disdaine vntill they vnderstand . But if any thing be alreadie said in the defence of sweete Poetrie , all concurreth to the mainteining the Heroicall , which is not onelie a kinde , but the best and most accomplished kindes of Poetrie . For as the Image of each Action stirreth and instructeth the minde , so the lostie Image of such woorthies , moste enflameth the minde with desire to bee woorthie : and enformes with counsaile how to bee woorthie . Onely let Aeneas bee worne in the Tablet of your memorie , how hee gouerneth himselfe in the ruine of his Countrey , in the preseruing his olde Father , and carrying away his religious Ceremonies , in obeying Gods Commaunment , to leaue Dido , though not onelie all passionate kindnesse , but euen the humane consideration of vertuous gratefulnesse , would haue craued other of him : how in stormes , how in sports , how in warre , how in peace , how a fugitiue , how victorious , how besieged , how besieging , how to straungers , how to Allies , how to enemies , how to his owne . Lastly , how in his inwarde selfe , and howe in his outward gouernment , and I thinke in a minde moste preiudiced with a preiudicating humour , Hee will bee founde in excellencie fruitefull . Yea as Horace saith , Melius Chrisippo & Grantore : but truly I imagin it falleth out with these Poet-whippers , as with some good women who often are sicke , but in faith they cannot tel where . So the name of Poetrie is odious to them , but neither his cause nor effects , neither the summe that containes him , nor the particularities descending from him , giue any fast handle to their carping dispraise . Since then Poetrie is of al humane learnings the most ancient , and of most fatherly antiquitie , as from whence other learnings haue taken their beginnings ; Since it is so vniuersall , that no learned nation doth despise it , nor barbarous nation is without it ; Since both Romane & Greeke gaue such diuine names vnto it , the one of prophesying , the other of making ; and that indeed that name of making is fit for him , considering , that where all other Arts retain themselues within their subiect , and receiue as it were their being from it . The Poet onely , onely bringeth his own stuffe , and doth not learn a Conceit out of a matter , but maketh matter for a Conceit . Since neither his description , nor end , containing any euill , the thing described cannot be euil ; since his effects be so good as to teach goodnes , and delight the learners of it ; since therein ( namely in morall doctrine the chiefe of all knowledges ) hee doth not onely farre passe the Historian , but for instructing is well nigh comparable to the Philosopher , for mouing , leaueth him behind him . Since the holy scripture ( wherein there is no vncleannesse ) hath whole parts in it Poeticall , and that euen our Sauior Christ vouchsafed to vse the flowers of it : since all his kindes are not onely in their vnited formes , but in their seuered dissections fully commendable , I thinke , ( and thinke I thinke rightly ) the Lawrell Crowne appointed for tryumphant Captaines , doth worthily of all other learnings , honour the Poets triumph . But bicause we haue eares as well as toongs , and that the lightest reasons that may be , will seeme to waigh greatly , if nothing be put in the counter-ballance , let vs heare , and as well as we can , ponder what obiections be made against this Art , which may be woorthie either of yeelding , or answering . First truly I note , not onely in these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Poet-haters , but in all that kind of people who seek a praise , by dispraising others , that they do prodigally spend a great many wandring words in quips and scoffes , carping and taunting at each thing , which by sturring the spleene , may staie the brain from a through beholding the worthinesse of the subiect . Those kind of obiections , as they are full of a verie idle easinesse , since there is nothing of so sacred a maiestie , but that an itching toong may rub it selfe vpon it , so deserue they no other answer , but in steed of laughing at the ieast , to laugh at the ieaster . We know a playing wit can praise the discretion of an Asse , the comfortablenes of being in debt , and the iolly commodities of being sicke of the plague . So of the contrary side , if we will turne Ouids verse , Vt lateat virtus , prox imitate mali , that good lye hid , in nearnesse of the euill . Agrippa will be as mery in shewing the vanitie of Science , as Erasmus was in the commending of folly : neither shal any man or matter , escape some touch of these smiling Raylers . But for Erasmus and Agrippa , they had an other foundation then the superficiall part would promise . Marry these other pleasaunt fault-finders , who will correct the Verbe , before they vnderstand the Nowne , and confute others knowledge , before they confirme their owne , I would haue them onely remember , that scoffing commeth not of wisedome ; so as the best title in true English they get with their meriments , is to be called good fooles : for so haue our graue forefathers euer tearmed that humorous kinde of iesters . But that which giueth greatest scope to their scorning humor , is ryming and versing . It is alreadie said ( and as I thinke truly said ) it is not ryming and versing that maketh Poesie : One may be a Poet without versing , and a versefier without Poetrie . But yet presuppose it were inseperable , as indeed it seemeth Scalliger iudgeth truly , it were an inseperable commendation . For if Oratio , next to Ratio , Speech next to Reason , be the greatest gift bestowed vpon Mortalitie , that cannot bee praiselesse , which doth most polish that blessing of speech ; which considereth each word not onely as a man may say by his forcible qualitie , but by his best measured quantity : carrying euen in themselues a Harmonie , without perchance number , measure , order , proportion , be in our time growne odious . But laie aside the iust praise it hath , by being the onely fit speech for Musicke , ( Musicke I say the most diuine striker of the senses ) Thus much is vndoubtedly true , that if reading be foolish without remembring , Memorie being the onely treasure of knowledge , those words which are fittest for memory , are likewise most conuenient for knowledge . Now that Verse far exceedeth Prose , in the knitting vp of the memorie , the reason is manifest , the words ( besides their delight , which hath a great affinitie to memorie ) being so set as one cannot be lost , but the whole woorke failes : which accusing it selfe , calleth the remembrance back to it selfe , and so most strongly confirmeth it . Besides one word , so as it were begetting an other , as be it in rime or measured verse , by the former a man shall haue a neare gesse to the follower . Lastly euen they that haue taught the Art of memory , haue shewed nothing so apt for it , as a certain roome diuided into many places , well & throughly knowne : Now that hath the verse in effect perfectly , euerie word hauing his natural seat , which seat must needs make the word remembred . But what needes more in a thing so knowne to all men . Who is it that euer was scholler , that doth not carry away som verses of Virgil , Horace , or Cato , which in his youth hee learned , and euen to his old age serue him for hourely lessons ; as Percontatorem fugito nam garrulus idem est , Dum tibi quisque placet credula turba sumas . But the fitnes it hath for memorie , is notably prooued by all deliuerie of Arts , wherein for the most part , from Grammer , to Logick , Mathematickes , Phisick , and the rest , the Rules chiefly necessaie to be borne away , are compiled in verses . So that verse being in it selfe sweet and orderly , and being best for memorie , the onely handle of knowledge , it must be in iest that any man can speak against it . Now then goe we to the most important imputations laid to the poore Poets , for ought I can yet learne , they are these . First , that there beeing manie other more frutefull knowledges , a man might better spend his time in them , then in this . Secondly , that it is the mother of lyes . Thirdly , that it is the nurse of abuse , infecting vs with many pestilent desires , with a Sirens sweetnesse , drawing the minde to the Serpents taile of sinfull fansies ; and herein especially Comedies giue the largest field to eare , as Chawcer saith , how both in other nations and in ours , before Poets did soften vs , we were full of courage giuen to martial exercises , the pillers of manlike libertie , and not lulled a sleepe in shadie idlenes , with Poets pastimes . And lastly and chiefly , they cry out with open mouth as if they had ouershot Robin-hood , that Plato banished them out of his Common-wealth . Truly this is much , if there be much truth in it . First to the first . That a man might better spend his time , is a reason indeed : but it doth as they say , but petere principium . For if it be , as I affirme , that no learning is so good , as that which teacheth and moueth to vertue , and that none can both teach and moue thereto so much as Poesie , then is the conclusion manifest ; that incke and paper cannot be to a more profitable purpose imployed . And certainly though a man should graunt their first assumption , it should follow ( mee thinks ) very vnwillingly , that good is not good , because better is better . But I still and vtterly deny , that there is sprung out of earth a more fruitfull knowledge . To the second therfore , that they should be the principall lyers , I answere Paradoxically , but truly , I think truly : that of all writers vnder the Sunne , the Poet is the least lyer : and though he wold , as a Poet can scarcely be a lyer . The Astronomer with his cousin the Geometrician , can hardly escape , when they take vpon them to measure the height of the starres . How often thinke you do the Phisitians lie , when they auerre things good for sicknesses , which afterwards send Charon a great number of soules drownd in a potion , before they come to his Ferrie ? And no lesse of the rest , which take vpon them to affirme . Now for the Poet , he nothing affirmeth , and therefore neuer lieth : for as I take it , to lie , is to affirme that to bee true , which is false . So as the other Artistes , and especially the Historian , affirming manie things , can in the clowdie knowledge of mankinde , hardly escape from manie lies . But the Poet as I said before , neuer affirmeth , the Poet neuer maketh any Circles about your imagination , to coniure you to beleeue for true , what he writeth : he citeth not authorities of other histories , but euen for his entrie , calleth the sweete Muses to inspire vnto him a good inuention . In troth , not laboring to tel you what is , or is not , but what should , or should not be . And therefore though he recount things not true , yet because he telleth them not for true , he lieth not : without we will say , that Nathan lied in his speech before alleaged to Dauid , which as a wicked man durst scarce say , so think I none so simple , wold say , that Esope lied , in the tales of his beasts : for who thinketh that Esope wrote it for actually true , were wel worthie to haue his name Cronicled among the beasts he writeth of . What childe is there , that comming to a play , and seeing Thebes written in great letters vpon an old doore , doth beleeue that it is Thebes ? If then a man can arriue to the childes age , to know that the Poets persons and dooings , are but pictures , what should be , and not stories what haue bin , they will neuer giue the lie to things not Affirmatiuely , but Allegorically and figuratiuely written ; and therefore as in historie looking for truth , they may go away full fraught with falshood : So in Poesie , looking but for fiction , they shall vse the narration but as an imaginatiue ground plat of a profitable inuention . But hereto is replied , that the Poets giue names to men they write of , which argueth a conceit of an actuall truth , and so not being true , prooueth a falshood . And dooth the Lawier lye , then when vnder the names of Iohn of the Stile , and Iohn of the Nokes , hee putteth his Case ? But that is easily answered , their naming of men , is but to make their picture the more liuely , and not to build anie Historie . Painting men , they cannot leaue men namelesse : wee see , wee cannot plaie at Chestes , but that wee must giue names to our Chessemen ; and yet mee thinkes he were a verie partiall Champion of truth , that would say wee lyed , for giuing a peece of wood the reuerende title of a Bishop . The Poet nameth Cyrus and Aeneas , no other way , then to shewe what men of their fames , fortunes , and estares , should doo . Their third is , how much it abuseth mens wit , training it to wanton sinfulnesse , and lustfull loue . For indeed that is the principall if not onely abuse , I can heare alleadged . They say the Comedies rather teach then reprehend amorous conceits . They say the Lirick is larded with passionat Sonets , the Elegiack weeps the want of his mistresse , and that euen to the Heroical , Cupid hath ambitiously climed . Alas Loue , I would thou couldest as wel defend thy selfe , as thou canst offend others : I would those on whom thou doest attend , could either put thee away , or yeeld good reason why they keepe thee . But grant loue of bewtie to be a beastly fault , although it be verie hard , since onely man and no beast hath that gift to discerne bewtie , graunt that louely name of loue to deserue all hatefull reproches , although euen some of my maisters the Philosophers spent a good deale of their Lampoyle in setting foorth the excellencie of it , graunt I say , what they will haue graunted , that not onelie loue , but lust , but vanitie , but if they list scurrilitie , possesse manie leaues of the Poets bookes , yet thinke I , when this is graunted , they will finde their sentence may with good manners put the last words foremost ; and not say , that Poetrie abuseth mans wit , but that mans wit abuseth Poetrie . For I will not denie , but that mans wit may make Poesie , which should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which some learned haue defined figuring foorth good things to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which doth contrariwise infect the fancie with vnwoorthie obiects , as the Painter should giue to the eye either some excellent perspectiue , or some fine Picture fit for building or fortification , or containing in it some notable example , as Abraham sacrificing his sonne Isaack , Iudith killing Holofernes , Dauid fighting with Golias , may leaue those , and please an ill pleased eye with wanton shewes of better hidden matters . But what , shal the abuse of a thing , make the right vse odious ? Nay truly though I yeeld , that Poesie may not onely be abused , but that being abused by the reason of his sweete charming force , it can do more hurt then anie other armie of words : yet shall it be so farre from concluding , that the abuse should giue reproach to the abused , that contrariwise , it is a good reason , that whatsoeuer being abused , doth most harme , being rightly vsed ( and vpon the right vse , ech thing receiues his title ) doth most good . Do we not see skill of Phisicke the best ramper to our often assaulted bodies , being abused , teach poyson the most violent destroyer ? Doth not knowledge of Law , whose end is , to euen & right all things , being abused , grow the crooked fosterer of horrible iniuries ? Doth not ( to go to the highest ) Gods word abused , breede heresie , and his name abused , become blasphemie ? Truly a Needle cannot do much hurt , and as truly ( with leaue of Ladies be it spoken ) it cannot do much good . With a swoord thou maist kill thy Father , and with a swoord thou maist defende thy Prince and Countrey : so that , as in their calling Poets , fathers of lies , they said nothing , so in this their argument of abuse , they prooue the commendation . They alledge herewith , that before Poets began to be in price , our Nation had set their hearts delight vppon action , and not imagination , rather doing things worthie to be written , them writing things fit to be done . What that before time was , I think scarcely Spinx can tell : since no memerie is so ancient , that hath not the precedens of Poetrie . And certain it is , that in our plainest homelines , yet neuer was the Albion Nation without Poetrie . Marry this Argument , though it be leuiled against Poetrie , yet is it indeed a chain-shot against all learning or bookishnes , as they commonly terme it . Of such mind were certaine Gothes , of whom it is written , that hauing in the spoile of a famous Cittie , taken a faire Librarie , one hangman belike fit to execute the frutes of their wits , who had murthered a great number of bodies , woulde haue set fire in it . No said an other verie grauely , take heed what you do , for while they are busie about those toyes , wee shall with more leisure conquere their Countries . This indeed is the ordinarie doctrine of ignorance , and many words sometimes I haue heard spent in it : but bicause this reason is generally against al learning , as wel as Poetrie , or rather all learning but Poetrie , because it were too large a digression to handle it , or at least too superfluous , since it is manifest that all gouernment of action is to be gotten by knowledge , and knowledge best , by gathering manie knowledges , which is reading ; I onely with Horace , to him that is of that opinion , Iubio stultum esse libenter : for as for Poetrie it selfe , it is the freest from this obiection , for Poetrie is the Companion of Camps . I dare vndertake , Orlando Furioso , or honest king Arthure , will neuer displease a souldier : but the quidditie of Ens & Prima materia , will hardly agree with a Corcelet . And therefore as I said in the beginning , euen Turkes and Tartars , are delighted with Poets . Homer a Creeke , flourished , before Greece flourished : and if to a slight coniecture , a coniecture may bee apposed , truly it may seem , that as by him their learned men tooke almost their first light of knowledge , so their actiue men , receiued their first motions of courage . Onely Alexanders example may serue , who by Plutarche is accounted of such vertue , that fortune was not his guide , but his footestoole , whose Acts speake for him , though Plutarche did not : indeede the Phaenix of warlike Princes . This Alexander , left his Schoolemaister liuing Aristotle behinde him , but tooke dead Homer with him . Hee put the Philosopher Callisthenes to death , for his seeming Philosophicall , indeed mutinous stubbornnesse , but the chiefe thing hee was euer heard to wish for , was , that Homer had bene aliue . Hee well founde hee receiued more brauerie of minde by the paterne of Achilles , then by hearing the definition of fortitude . And therefore if Cato misliked Fuluius for carrying Ennius with him to the field , It may be answered , that if Cato misliked it , the Noble Fuluius liked it , or else he had not done it ; for it was not the excellent Cato Vticencis , whose authoritie I would much more haue reuerenced : But it was the former , in truth a bitter punisher of faultes , but else a man that had neuer sacrificed to the Graces . Hee misliked and cried out against all Greeke learning , and yet being foure score yeares olde beganne to learne it , belike fearing that Pluto vnderstood not Latine . Indeed the Romane lawes allowed no person to bee carried to the warres , but hee that was in the souldiers Role . And therefore though Cato misliked his vnmustred person , he misliked not his worke . And if hee had , Scipio Nasica ( iudged by common consent the best Romane ) loued him : both the other Scipio brothers , who had by their vertues no lesse surnames then of Asia and Affricke , so loued him , that they caused his bodie to be buried in their Sepulture . So as Catoes authoritie beeing but against his person , and that answered with so farre greater then himselfe , is herein of no validitie . But now indeede my burthen is great , that Plato his name is laide vppon mee , whom I must confesse of all Philosophers , I haue euer esteemed most worthie of reuerence ; and with good reason , since of all Philosophers hee is the most Poeticall : yet if hee will defile the fountaine out of which his flowing streames haue proceeded , let vs boldly examine with what reasons hee did it . First truly a man might maliciously obiect , that Plato being a Philosopher , was a naturall enemy of Poets . For indeede after the Philosophers had picked out of the sweete misteries of Poetrie , the right discerning true points of knowledge : they foorthwith putting it in methode , and making a Schoole Art of that which the Poets did onely teach by a diuine delightfulnes , beginning to spurne at their guides , like vngratefull Prentices , were not content to set vp shop for themselues , but sought by all meanes to discredit their maisters , which by the force of delight being barred them , the lesse they could ouerthrow them , the more they hated them . For indeed they found for Homer , seuen Cities straue who should haue him for their Cittizen , where many Cities banished Philosophers , as not fit members to liue among them . For onely repeating certaine of Euripides verses , many Atheniens had their liues saued of the Siracusans , where the Atheniens themselues thought many Philosophers vnworthie to liue . Certaine Poets , as Simonides , and Pindarus , had so preuailed with Hiero the first , that of a Tyrant they made him a iust King : where Plato could do so little with Dionisius , that he himselfe of a Philosopher , was made a slaue . But who should do thus , I confesse should requite the obiections made against Poets , with like cauillations against Philosophers : as likewise one should do , that should bid one read Phaedrus or Simposium in Plato , or the discourse of loue in Plutarch , and see whether any Poet do authorise abhominable filthinesse as they doo . Againe , a man might aske , out of what Common-wealth Plato doth banish them , in sooth , thence where he himselfe alloweth communitie of women . So as belike this banishment grew not for effeminate wantonnesse , since little should Poetical Sonnets be hurtful , when a man might haue what woman he listed . But I honor Philosophicall instructions , and blesse the wits which bred them : so as they be not abused , which is likewise stretched to Poetrie . S. Paul himselfe sets a watch-word vppon Philosophie , indeed vppon the abuse . So doth Plato vppon the abuse , not vpon Poetrie . Plato found fault that the Poettes of his time , filled the worlde with wrng opinions of the Gods , making light tales of that vnspotted essence ; and therfore wold not haue the youth depraued with such opinions : heerein may much be said ; let this suffice . The Poets did not induce such opinions , but did imitate those opinions alreadie induced . For all the Greeke stories can well testifie , that the verie religion of that time , stood vpon many , and many fashioned Gods : Not taught so by Poets , but followed according to their nature of imitation . Who list may read in Plutarch , the discourses of Isis and Osiris , of the cause why Oracles ceased , of the diuine prouidence , & see whether the Theology of that nation , stood not vpon such dreams , which the Poets indeede superstitiously obserued . And truly since they had not the light of Christ , did much better in it , then the Philosophers , who shaking off superstition , brought in Atheisme . Plato therfore , whose authoritie , I had much rather iustly consture , then vniustly resist : ment not in generall of Poets , in those words of which Iulius Scaliger saith ; Qua authoritate barbari quidam atque hispidi abuti velint ad poetas è rep. Exigendos . But only ment to driue out those wrong opinions of the Deitie : wherof now without further law , Christianitie hath taken away all the hurtful beliefe , perchance as he thought nourished by then esteemed Poets . And a man need go no further then to Plato himselfe to knowe his meaning : who in his Dialogue called Ion , giueth high , and rightly , diuine commendation vnto Poetrie . So as Plato banishing the abuse , not the thing , not banishing it , but giuing due honour to it , shall be our Patron , and not our aduersarie . For indeed , I had much rather , since truly I may do it , shew their mistaking of Plato , vnder whose Lyons skinne , they would make an Aslike braying against Poesie , then go about to ouerthrow his authoritie ; whome the wiser a man is , the more iust cause he shall finde to haue in admiration : especially since he attributeth vnto Poesie , more then my selfe do ; namely , to be a verie inspiring of a diuine force , farre aboue mans wit , as in the forenamed Dialogue is apparant . Of the other side , who would shew the honours haue bene by the best sort of iudgements graunted them , a whole sea of examples woulde present themselues ; Alexanders , Caesars , Scipioes , all fauourers of Poets : Laelius , called the Romane Socrates himselfe a Poet ; so as part of Heautontimoroumenon in Terence , was supposed to bee made by him . And euen the Greeke Socrates , whome Appollo confirmed to bee the onely wise man , is said to haue spent part of his olde time in putting Esopes Fables into verses . And therefore full euill should it become his scholler Plato , to put such words in his maisters mouth against Poets . But what needs more ? Aristotle writes the Arte of Poesie , and why , if it should not bee written ? Plutarche teacheth the vse to bee gathered of them , and how , if they should not bee reade ? And who reades Plutarches either Historie or Philosophie , shall finde hee trimmeth both their garments with gardes of Poesie . But I list not to defend Poesie with the helpe of his vnderling Historiographie . Let it suffice to haue shewed , it is a fit soyle for praise to dwell vppon : and what dispraise may set vppon it , is either easily ouercome , or transformed into iust commendation . So that since the excellencies of it , may bee so easily and so iustly confirmed , and the lowe creeping obiections so soone trodden downe , it not beeing an Art of lyes , but of true doctrine ; not of effoeminatenesse , but of notable stirring of courage ; not of abusing mans wit , but of strengthening mans wit ; not banished , but honored by Plato ; Let vs rather plant more Lawrels for to ingarland the Poets heads ( which honor of being Lawreate , as besides them onely triumphant Captaines were , is a sufficient authoritie to shewe the price they ought to bee held in ) then suffer the ill sauoured breath of such wrong speakers once to blow vppon the cleare springs of Poesie . But since I haue runne so long a Carrier in this matter , me thinkes before I giue my penne a full stoppe , it shall be but a litle more lost time , to enquire why England the Mother of excellent mindes should be growne so hard a stepmother to Poets , who certainely in wit ought to passe all others , since all onely proceedes from their wit , beeing indeed makers of themselues , not takers of others . How can I but exclaime . Musa mihi causas memoria quo numine laeso , Sweete Poesie that hath aunciently had Kings , Emperours , Senatours , great Captaines , such as besides a thousandes others , Dauid , Adrian , Sophocles , Germanicus , not onelie to fauour Poets , but to bee Poets : and of our nearer times , can present for her Patrons , a Robert King of Scicill , the great King Fraunces of Fraunce , King Iames of Scotland ; such Cardinalls as Bembus , and Bibiena ; suche famous Preachers and Teachers , as Beza and Melanchchon ; so learned Philosophers , as Fracastorius , and Scaliger ; so great Orators , as Pontanus , and Muretus ; so pearcing wits , as George Buchanan ; so graue Counsailours , as besides manie , but before all , that Hospitall of Fraunce ; then whome I thinke that Realme neuer brought forth a more accomplished iudgement , more firmly builded vpon vertue : I say these with numbers of others , not onely to read others Poesies , but to poetise for others reading ; that Poesie thus embraced in all other places , should onely finde in our time a hard welcome in England . I thinke the verie earth laments it , and therefore deckes our soyle with fewer Lawrels then it was accustomed . For heretofore , Poets haue in England also flourished : and which is to be noted , euen in those times when the Trumpet of Mars did sonnd lowdest . And now that an ouer faint quietnesse should seeme to strowe the house for Poets . They are almost in as good reputation , as the Mountebanckes at Venice . Truly euen that , as of the one side it giueth great praise to Poesie , which like Venus ( but to better purpose ) had rather be troubled in the net with Mars , then enioy the homely quiet of Vulcan . So serueth it for a peece of a reason , why they are lesse gratefull to idle England , which now can scarce endure the paine of a penne . Vpon this necessarily followeth , that base men with seruill wits vndertake it , who thinke it inough if they can be rewarded of the Printer : and so as Epaminandas is said with the honor of his vertue to haue made an Office , by his exercising it , which before was contemtible , to become highly respected : so these men no more but setting their names to it , by their own disgracefulnesse , disgrace the most gracefull Poesie . For now as if all the Muses were got with childe , to bring forth bastard Poets : without any commission , they do passe ouer the Bankes of Helicon , till they make the Readers more wearie then Post-horses : while in the meane time , they Queis meliore luto finxit praecordia Titan , are better content to suppresse the out-flowings of their wit , then by publishing them , to be accounted Knights of the same order . But I that before euer I durst aspire vnto the dignitie , am admitted into the companie of the Paper-blurrers , do finde the verie true cause of our wanting estimation , is want of desert , taking vppon vs to be Poets , in despite of Palla● . Now wherein we want desert , were a thank woorthie labour to expresse . But if I knew I should haue mended my selfe , but as I neuer desired the title , so haue I neglected the meanes to come by it , onely ouer-mastered by some thoughts , I yeelded an inckie tribute vnto them . Marrie they that delight in Poesie it selfe , should seek to know what they do , and how they do : and especially looke themselues in an vnflattering glasse of reason , if they be enclinable vnto it . For Poesie must not be drawne by the eares , it must be gently led , or rather it must lead , which was partly the cause that made the auncient learned affirme , it was a diuine gift & no humane skil ; since all other knowledges lie readie for anie that haue strength of wit : A Poet no industrie can make , if his owne Genius be not carried into it . And therefore is an old Prouerbe , Orator fit , Paeta nascitur . Yet conconfesse I alwaies , that as the fertilest ground must be manured , so must the highest flying wit haue a Dedalus to guide him . That Dedalus they say both in this and in other , hath three wrings to beare it selfe vp into the aire of due commendation : that is Art , Imitation , and Exercise . But these neither Artificiall Rules , nor imitatiue paternes , we much comber ourselues withall . Exercise indeed we do , but that verie fore-backwardly ; for where we should exercise to know , we exercise as hauing knowne : and so is our braine deliuered of much matter , which neuer was begotten by knowledge . For there being two principall parts , Matter to be expressed by words , and words to expresse the matter : In neither , wee vse Art or imitation rightly . Our matter is , Quodlibet , indeed though wrongly performing , Ouids Verse . Quicquid conabor dicere , Versus erit : neuer marshalling it into anie assured ranck , that almost the Readers cannot tell where to finde themselues . Chawcer vndoubtedly did excellently in his Troilus and Creseid : of whome trulie I knowe not whether to meruaile more , either that hee in that mistie time could see so clearly , or that wee in this cleare age , goe so stumblingly after him . Yet had hee great wants , fit to be forgiuen in so reuerent an Antiquitie . I account the Mirrour of Magistrates , meetly furnished of bewtiful partes . And in the Earle of Surreis Lirickes , manie thinges tasting of a Noble birth , and worthie of a Noble minde . The Sheepheards Kallender , hath much Poetrie in his Egloges , indeed woorthie the reading , if I be not deceiued . That same framing of his style to an olde rusticke language , I dare not allow : since neither Theocritus in Greeke , Virgill in Latine , nor Sanazara in Italian , did affect it . Besides these , I doo not remember to haue seene but fewe ( to speake boldly ) printed , that haue poeticall sinnewes in them . For proofe whereof , let but moste of the Verses bee put in prose , and then aske the meaning , and it will bee founde , that one Verse did but beget an other , without ordering at the first , what should bee at the last , which becomes a confused masse of words , with a tingling sound of ryme , barely accompanied with reasons . Our Tragidies and Commedies , not without cause cryed out against , obseruing rules neither of honest ciuilitie , nor skilfull Poetrie . Excepting Gorboducke , ( againe I say of those that I haue seen ) which notwithstanding as it is full of stately speeches , and wel sounding phrases , clyming to the height of Seneca his style , and as full of notable morallitie , which it dooth most delightfully teach , and so obtaine the verie ende of Poesie . Yet in truth , it is verie defectious in the circumstaunces , which greeues mee , because it might not remaine as an exact moddell of all Tragidies . For it is faultie both in place and time , the two necessarie Companions of all corporall actions . For where the Stage should alway represent but one place , and the vttermoste time presupposed in it , should bee both by Aristotles precept , and common reason , but one day ; there is both manie dayes and places , inartificially imagined . But if it bee so in Gorboducke , howe much more in all the the rest , where you shall haue Asia of the one side , and Affricke of the other , and so manie other vnder Kingdomes , that the Player when he comes in , must euer begin with telling where he is , or else the tale will not be conceiued . Now you shall haue three Ladies walke to gather flowers , and then we must beleeue the stage to be a garden . By and by we heare newes of shipwrack in the same place , then we are too blame if we accept it not for a Rock . Vpon the back of that , comes out a hidious monster with fire and smoke , and then the miserable beholders are bound to take it for a Caue : while in the meane time two Armies flie in , represented with soure swords & bucklers , and then what hard hart wil not receiue it for a pitched field . Now of time , they are much more liberall . For ordinarie it is , that two yoong Princes fall in loue , after many trauerses she is got with childe , deliuered of a faire boy : he is lost , groweth a man , falleth in loue , and is readie to get an other childe , and all this in two houres space : which howe absurd it is in sence , euen sence may imagine : and Arte hath taught , and all auncient examples iustified , and at this day the ordinarie players in Italie will not erre in . Yet will some bring in an example of Eunuche in Terence , that conteineth matter of two dayes , yet far short of twentie yeares . True it is , and so was it to be played in two dayes , and so fitted to the time it set foorth . And though Plautus haue in one place done amisse , let vs hit it with him , & not misse with him . But they will say , how then shall we set foorth a storie , which contains both many places , and many times ? And do they not know that a Tragidie is tied to the lawes of Poesie and not of Historie : not bounde to follow the storie , but hauing libertie either to faine a quite new matter , or to frame the Historie to the most Tragicall conueniencie . Againe , many things may be told which cannot be shewed : if they know the difference betwixt reporting and representing . As for example , I may speake though I am here , of Peru , and in speech digresse from that , to the description of Calecut : But in action , I cannot represent it without Pacolets Horse . And so was the manner the Auncients tooke , by some Nuntius , to recount things done in former time or other place . Lastly , if they will represent an Historie , they must not ( as Horace saith ) beginne ab ouo , but they must come to the principall poynte of that one action which they will represent . By example this will be best expressed . I haue a storie of yoong Polidorus , deliuered for safeties sake with great riches , by his Father Priamus , to Polminester King of Thrace , in the Troyan warre time . He after some yeares , hearing the ouerthrowe of Priamus , for to make the treasure his owne , murthereth the Childe , the bodie of the Childe is taken vp , Hecuba , shee the same day , findeth a sleight to bee reuenged moste cruelly of the Tyrant . Where nowe would one of our Tragedie writers begin , but with the deliuerie of the Childe ? Then should hee saile ouer into Thrace , and so spende I know not howe many yeares , and trauaile numbers of places . But where dooth Euripides ? euen with the finding of the bodie , the rest leauing to be told by the spirite of Polidorus . This needes no further to bee enlarged , the dullest witte may conceiue it . But besides these grosse absurdities , howe all their Playes bee neither right Tragedies , nor right Comedies , mingling Kinges and Clownes , not because the matter so carrieth it , but thrust in the Clowne by head and shoulders to play a part in maiesticall matters , with neither decencie nor discretion : so as neither the admiration and Commiseration , nor the right sportfulnesse is by their mongrell Tragicomedie obtained . I know Apuleius did somewhat so , but that is a thing recounted with space of time , not represented in one moment : and I knowe the Auncients haue one or two examples of Tragicomedies , as Plautus hath Amphitrio . But if we marke them well , wee shall finde that they neuer or verie daintily matche horne Pipes and Funeralls . So falleth it out , that hauing indeed no right Comedie in that Comicall part of our Tragidie , wee haue nothing but scurrillitie vnwoorthie of anie chaste eares , or some extreame shewe of doltishnesse , indeede fit to lift vp a loude laughter and nothing else : where the whole tract of a Comedie should be full of delight , as the Tragidie should bee still maintained in a well raised admiration . But our Comedients thinke there is no delight without laughter , which is verie wrong , for though laughter may come with delight , yet commeth it not of delight , as though delight should be the cause of laughter . But well may one thing breed both togither . Nay rather in themselues , they haue as it were a kinde of contrarietie : For delight wee scarcely doo , but in thinges that haue a conueniencie to our selues , or to the generall nature : Laughter almost euer commeth of thinges moste disproportioned to our selues , and nature . Delight hath a ioy in it either permanent or present . Laughter hath onely a scornfull tickling . For example , wee are rauished with delight to see a faire woman , and yet are farre from beeing mooued to laughter . Wee laugh at deformed creatures , wherein certainly wee cannot delight . We delight in good chaunces , wee laugh at mischaunces . We delight to heare the happinesse of our friendes and Countrey , at which hee were worthie to be laughed at , that would laugh : we shall contrarily laugh sometimes to finde a matter quite mistaken , and goe downe the hill against the byas , in the mouth of some such men as for the respect of them , one shall be hartily sorie , he cannot chuse but laugh , and so is rather pained , then delighted with laughter . Yet denie I not , but that they may goe well togither , for as in Alexanders picture well set out , wee delight without laughter , and in twentie madde Antiques , wee laugh without delight . So in Hercules , painted with his great beard and furious countenaunce , in a womans attyre , spinning , at Omphales commaundement , it breedes both delight and laughter : for the representing of so straunge a power in Loue , procures delight , and the scornefulnesse of the action , stirreth laughter . But I speake to this purpose , that all the ende of the Comicall part , bee not vppon suche scornefull matters as stirre laughter onelie , but mixe with it , that delightfull teaching whiche is the ende of Poesie . And the great faulte euen in that poynt of laughter , and forbidden plainly by Aristotle , is , that they stirre laughter in sinfull things , which are rather execrable then ridiculous : or in miserable , which are rather to be pitied then scorned . For what is it to make folkes gape at a wretched begger , and a beggerly Clowne : or against lawe of hospitalitie , to least at straungers , because they speake not English so well as we do ? What doo we learne , since it is certaine , Nil habet infoelix paupertas durius in se , Quam quod ridiculos homines facit . But rather a busie louing Courtier , and a hartlesse threatning Thraso ; a selfe-wise seeming Schoolemaister , a wry transformed Traueller : these if we saw walke in Stage names , which we plaie naturally , therein were delightfull laughter , and teaching delightfulnesse , as in the other the Tragidies of Buchanan do iustly bring foorth a a diuine admiration . But I haue lauished out too many words of this Play-matter ; I do it , because as they are excelling parts of Poesie , so is there none so much vsed in England , and none can be more pittifully abused : which like an vnmannerly daughter , shewing a bad education , causeth her mother Poesies honestie to be called in question . Other sort of Poetrie , almost haue we none , but that Lyricall kind of Songs and Sonets ; which Lord , if he gaue vs so good mindes , how well it might be employed , and with how heauenly fruites , both priuate and publike , in singing the praises of the immortall bewtie , the immortall goodnes of that God , who giueth vs hands to write , and wits to conceiue : of which we might wel want words , but neuer matter , of which we could turne our eyes to nothing , but we should euer haue new budding occasions . But truly many of such writings as come vnder the banner of vnresistable loue , if I were a mistresse , would neuer perswade mee they were in loue : so coldly they applie firie speeches , as men that had rather redde louers writings , and so caught vp certaine swelling Phrases , which hang togither like a man that once tolde me the winde was at Northwest and by South , because he would be sure to name winds inough , then that in truth they feele those passions , which easily as I thinke , may be bewraied by that same forciblenesse or Euergia , ( as the Greeks call it of the writer ) . But let this be a sufficient , though short note , that we misse the right vse of the materiall point of Poesie . Now for the outside of it , which is words , or ( as I may tearme it ) Diction , it is euen well worse : so is it that hony-flowing Matrone Eloquence , apparrelled , or rather disguised , in a Courtisanlike painted affectation . One time with so farre set words , that many seeme monsters , but must seeme straungers to anie poore Englishman : an other time with coursing of a letter , as if they were bound to follow the method of a Dictionary : an other time with figures and flowers , extreemly winter-starued . But I would this fault were onely peculiar to Versefiers , and had not as large possession among Prose-Printers : and which is to be meruailed among many Schollers , & which is to be pitied among some Preachers . Truly I could wish , if at least I might be so bold to wish , in a thing beyond the reach of my capacity , the diligent Imitators of Tully & Demosthenes , most worthie to be imitated , did not so much keepe Nizolian paper bookes , of their figures and phrases , as by attentiue translation , as it were , deuoure them whole , and make them wholly theirs . For now they cast Suger and spice vppon euerie dish that is serued to the table : like those Indians , not content to weare eare-rings at the fit and naturall place of the eares , but they will thrust Iewels through their nose and lippes , because they will be sure to be fine . Tully when he was to driue out Catiline , as it were with a thunderbolt of eloquence , often vseth the figure of repitition , as Viuit & vincit , imo insenatum , Venit imo , insenatum venit , &c. Indeede enflamed , with a well grounded rage , hee would haue his words ( as it were ) double out of his mouth , and so do that artificially , which we see men in choller doo naturally . And we hauing noted the grace of those words , hale them in sometimes to a familiar Epistle , when it were too much choller to be chollericke . How well store of Similiter Cadenses , doth sound with the grauitie of the Pulpit , I woulde but inuoke Demosthenes soule to tell : who with a rare daintinesse vseth them . Truly they haue made mee thinke of the Sophister , that with too much subtiltie would proue two Egges three , and though he might bee counted a Sophister , had none for his labour . So these men bringing in such a kinde of eloquence , well may they obtaine an opinion of a seeming finenesse , but perswade few , which should be the ende of their finenesse . Now for similitudes in certain Printed discourses , I thinke all Herberists , all stories of beasts , foules , and fishes , are rifled vp , that they may come in multitudes to wait vpon any of our conceits , which certainly is as absurd a surfet to the eares as is possible . For the force of a similitude not being to proue any thing to a contrary disputer , but onely to explaine to a willing hearer , when that is done , the rest is a moste tedious pratling , rather ouerswaying the memorie from the purpose whereto they were applied , then anie whit enforming the iudgement alreadie either satisfied , or by similitudes not to be satisfied . For my part , I doo not doubt , when Antonius and Crassus , the great forefathers of Cicero in eloquence , the one ( as Cicero testifieth of them ) pretended not to knowe Art , the other not to set by it , ( because with a plaine sensiblenesse , they might winne credit of popular eares , which credit , is the nearest steppe to perswasion , which perswasion , is the chiefe marke of Oratorie ) I do not doubt I say , but that they vsed these knacks verie sparingly , which who doth generally vse , any man may see doth dance to his owne musick , and so to be noted by the audience , more careful to speak curiously then truly . Vndoubtedly ( at least to my opinion vndoubtedly ) I haue found in diuers smal learned Courtiers , a more sound stile , then in some professors of learning , of which I can gesse no other cause , but that the Courtier following that which by practise he findeth fittest to nature , therein ( though he know it not ) doth according to art , thogh not by art : where the other vsing art to shew art and not hide art ( as in these cases he shuld do ) flieth from nature , & indeed abuseth art . But what ? methinks I deserue to be pounded for straying from Poetrie , to Oratory : but both haue such an affinitie in the wordish consideration , that I think this digression will make my meaning receiue the fuller vnderstanding : which is not to take vpon me to teach Poets how they should do , but only finding my selfe sicke among the rest , to shew some one or two spots of the common infection growne among the most part of writers ; that acknowledging our selues somewhat awry , wee may bende to the right vse both of matter and manner . Whereto our language giueth vs great occasion , being indeed capable of any excellent exercising of it . I knowe some will say it is a mingled language : And why not , so much the better , taking the best of both the other ? Another will say , it wanteth Grammer . Nay truly it hath that praise that it wants not Grammer ; for Grammer it might haue , but it needs it not , being so easie in it selfe , and so voyd of those combersome differences of Cases , Genders , Moods , & Tenses , which I thinke was a peece of the Tower of Babilons curse , that a man should be put to schoole to learn his mother tongue . But for the vttering sweetly and properly the conceit of the minde , which is the end of speech , that hath it equally with any other tongue in the world . And is perticularly happy in compositions of two or three wordes togither , neare the Greeke , farre beyond the Latine , which is one of the greatest bewties can be in a language . Now of versefying , there are two sorts , the one auncient , the other moderne . The auncient marked the quantitie of each sillable , and according to that , framed his verse : The moderne , obseruing onely number , with some regard of the accent ; the chiefe life of it , standeth in that like sounding of the words , which we call Rime . Whether of these be the more excellent , wold bear many speeches , the ancient no doubt more fit for Musick , both words and time obseruing quantitie , and more fit , liuely to expresse diuers passions by the low or loftie sound of the well-wayed sillable . The latter likewise with his rime striketh a certaine Musicke to the eare : and in fine , since it dooth delight , though by an other way , it obtaineth the same purpose , there being in eitner sweetnesse , and wanting in neither , maiestie . Truly the English before any Vulgare language , I know is fit for both sorts : for , for the auncient , the Italian is so full of Vowels , that it must euer be combred with Elisions . The Duch so of the other side with Consonants , that they cannot yeeld the sweete slyding , fit for a Verse . The French in his whole language , hath not one word that hath his accent in the last sillable , sauing two , called Antepenultima ; and little more hath the Spanish , and therefore verie gracelesly may they vse Dactiles . The English is subiect to none of these defects . Now for Rime , though we doo not obserue quantie , yet wee obserue the Accent verie precisely , which other languages either cannot do , or will not do so absolutely . That Caesura , or breathing place in the midst of the Verse , neither Italian nor Spanish haue : the French and we , neuer almost faile off . Lastly , euen the verie Rime it selfe , the Italian cannot put it in the last sillable , by the French named the Masculine Rime ; but still in the next to the last , which the French call the Female ; or the next before that , which the Italian Sdrucciola : the example of the former , is Buono , Suono , of the Sdrucciola , is Femina , Semina . The French of the other side , hath both the Male as Bon , Son ; and the Female , as Plaise , Taise ; but the Sdrucciola he hath not : where the English hath all three , as Du , Trew , Father , Rather , Motion , Potion , with much more which might be sayd , but that alreadie I finde the triflings of this discourse is much too much enlarged . So that since the euer-praise woorthie Poesie is full of vertue breeding delightfulnesse , and voyd of no gift that ought to be in the noble name of learning , since the blames layd against it , are either false or feeble , since the cause why it is not esteemed in England , is the fault of Poet-apes , not Poets . Since lastly our tongue is most fit to honour Poesie , and to bee honoured by Poesie , I coniure you all that haue had the euill luck to read this inck-wasting toy of mine , euen in the name of the nine Muses , no more to scorne the sacred misteries of Poesie . No more to laugh at the name of Poets , as though they were next inheritors to fooles ; no more to iest at the reuerent title of a Rimer , but to beleeue with Aristotle , that they were the auncient Treasurers of the Grecians diuinitie ; to beleeue with Bembus , that they were first bringers in of all Ciuilitie ; to beleeue with Scalliger that no Philosophers precepts can sooner make you an honest man , then the reading of Virgil ; to beleeue with Clauserus , the Translator of Cornutus , that it pleased the heauenly deitie by Hesiod and Homer , vnder the vaile of Fables to giue vs all knowledge , Logicke , Rhetoricke , Philosophie , naturall and morall , and Quid non ? To beleeue with me , that there are many misteries contained in Poetrie , which of purpose were written darkly , least by prophane wits it should be abused : To beleeue with Landin , that they are so beloued of the Gods , that whatsoeuer they write , proceeds of a diuine furie . Lastly , to beleeue themselues when they tell you they will make you immortal by their verses . Thus doing , your name shall florish in the Printers shops . Thus doing you shal be of kin to many a Poeticall Preface . Thus doing , you shal be most faire , most rich , most wise , most all : you shall dwel vpon Superlatiues . Thus doing , though you be Libertino patre natus , you shall sodeinly grow Herculea proles . Si quid mea Carmina possunt . Thus doing , your soule shall be placed with Dantes Beatrix , or Virgils Anchises . But if ( fie of such a but ) you bee borne so neare the dull-making Cataract of Nilus , that you cannot heare the Planet-like Musicke of Poetrie ; if you haue so earth-creeping a mind that it cannot lift it selfe vp to looke to the skie of Poetrie , or rather by a certaine rusticall disdaine , wil become such a mome , as to bee a Momus of Poetrie : then though I will not wish vnto you the Asses eares of Midas , nor to be driuen by a Poets verses as Bubonax was , to hang himselfe , nor to be rimed to death as is said to be done in Ireland , yet thus much Curse I must send you in the behalfe of all Poets , that while you liue , you liue in loue , and neuer get sauour , for lacking skill of a Sonet , and when you die , your memorie die from the earth for want of an Epitaphe .