Perfection of knowledge the one , how immers't in swinish sloth and ignorance the other ; I am apt to wonder how it could possibly be imagin'd that the same rationality of Soul should inform alike , as we are oblig'd to beleive by the authority of Sacred Scriptures , and the Doctrine of the Souls Immortality , the whole masse & frame of Human Nature , and not rather that there should be a gradation of Notion from the lowest brute up to the Angelic Region : But that calling to mind the common maxim of Philosophy , that the perfection of Soul is the same in the Infant , as in the ripe of age , only acting more or less vigorously , according to the capacity of the Organs ; I thence collect that there is also a different capacity of the Organs , whence ariseth a different Spirit and Constitution , or some intervening cause , by which it either acts or lies dormant even in Persons of the same age : the first is that Melior Natura , which the Poet speaks of , with which whoever is amply indued , take that Man from his Infancy , throw him into the Deserts of Arabia , there let him converse some years with Tygers and Leopards , and at last bring him where civil society & conversation abides , and ye shall see how on a sudden , the scales and dross of his barbarity purging off by degrees , he will start up a Prince or Legislator , or some such Illustrious Person ; the other is that noble thing call'd Education , this is that Harp of Orphe●s , that Lute of Amphion , so elegantly figur'd by the Poets to have wrought such Miracles among irrational and insensible Creatures , which raiseth beauty even out of deformity , order and regularity , out of Chaos and confusion ; and which if throughly and rightly prosecuted , would be able to civilize the most savage natures , & root out barbarism and ignorance from off the face of the Earth ▪ those who have either of these qualifications singly , may justly be tearm'd Men ; those who have both united in a happy conjunction more than Men ; those who ha●● neither of them in any competent measure , certainly , in the conduct of their lives , less then Men , and of this last sort is compos'd that greatest part by far of our habitable World , ( for what the Nature and distinction is of the Inhabitants of other orb●is● to us utterly unkown though not any where circumscrib'd , but diffused alike through the 4 quarters ) commonly call'd to Euripides for Tragedy , yet nevertheless sleep inglorious in the croud of the forgotten vulgar : and for as many of those Names of Writers , whether more or less Eminent , as have been preserv'd from utter oblivion , together with an account for the most part of what they writ , all Learned Men especially such as are curious of antiquity are oblig'd to those generous ▪ Registers who have been studious to keep alive the memories of Famous Men , of whom it is at least some satisfaction to understand that there were once such Men or Writings in being : However since their works having by what ever casualty perisht , their Names , though thus recorded , yet as being dispeirc't in several Authors , and some of those not of the most conspicuous note , are scarce known to the generality , even of the Learned themselves , and since of later Ages the memories of many whose works have been once made public ; and in general esteem , have nevertheless through tract of time , and the succession of new Generations , fallen to decay and dwindled almost to nothing ; I judged it a Work in some sort not unconducing to a public benefit , and to many not ungratefull , to muster up together in a body , though under their several Classes , as many of those that have imploy'd their fancies or inventions in all the several Arts and Sciences , as I could either collect out of the several Authors that have mention'd them in part , or by any other ways could come to the knowledge of , but finding this too various and manifold a task to be manag'd at once , I pitcht upon one Faculty first , which , not more by chance than inclination , falls out to be that of the Poets , a Science certainly of all others the m●st●noble and exalted , and not unworthily tearmed Divine , since the heighth of Poetical rapture hath ever been accounted little less then Divine Inspiration : Pardon me therefore most Honour'd Friends , if having undertaken a Province more weighty and difficult then the account of any other Art and Science , and which beyond all others exerciseth the utmost nicety and sagacity of judgement , I ambitiously make address to the Patronage of Persons of so fair a reputation , as well in Poetry as other parts of Learning , and who are your selves partys not obscurely or without just merit concerned , whom against what ever may happen either of deserv'd or undeserv'd Censure , vouchsafe but the two first letters of their Names , and these , it is to be supposed , desire to be known onely to some Friends , that understand the Interpretation of those letters , or some curning Men in the Art of Divination ; now as to the last part of the objection , I have so much the more confidence to stand upon my own justification , by how much I rely upon this Maxim , that it is less injustice to admit of 20 that deserve no notice or mention , then to omit one that really deserves ; and here methinks there seems to arise a large feild of examination and distinction , between those that are in truth of no valew or desert , and those that are generally reputed so ; it is to be observed that some have been once of great esteem , and have afterwards grown out of date , others have never arriv'd to any esteem , and possibly in both cases the merits of the cause may have been various on either side ; yet I am apt to beleive that as it , is a more frequent thing to over then undervalew , so a universal contempt is a shrew'd , not infallible , sign of a universal indesert ; the reason is plain , for though no doubt the number of the judicious and knowing is as great if not greater then ever , yet most confessedly not so great as that of the ignorant or only superficially knowing , there are many that think , few only that judge ; therefore things of the most transcendent excellence are for the most part only valw'd by Persons of transcendent judgment , whereas the indifferent and plausible are received with general and vulgar applause . So that those Works which being advantageously publisht , nevertheless obtain no Fame , may be justly suspected of little or no worth , since , had they been excellent , they might falling into the hands of the few that judge , have been vuoy'd up by their authority , had they been plausible , they would h●●e been cry'd up by the many that think . And shall such very Ignore and contemptible pretenders , ●e allow'd a place among tht most renowned of Poetic Writers , among so many Loureated heads , with the triumphant wreath of Parnassus ? I beg your ●avourable attentions , yours in the first place , most oft equal Judges , yours in the next , most Curteous Readers , let me plead a little for the well meaners only , as something Sympathising with those for whom I ●lead ; Vertue will plead for it self , and ●eeds no Advocate ; first let it consider'd time● some that had their Poetical excellencies if well examin'd , and chiefly among the rest Chaucer , who through all the neglect of former● ag'd Poets still keeps a name , being by some few admir'd for his real worth , to others not unpleasing for his facetious way , which joyn'd with his old English intertains them with a kind of Drollery ; however from Qu. Elizabeth's Reign the Language hath been not so unpolisht as to render the Poetry of that time ungratefull , to such as at this day will take the paines to examin it well : besides if 〈◊〉 Poetry should Pleas but what is calculated to every refinement of a Language , of how ill● consequence this would be for the future , let him consider and make it his own case , who being now in fair repute & promising to himself a lasting Fame , shall two or three Ages hence , when the Language comes to be double refin'd , understand ( if Souls have any intelligence after their departure hence , what is done on Earth ) that his Works are become obsolete and thrown aside . If then their Antiquated style be no sufficient reason why the Poets of former A●es should be rejected , much less the pre●●●e of their antiquated mode or fashion 〈◊〉 of Poetry , which whether it be altered for the better or not , I cannot but ●ook upon it as a very pleasant humour , that we should be so complyant with the French custom as to follow set fashions ; not only in Garments , but also in Music , ( wherein the Lydian mood is now most in request ) and Poetry : for Cloths I leave them to the discretion of the Modish , whether of our own or the French Nation ; Breeches and Doublet will not fall under a Metaphysical consideration , but in Arts and Sciences , as well as in Moral Notions , I shall not scruple to maintain that what was verum & bonum once 〈◊〉 to be so always ; now whether the Tr●nck-Hose Fancy of Queen Elizabeth's days or the Pantaloon Genius of ours be best ; I shall not be hasty to determin , not presuming to call in question the judgment of the present Age , only thus much I must needs see , that Custom & Opinion ofttimes take so deep a root , that Judgment hath not free power to act . To the Antient Greecs and Latins , the Modern Poet● of all Nations and for several Ages , have acknowledged themselves beholding , for those both Precepts and examples which have been thought conducing to the perfection of Poetry ; for the manner of its Garb , and dress , which is Vers , we in particular to the Italians , the first of the Moderns that have been eminently Famous in this Faculty , the Measure of the Greec and Latin Verse being no way suitable to the Modern Languages ; & truly so far as I have observed the Italian Stanza in Heroic Poem , and the Sonnet , Canzon , and Madrigal in the Lyric , as they have been formerly more frequently made use of by the English than by any ▪ so except their own proper Language they become none better then ours , and therefore having been used with so good success , I see no reason why they should be utterly rejected ; there is certainly a decency in one sort of Verse more then another which custom cannot really alter , only by familiarity make it seem better ; how much more stately and Majestic in Epic● Poems ● especially of Heroic Argument● , Spencers's Stanza ( which I take to be but an Improvement upon Tasso's Ottava Rima , or the Ottava Rima it self , used by many of our once esteemed Poets ) is above the way either of Couplet or Alternation of four Verses only , I am perswaded , were it revived , would soon be acknowledg'd , and in like manner the Italian Sonnet and Canzon ; above Pindaric Ode , which , whatev●r the name pretends , comes not so near in resemblance to the Odes of Pindarus , as the Canzon , which though it answers not so exactly as to consist of Stroph , Antistroph and Epod , yet the Verses , which in the first Stroph of the Canzon were tied to no fixt number , order or measure , nevertheless in the following Srophs return in the same number , order & measure , as were observ'd in the ●ir ; whereas that which we call the Pindaric , hath a nearer affinity with the Mono●rophic , or Apolelymenon , used in the Cho●●●s of Aeschylus his Tragedies : one thing more is to be observ'd between the Italian Verse and ours , namely that the Dissyliable , which in that Language is the only way of Riming , is also in ours , very applicable to Rime , and hath been very much used formerly ; I was going to say with as much grace , sometimes , if not more , then the Monosyllable ; but that I am loath to appear too singularly addicted to that which is now so utterly exploded , especially since there are other things of much greater consequence then the Verse ; though it cannot be deny'd , but that a Poetical fancy is much seen in the choise of Verse proper to the chosen subject , yet however , let the fashion of the Vers be what it will , according to the different humour of the Writer , if the Style be elegant and suitable , the Verse whatever it is , may be the better dispenc't with , and the truth is the use of Measure alone without any Rime at all , would give far more ample Scope and liberty , both to Style and fancy then can possibly be observed in Rime , as evidently appears from an English Heroic Poem , which came forth not many years ago , and from the Style of Virgil , Horace , Ovid , and others of the Latins , which is so pure and proper , that it could not possiby have been better in Prose : another thing yet more considerable is conduct and design in whatever kind of Poetry , whether the Epic , the Dramatic , the Lyric , the Elegiac , the Epanetic , the Bucolic , or the Epigram ; under one of which all the whole ▪ circuit of Poetic design , is one way or other included ; so that whoever should desire to introduce some 〈◊〉 of Poem of different fashion , from any known to the Antients , would do no more then he that should study to bring a new Order into Architecture , altogether differe●● both from the Doric , Ionic , Corinthian , Tuscan and Composite . Epigram , is as it were the fag end of Poetry , and indeed consists rather of conceit and ●cumen of Wit , then of Poetical inventions yet it is more commendable to be a Martial in Epigram then Juvenal's Codrus in Heroic Poetry . The Epaenetic , comprehends the Hymn , the Epithalamium , the Genethliacon , or what else tends to the praise or congratulation of Divine , or on Earth Eminent Persones the Bucolic , on Eclogue , pretends only the familiar discourse of Sheapheards about their Loves or such like concernments , yet under that umbrage treats oft times of higher matters thought convenient to be spoken of rather mysteriously and obscurely , then in plain tearms : the Elegi●● seems , intended at first for complaint of crosses in Love , or other calamitous accidents , but became applicable afterwards to all manner of subjects and various occasions : the Lyric consists of Songs or Airs of Love , or other the most soft and delightfull subject , in verse most apt for Musical Composition , such as the Italian Sonnet ; but most especially Canzon and Madrigal before mentioned , and the English Ode heretofore much after the same manner : the Dramatic comprehends Satyr , and her two Daughters Tragedy and Comedy : the Epic is of the largest extent , and includes all that is narrative either of things or Persons , the higst degree whereof is the Heroic , as Tragedy of the Dramatic , both which consist in the greatness of the Argument ; and this is that which makes up the perfection of a Poet ; in other Arguments a Man may appear a good Poet , in the right management of this alone a great Poet ; for if Invention be the grand part of a Poet or Maker , and Verse the least , then certainly the more sublime the Argument , the nobler the Invention , and by consequence the greater the Poet ; and therefore it is not a meer Historical relation , spic't over with a little slight fiction , now and then a personated vertue or vice rising but of the ground , and uttering a speech , which makes a Heroic Poem but it must be rather a brief obscure or remote Tradition , but of some remarkable piece of story , in which the Poet hath an ample feild to inlarge by feigning of probable circumstances , in which and in proper Allegorie , Invention , the well management● whereof is indeed no other then decorum , principally consisteth , and wherein there is a kind of truth , even in the midst of Fiction ; for what ever is pertinently said by way of Allegorie is Morally though not Historically true , and Circumstances the more they have of verisimility , the more they keep up the reputation of the Poet , whose buisiness it is to deliver feign'd things as like to truth as may be , that is to say not too much exceeding apprehension , or the beleif of what is possible or likely , or positively contradictory to the truth of History . So that it would ●e absurd in a Poet to set his Hero upon Romantic actions ( let his courage be what it will ) exceeding Human strength and power , as to fight singly against whole Armies , and come off unhurt , at least if a mortal Man , and not a Deity or armed with Power Divine ; in like manner to transgress so far the compute of time as to bring together those that liv'd several Ages asunder ; as if Alexander the Great should be brought to fight a single Duel with Julius Caesar , would either argue a shamefull ignorance in Chronologie , or an irregular and boundless licence in Poetical fiction , which I reckon is allow'd the Poet chiefly upon this consideration ; because being supposed as he ought , to understand the ways of Heroic vertue & Magnanimty from better principles then those of common and implicite opinion , he hath the advantage of representing , and setting forth greater Idea's , and more noble Examples then probably can be drawn from known History , and indeed there is no ingenious or excellent quality either native or acquired wherewith he should not be fully acquainted , no part of Learning in which he ought not to be exactly instructed , since as a curious piece of History painting , which is the highest perfection in the Art of Picture , is the result of several other Arts as Perspective , Proportion , the knowledge of History , Morality , the passions of t●e mind , &c. so Heroic Poesie ought to be the result of all that can be contrived of profit , delight or ornament either from experience in human affairs or from the knowledge of all Arts and Sciences , it being but requisite that the same Work which sets forth the highest Acts of Kings and Heroes should be made fit to allure the inclinations of such like Persons to a studious delight in reading of those things , which they are desired to imitate .

They likewise very much erre from probability of circumstance who go about to describe ●ntient things after a modern Model , which is an untruth , even in Poetry it self , and so against all Decorum , that it shows no otherwise th●n as if a Man should read the Antient History of the Persians or Egyptians to inform himself of the customs and ▪ manners of the modern Italians and Spaniards ; besides that our Author should avoid , as much as might be , the making such descriptions as should any way betray his ignorance in antient customs or any other knowledge , in which he ought industriously to shew himself accomplish't .

There is a also a Decorum to be observ'd in the style of the H. Poem that is that it be not inflate or gingling with an empty noise of Words , nor creepingly low and insipid , but of a Majesty suitable to the Grandeur of the subject , not nice or ashamed of vulgarly unknown , or unusual words , if either tearms of Art , well chosen , or pr●per to the occasion for fear of frighting the Ladies from reading , as if it were not more reasonable that Ladies who will read Heroic Poem should be qualified accordingly , then that the Poet should check his fancy for such either Men or Ladys whose capacities will not ascend above Argalus and Parthenia . Next to the Heroic Poem , if not as some think equal , is Tragedy , in conduct very different , in heighth of Argument alike as treating only of the Actions and concernments of the most Illustrious Persons , whereas Comedy sets before us the humours , converse and designs of the more ordinary sort of People : the chief parts thereof are the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by which latter is meant that moving and Pathetical manner of expression , which in some respect is to exceed the highest that can be delivered in Heroic Poesie , as being occasioned upon representing to the very life , the unbridled passions of Love , Rage and Ambition , the violent ends or down falls of great Princes , the subversion of Kingdoms and Estates , or what ever else can imagined of funest or Tragical , all which will require a style not ramping , but passionately sedate & moving ; as for the Ethos , waving farther large Discourses , as intending a Preface only , not Poetical System , I shall only leave it to consideration whether the use of the Chorus , and the observation of the ancient Law of Tragedy , particularly as to limitation of time , would not rather by reviving the pristine glory of the Tragic all , advance then diminish the present , adding moreover this caution that the same Indecorums are to be avoided in Tragedy as have already been intimated in Heroic Poem , besides one incident to Tragedy alone , as namely that Linsie-woolsie ▪ intermixture of Comic mirth with Tragic seriousness , which being so frequently in use , no wonder if the name of Play be apply'd without distinction as well to Tragedy as Comedy ; and for the Verse if it must needs be Rime , I am clearly of opinion that way of Versifying ; which bears the name of Pindaric , and which hath no necessity of being divided into Strophs or Stanzas would be much more suitable for Tragedy then the 〈◊〉 Rhapsodie of Riming Couplets , 〈◊〉 whoever shall mark it well , will finds it appear too stiff , and of too much constraint for the liberty of conversation ▪ and the interlocution of several Persons : and now before conclude , I cannot but call to 〈◊〉 something that may be yet alledged againt some very noted Writers either Phil●s●●ph●rs , Historians , Mathematicians 〈◊〉 the like , here mentioned , who for what they are said to have written in Poetry , being perhaps but small or inconsiderable , will scarce be thought worth 〈◊〉 plaid among the Poets ; It is true indeed , they do not shine here as in their proper Sphear of Fame , nevertheless since it is not ungrateful to many to know all that hath been written by famous Men ▪ as well in the Arts they least , as those they most profess , and since the Register of one Science only may well take the greater Scope within that circuit , I judged it not impertinent to mention as well those Famous Men in other Faculties , who have also writ Poetically , as the most Famous of Poetical Writers , considering especially how largely the Name of Poet is generally taken ; for if it were once brought to a strict Scrutinie , who are the right , genuie and true born Poets , I fear me our number would fall short , and there are many that have a Fame deservedly for what they have writ , even in Poetry it self , who if they came to the rest , I question how well they would endure to hold open their Eagle eys against the Sun : Wit , Ingenuity , and Learning in Verse , even Elegancy it self , though that comes neerest , are one thing , true Native Poetry is another ; in which there is a certain Air and Spirit ; which perhaps the most Learned and judicious in other Arts do not perfectly apprehend , much less is it attainable by any Study or Industry ; nay though all the Laws of Heroic Poem , all the Laws of Tragedy were exactly observed , yet still this tour entrejeant , this Poetic Energie , if I may so call it , would be required to give life to all the rest , which shines through the roughest most unpolish't and antiquated Language , and may happly be wanting , in the most polite and reformed : let us observe Spencer , with all his Rustie , obsolete words , with all his rough-hewn clowterly Verses ; yet take him throughout , and we shall find in him a gracefull and Poetic Majesty : in like manner Shakespear , in spight of all his unfiled expressions , his rambling and indigested Fancys , the laughter of the Critical , yet must be confess 't a Poet above many that go beyond him in Literature some degrees . All this while it would be very unreasonable that those who have but attempted well , much m●re those who have been learned , judicious or Ingenuous in Verse should be forgotten and left out of the circuit of Poets , in the larger acceptation .

Thus , most Worthy Arbiters , I have layd before you the reason and occasion of this design , have Apologized for what I judg'd most obnoxious to Censure or Objection ; have lastly , deliver'd my own sentiment in some things relating to Poetry , wherein , if I have differ'd ought from the received opinion , I can safely aver , that I have not done it out of affectation of singularity , but from a different apprehension , which a strict inquiry into the truth of things ( for there is also a Right and a Wrong , a Best and a Worst , as well in Poetical as other Assertions ▪ ) hath suggested to my reason , perswading my self , that no right judgement can be given , or distinction made in the Writings of This or That Author , in whatevor Art or Science ; but , without taking ought upon trust , by an unbiass'd , and , from the knowledge of ancient Authors ; judicious examination of each ; being also sufficiently assur'd of the concurrence with me in this matter , of all impartial Readers ; of yours especially , m● most honoured Friends , whom I wish that fate which I am concern'd in for all deserving Writers , a lasting Fame , equal to the merit 〈◊〉 what you have so advantagiously publisht to the World .