THere is nothing in the world of so nice and ticklish a nature as Poetry , a thing which consists all in extremes , and like a Melon is either all gold or dirt . 'T is that which if it proceed from a regular and a great Mind , not only ravishes and astonishes the present , but establishes it self an Empire in the future time . But as it happens in the life of man , that Vices are infinitely more numerous then Vertues , so it happens in Poetry ( which is the Representation of the Life of man ) that the offences of it are innumerable , the excellencies very rare and few . For it being a chymical extraction of all that the action of man can present , or the mind of man think , and requiring not only great happiness of Thought , but also a noble restraint of Judgment , over and above some fury or enthusiasm , which may strike life into all the rest ; it hath been a thing so inaccessibly seated , that he observ'd very well that said , The number of Poets truly so called have not been as many as the Ages they lived in . Whereas , on the other side , the delight which tickles younger minds , puts them also on emulation ; and the motions of the imagination being swift and easie , and commonly the weakest minds most fruitfull , in regard they refuse nothing , hath been that which hath begot into the world huge numbers of little and impertinent Poets , who have spawn'd forth things , which though they were crooked and deformed in themselves , yet so blind hath the people been , that they have found esteem , which after some small time hath turn'd to Reverence and Authority . So that even some spirits of a better mould have been seduc'd to the same opinion , and expected no small glory , if they could but arrive at a good imitation : A humour so generally unfortunate , that unless it be Virgil ( and yet some great men have not been wanting to dispute it ) there is none that I know of , but hath multiplied the faults of his predecessor . For aiming ●ither immediately to please , by descending to put sottish lownesses as lay level to the people , they have left behind them , as great matters , some very pittifull and ridiculous fooleries , or at least things so common and so mean , that they might have been said by any man on this side an Ideot . Others that have bid at more magnificence , consulting rather with their own dark and narrow imaginations then with the passions and actions of men , instead of representing noble and generous images of Life , have straid into the greater Grotesques and madnesses imaginable . Hence Ho●er , who though I cannot think the eyes of his Body blind , yet consulting with those 〈◊〉 ones of his Mind , or taking upon trust the Old-wives tales of his time , hath left us so odd an account both of Divinity and Mankind , that I profess , to me is one of the greatest wonders that I have , how through so many serious Ages his reputation hath continued in that strength and youth , were it not that I consider that the Generality of mankinde are wholly led away with their first thoughts , and are guided by Authority and Tradition , rather then satisfied with the scrutiny of their own reason ; and for that of painting him vomiting , and the others licking it up , as the humor is nasty enough , so had it been as false , had not that great disease of imitation so pestered Poetry since she was first known among men , and her own dazling greatness made men willing to look upon her by reflection ; besides that , there is a kinde of laziness in the mindes of most men , that make them sit down with things formerly thought on by others , and never to look after any enlargements or discoveries of their own . And as this hath extreamly pestered Poetry , so hath it been fatal even to Philosophy , which professes a severe inquest of Truth , which certainly should enlarge to greater variety and extent of thought , then a business intended only for pleasure and all capacities , since we see how few heads of Philosophy there have been , and how many followers ; and what an infinite number hath follow'd Aristotle , for so many centuries together , in respect of those very few exalted and heroical spirits , who have disdain'd the fetters of Tradition and Acquiescence , and generally broke loose , and discovered New Worlds of Knowledge .

Others there have been , who willing out of what had been left by others , to melt down what they thought fitting into their own works , that have not been much more lucky then the former , but only disguis'd foolery from one shape to another ; or else grave and serious things into things very ridiculous . Thus Ovid by bringing Hieroglyphical learning into literal Fables , hath amass'd together a sort of the oddest and most childish whimses that ever were . Thus Ari●●o making bold with the Legend , hath taken a good many actions , intended there for actions of Vertue , Chastity and Devotion , and transform'd them into Amorous or Marshal Extravagancies . Nay , and thus many men not weighing discreetly the differences of times , persons and places , which they have had to represent , have fallen into errors very misbecoming . The Indecorum of Homers gods , the fault in Virgils Chronology , Tasso making Christians speak like Heathens , Spencers confusion , and different choice of names , are things never to be forgiven .

Nay , even that Poetry which comes to the City , and which seems rather to look upon the reprehension of Vice , then the encouragement and representation of Vertue , as it hath not wanted its several indecorums ; so hath it been several times so unfortunate as to teach that which it would deter men from . The common Rogueries and cheats presented in Plays , I believe have rather taught wickedness , then made it odious , since even the worst of men want the Theory of it , which that furnishes , and the Satyrists , which pretend to be the severest enemies of all vice , it is to be feared have the most taught it . There is no greater Morality in any Book I know , then in Juvenales , yet in repeating the vices of the times , he is forc'd unto such obscoenity , that he hath registred vices ugly above the common conceit of humanity , and such as this age , or at least this clime hath not wickedness enough to practise ; nay things so transcendently bad he doth not forbear to mention , that even Scaliger hath adjudged him not fit for Christian ears : Not but in all these Books somewhat considerable is scattered up and down , but the mischief is , that the generous and noble parts are so outnumbred by the light , flat , and impertinent , that they hold no proportion at all . But as the mind of man easily receives the worst impressions , but is very difficulty labour'd into vertue ; so among things of this nature , finding things so unwholsome , and that so commonly , it very easily swallows them , and neglects the other . But among all Books that ever were thought on , those of Knight-Errantry and Shepherdry have been so excellently trivial and naughty , that it would amuse a good judgement to consider into what strange and ●ast absurdities some imaginations have straggl'd ? what odde and needless impossibilities , what ill preservation of Character ? what impropriety of actions , the same actions and method perpetually repeated , though in a new dress . The Knight constantly killing the Gyant , or it may be whole Squadrons ; the Damosel certainly to be relieved just upon the point of ravishing , a little childe carried away out of his cradle , after some twenty years discovered to be the Son of some great Prince ; a Girl after seven years wandring and cohabiting , and being stole , confirm'd to be a Virgin , either by a Panterb , Fire , or a Fountain : and lastly all ending in marrriage , and that all of a day , and in the same place ; where to make up the number , some body must be fresh discovered , some suddenly change their affections , and others rise as it were from the dead .

These are the noble entertainments of Books of this kinde , which how profitable they are , you may judge ; how pernicious , 't is easily seen , if they meet but with an intentive Melancholy , and a spirit apt to be overborn by such follies . Such a one was our LYSIS , who is here presented , one that thought their Sottises , examples of life , and those other impertinent circumstances which they bring , producible into present practise . And therefore by imitating them , he hath amass ; d together a number of the most considerable follies that ever were seen ; such a one hath our Author made him , and that very justly , since all the Fooleries of all Men and Books of this nature , he hath arraign'd and convicted in this one Person , and this one Book , with a design , not only judicious enough , but also profitably pleasant . For while he brings on the stage their fooleries , though with better judgement and nobler invention then ever they were before , he brings them withal so habited , that it will not be easie for any sober minde to be further enamour'd of them . Besides that , considering how pleasant such kinde of trash is , and what heads and hands it entertains , it must needs be acknowledg'd a courtesie to bring any thing that may scourge and banish it out of estimation . But because our Author treads cross to such a multitude , and is so over-voyc'd ; and for that the curious and judicious may upon the first thoughts misconceive of some passages , and the ignorant draw them into some absurdities , I shall for their sakes take the pains , out of what himself hath more largely said , and what I shall think fit to adde , to give this account for him in his vindication .

To insist on all particulars , were to make one book upon another ; and to be importunate at least to those , who in this fruitful age of Poets and Romances , must needs be acquainted wherein consist the flowers and ornaments of those excellent works , and would too much discover the nakedness of those mighty Champions of the Pe● , who when they have done all they can , are as unprofitable in the Commonwealth , as so many Vermin in a Warren . And yet they think it an injury , if they are not call'd Wits , as if it were as proper for the people to speak of them with the attributes of Wit , Ingenuity and Learnedness , as they do by that of Worship to a Justice of Peace , and expect that adoration and reverence which was anciently paid to Orators and Philosophers . But since there are withal in the world a many excellent men , who make a Recreation , and not a profession of Writing , a more particular censure will be more becoming ; and since the quarrel I am engag'd as to the other , is with their works , and not with their persons , I shall forbear to bring them into further contempt , and not envy them the acclamations of the besotted populacie , since I perceive they are so obstinate , as to be more taken with the extravagancies of those men , then with any thing relative to the publike good , or the conduct of humane life .

The first thing I shall note , is , the transportation of our Shepherd , while he contemplates those excellent Reliques he had gather'd of his Mistresses . This , it may be , may seem ridiculous , and such a stupidity as could not fall into the minde of man , however transported by his own imaginations . If I produce as ridiculous in the more serious and admired Authors , shall it be taken for good payment ? Lopa de Vega in his Pilgrim , brings Pamphilius and Nisa into Bedlam ( their extravagancies having been such , that they were taken for mad ) where Nisa findes no presents for her Pamphilius , but that which the floor afforded , dust , dirt , straws , and the like , wherewith yet he embroidered his clothes , as if they had been precious stones or feathers . Were they not worthily disposed where they were ? if this be not as extravagant as our Lysis , I know not what is . The Author of the History of Lysander and Calista , hath as good stories ; alas , Lovers put another value on things then other men ; and that Knight in Astraea , who falling in love with a Lady whom he had detain'd in chains ( being disguis'd in Mans cloaths ) pass'd his time afterward in kissing and courting the chains , and wearing them about his neck , never putting them off but when he went abroad , I think is one may well shake hands with Lysis .

That he thinks the Stars living creatures , is not so strange a Philosophy , as that of those who maintain they feed on the vapours of the earth and the sea . If you will not believe him , believe Ronsard in his hymns , who says , they feed in the Plains of Heaven all night , and in the morning the Day-star ( who is the Keeper ) brings them together , tels them over , and drives them for all day into the shade .

As for Adrians Relation , 't is natural , and such as becomes a man of his quality , who is a dull soft-headed Citizen , not much acquainted with Romances ; and the Books he quotes are such as he understands , that is , such as children go to school withall . And for his name , it becomes him better then to call him Lucidorus , or P●lemarchus ; names very fit , are they not , for a Tradesman ?

As for Lysis's demanding of Verses of the Country-Shepherd , he that knows any thing of Romances , knows how familiar it is there to have Shepherds answer one another in Verses , and the Authors make whom they please excellent extemporary Poets . As for his description of his Mistresses beauty , he is not the only man hath given such extravagant power to the eyes of a Beauty . Ask La Roque : Since 't is decreed that fire shall surprise This world , it must be that of your fair Eyes . a prophaner expression by much then that of Lysis .

And now he comes to the Dialogue with the Eccho : Which because it hath been a generall Ornament in all Love-stories and Books of Shepherdry , and is withall such a gross impertinence , our Remark on it shall be so much the larger . The Pastorals of Julietta are pester'd with them , though far-fetch'd : Nay , the witty Erasmus hath not in this been very fortunate ; otherwise why should the Eccho answer in Greek , when she was spoken to in Latine ? 'T is as if a man should ask her somwhat in English , and she should answer in Welsh or Irish . But to forgive that , when a man hath spoken ten or twelve lines , how can she answer all in one word ? But of all the Composers of Eccho's that ever were , a Gentleman of our own Country , and an Author , hath been so fortunate , that he hath brought two or three hundred into the compass of one sheet of paper , and his Conceits are withall incomprehensible : I have heard some say of them , that had they been to find out so many , they might have worn out ten Dictionaries to find out the rimes . But what our Author says in defence of himself is , that all the wonder in his was , that it was Lysis's good fortune to light on things , that Anselme could either answer or rime to with some sense .

But for the discourses of Anselme concerning the Eccho , I may say they are no ordinary invention . I could make long Remarks on the Pantomimes , which were a sort of people of old that counterfeited the cry birds and beasts . Parmeno counterfeited the grunting of a Pig so excellently well , that it became a Proverb : so that when another Actor brought a real Pig under his cloak upon the stage , and made it grunt , yet the people cry'd out , that was not Parmeno's Pig ; whereupon he shew'd them the Pig , to convince them Parmeno could do no better . This story , as it well discovers the foolishness and obstinacie of prepossessed minds , so was it a sit example for Anselme , speaking of the Eccho , which they say imitates all voices .

The Eccho which is made of Conduits of congeal'd aire , is an Invention in the Steganography of Beroaldus , but much advanc'd and clear'd up by Anselme .

Nor is his discourse of the Destinies less admirable . There is an Italian Dialogue between Life and Death , speaking as if they were the two Destinies ; and that when one hath perfected the web of a mans life , the other cuts it off . This hath more wit then that of the Ancients .

Nor are Lysis's descriptions of his Mistresses beauty so extravagant , but I can easily match them . A certain poor man had a daughter ; yet if her Beauty were truly considered , he might be said to be a very rich man ; for in her face he possess'd Diamonds , Rubies , Coral and Pearl . This is an Imagination in one of the Nouuelles . But is it not enough to say , Lips are of Coral , and so of the rest , but it must be said they can enrich a body ? If this poor man wanted any thing , he must pull out one of his daughters Eyes , or cut off her Lip , and carry it to the Goldsmiths .

This observation of his Mistresses colour is in Lysis extraordinary , and argues his invention . 'T is true , the Turks bear a great respect to Green ; Mahomet's Turbant was of it , and it is now a prerogative of those only of that race ; and if any be to be punished , for some crime , the Turbant is first taken off as sacred . But the reason why Lysis hates the Turks , is , because they know nothing of Romances and a Shepherds life .

That he calls the Kitchin-maid Goddess of the Pottage-pot , it rubs the ancient stupidity , especially that of the Romans , who put their Gods to all the offices and services they had to do . They had a Cloacina , which we may call Scavangera , or the Goddess of the Common-shores . There were no less then three Gods about one Cradle ; one kept the Child from crying , another rock'd the Cradle , a third look'd to the Womans breasts .

Now we come to the day of Judgment at S. Cloud . The examples of this kind are infinite . When London-Bridge was afire , the Country-people that saw it afar off , thought the world was at an end , and that it began to burn at this great City , where more iniquity had been committed then elswhere . The day of Judgment hath been so often foretold both by Ministers and Astrologers , that many now believe there will not be any at all . A certain rich man in Leicester-shire , upon the reading of an Almanack , bestow'd between his friends and the poor all he had , and came afterwards to beg his bread . Nay , such was the stupidity of Mankind , that even in the first Ages there wanted not Enthusiasts to amuse the people . Every persecuting Emperor was thought to be Antichrist ; nay , the Fathers were not much more resolute in this point then others . But I have no mind to shew my reading here of that , nor yet to advance the divers opinions have been held of the end of the world .

Montvalerian is a place neer St. Cloud , where live six Hermites . This I tell you , because the Author of Lysander and Calista says , that when their Majesties went to see one of them , who had not been seen in 48 years , he also saw him , and Lysander liv'd with him afterwards in his Cell .

But the people of St. Cloud are beholding to Lysis and his Poets , at least were they not the next morning ? If a Lover should say he burn'd in mid-winter , would not a simple man think he were in a feaver ? If he should say he were on the rack , and that that Fiend Love fed on his heart , as the Vulture did on that of Prometheus , would not a sober man unacquainted with Poetry think his meaning were that he was damn'd in this life ?

The Pastorals of Leon , the River Ezla , and the Shepherd Sirenus have had for their Celebrator George of Montemajor , of which book anon .

Those of Vesper , Lysis contemns , as representing things with too much probability , as Country-people may love now ; but he is for Cyrenus , Celadon , and those other illustrious Shepherds .

As for Lysis's dismission of the Rout , it 's an humour clashes not with his extravagance ; for mad as he was , he remembred that now being entred into the condition of a Shepherd , he was to live peaceably with all men , and consequently not to be transported so far by passion as to give one blow for another .

And thus much by way of Remark on the first Book , wherein I have been the larger , because I would shew how much more I might have said in justification of my Author . In the rest I shall confine my self to the most considerable heads : And so I pass to the