IT is justly esteemed by those which know themselves , as the onely work that is worthy of wise men , so to employ their better faculties and improve their time , that at last they may obtain an End , in which they may rejoyce eternally : After a sincere intention of this End , to prosecute it with a constant use of fit means , is the Character of a Prudent and Good man . Those which govern not their life by this Principle , do either suffer themselves to be benum'd with Idleness , or abuse the activity of their Souls in some vain employment .

The first of these two out of their great love to do nothing , can make no better wish for themselves , then that they might sleep out the other half of their time ; and it is rationall to do so , if his Rule were good for any thing , who said , He values his life at a just rate , who would be content to forgoe it for a Dream .

The other make their bargain but a little better ; far whilest they entertain themselves with things which correspond not with the Dignity of Reasonable Souls , instead of perfecting those rare Capacities with which their Natures are invested , by a generous endeavour to obtain that Happiness which God doth not envy us , they lessen themselves , clip the wings of their Souls , and bring them down from those degrees of Excellency which they actually enjoy , and make them degenerate into a brutish incapacity , though many times they take no notice of the weakness of their judgements : till they meet it in the miserable Consequences of their Actions .

It is not my purpose here to reckon up all the impertinencies of Mankind , which are the several instances of the forementioned folly , I would onely give a charitable notice of one , viz. the VVriting and Reading of Romances . This I put into the number , because for the most part it is verified in them what Justin Martyr said of Homers Poetry , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i.e. The whole Rhapsody of Homers Iliads and Odysseis , beginning and end , is but a VVoman . Yet they dote so much upon that subject , that they think with those amorous Trojans , that Helen was not onely worthy of all the labours of Homers Quill , but alfo of the sharp contentions of the Greek and Trojan swords . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : i.e. A ten years VVar is no unworthy sight , VVhen Greece and Troy for such a VVoman fight . She was a brave Woman indeed , and it was but fit that so many Gallant men should destroy one another in the Revenge and Defence of her Adultery . But Maximus Tyrius in his 15th . Dissertation doth justly reprove the folly of their opinion , and condemn the unreasonablenesse of that lavish praise .

I am not ignorant that Homer wrote upon another design , then to tell so many tales of Helen and Paris , and that Horace hath said in his Commendation , Qui quid sit pulchrum , quid turpe , quid utile , quid non , Plenius ac melius Chrysippo & Crantore dicit : i.e. He what is fair , what foul , what good , what not , Better then Crantor and Chrysippus wrot . It may be so ; for though Chrysippus was so great a man , that he was esteemed the onely support of the Stoick School , according to the Proverbiall speech recorded by Diogenes Laertius , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Yet quite contrary to the vertuous design of prudent Socrates , he spoil'd the Doctrine of good manners , and unwisely changed the substantiall precepts of a morall life for the uselesse subtilties of nice disputation . Or what if Crantor , whom he yokes with him in the disparagement , made no great proficiency either by Plato , to whose School he belonged , or Homer himself , who was his delight ? For all this fair verdict , which Horace hath passed in favour of his Brother Poet , the Morall Vertues , which so highly concern the felicity of the World , ought to be discours'd in another manner then he useth ; for he , as it may be said also of other Romancers , hath made the fabulous rind so thick , that few can see through it into the usefull sense . I do not deny what Plutarch saies , that his Verses were not written onely for pleasure , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i.e. but that a deeper meaning is hid under his Poems ; but he hath sunk it so deep , that very few can come at it . And some of those who applaud him for a Philosopher , confesse that such onely can make a gain of him , that have already attain'd a mature judgement by long study ; that is , such may possibly learn of him , who are able to teach him : But he is so unfit for others , that Plato desired they might not see him , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. for fear they should think that the Hero wrote fables , which he had good reason to expect upon the perusall .

Besides this , as many others do , he hath so form'd the representations of Vertue and Vice , that it is hard to say , which is commended and which reproved ; whil'st the Gods are frequently brought in practising Immoralities , he doth at least equall Vice to Vertue , and nourish that which he should eradicate . For , why should men endeavour to be better then their Gods ? So he in the Comedy made the Adultery of Jupiter an apology for his lust .

By these and such like instances the Greek Fathers did convince the Heathens of the imperfection of their best Authors . So one may perceive in some Romances of a later date , that the pictures of Heroes , which they have drawn for exact patterns of the most rais'd vertue are often blotted with notorious defects , as Impatience , Revenge , and the like .

But this sort of Books is most to be blamed , because for the greater part , as I said before , their chief Design is to put fleshly Lust into long stories , and sometimes not without very unhandsome mixtures , tending onely to the service of brutish Concupiscence , the nourishment of dishonorable affections , and by exciting in the Readers muddy fancies , to indispose them for their attendance upon God by their better part . For some such reason , I suppose , the great Sidney before his death charg'd his friend Sir Fulk Grevill , who had the onely Copy of his Arcadia , that he should never permit it to be made publick .

The other pieces , which fill up the intervalls of the story , and grace it with pleasing varieties , are commonly frivolous devices of wit in some contemptible matter , and serve but to some such slight purpose , as doth the writing of Verses in the form of an Egge or Hatchet , where the measures of words and sense are constrain'd to suite with the odde proportions of such figures . These are fine varities of no use , the intertexture of the by-accidents being as triviall as the principall Design .

'T is true , some of these Authors written in divers Languages , are applauded for the Elegancy of each particular Tongue , and are here and there interspers'd with good Sentences : but they are so deeply infected with noisome words , immodest Tales and Discourses , which do fatally corrupt the manners of Youth , that I cannot but assent to the Opinion of many wise men , who judge them , for all that , well worthy of the fire . Neither do I think it improper to use the words , which the old Sages of Troy silently mutter'd , when they perceived the dangers which attended the beauty of Helen , which the young men extoll'd as equall to that of the heavenly Goddesses . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. But though She 's such , let her return , and make An end of what we suffer for her sake . I could easily name them , but that Labour is needless to such as know books : and to those which do not , I ought not , by making a Catalogue , to give notice of such as I could wish burnt . If they were , they would not be greatly miss'd , as to that propriety of speech unto which they lay claim , and for which they are magnified by their Readers ; because the best Languages used in the world , may as well be learn'd from Authors that are as Elegant as Chaste .

For these reasons I think the Noble Mountaigne gave a great proof of his early wisdome , in that , as he saies , Quant aux Amadis , et telles sortes d'escrits , ils n' ont pas eu le credit d' arrester seulement mon enfance , i.e. Amadis and such like trash of VVritings had not so much credit with him , as to allure his youth to delight in them . And upon the same considerations one may well judge some Excellent Wits thrown away in writing great stories of Nothing ; and that others lose their unvaluable Time whil'st they reade them . And the rather , because , besides the direct losse , they leave the Memory so full of fantasticall Images of things which are not , that they cannot easily dismisse them : the Fancy being held in the amusement of those foolish Dreames , as we are in Sleep with the various representations of severall things , which never were nor will be in such Ridiculous Conjunctions . And when the Reader considers how prettily he hath abused himself , yet cannot he presently dispossesse his fancy of those vain Imaginations which he hath entertain'd , but is still haunted with them , and much indispos'd in Mind for more worthy Considerations ; as troublesome Dreams often leave the Body not so well affected .

There is no doubt but that most Readers of such things , ingenuously examining what beneficiall use they could make of the gains reaped from their Studies , would find themselves hard put to it to name a better then the Great VVit was forc'd to , who said , when he thought to retire from his Extravagancies , and to repose his wearied Spirit , and it still pester'd him with an orderlesse rabble of troublesome Chimaeras , he resolv'd to keep a Register of them , hoping by that meanes one day to make it ashamd , and blush at it self .

It is no wonder that these Fooleries are not easily thrown off , because of that deep impression which they make upon the affectionate part , through the cunning inveglements of Fancy . For men having indulg'd Imagination , and play'd carelesly with its Fantasms , unawares take vehement pleasure in things which they do not believe , and weep for such inconsiderable reasons , that afterward they laugh at themselves for it , and read Fables with such affections , as if their own or their friends best interest were wrapp'd up in them . What strong Expectation have they for the Issue of a doubtfull Design ? How unsatisfied are they till the End of a paper Combate ? What fears possesse them for the Knight whose part they take ? How passionately are they delighted with the Description of a Castle built in the aire ? How ravish'd upon the conceit of Beauties which owe themselves only to the paint which came out of the Poets Ink-pot ? How are they taken with pleasure and sorrow for the good and bad success of the Romantick Lovers ? They are apt also to draw to themselves or their friends such things as they read in far-fetch'd references : if the resemblances suite in some little points , they seem to do and suffer such things ; and what fits not they endeavour to patch up with some feign'd coherency .

But if in the midst of this busie Idlenesse they would admit a severe consideration of more important duties neglected the while , a few disentangled thoughts would rout the Troop of their fond Imaginations .

Some peradventure not altogether satisfied with that which I have said , may reply , What , then is Fancy uselesse ? Is it not one of the naturall faculties of the Soul ? Were any of them made to no purpose ? Is there any more proper entertainment for it then the Conceit and Language of a well-form'd Romance ? Many books , which pretend to declare better matters to us , do it so jejunely , that it is a work of more then ordinary patience to give them the reading ; and we are put into a doubt , whether or no those who wrote them did intend any should make use of their Vnderstandings in the perusall of them , or whether they were able to give that which others would expect as a reasonable satisfaction . Besides , we perceive many Books of grave Titles so afflicted with Disputes about troublesome niceties and trifling Capriccio's , that wise persons find the books as little of kin to their Names , as the Contents are of small Furtherance to their best Concernments .

To these things I answer ; Fancy is not uselesse , and may as lawfully be gratified with excellent forms of Invention , as the Eye may entertain it self with the Beauty of well-plac'd Colours , or the Sense of Smelling please it self with the odours of a delicious Rose . But though it be a Naturall Faculty , yet it is under discipline of the Supreme Governesse of Soul and Body , Reason ; and when it wanders without its Keeper , out-staying its time in allowed diversions , or transgressing the limits of such Subjects as sound Judgement permits , it returns abus'd with hurtfull delight , and instead of being us'd decently , is unworthily prostituted : in whose behalf the Rationall Guide , which is not farre off , will take notice and complain , as it doth often , and whip the Vagrant , and not spare to reproach it with the cheap reward of foolish recreation , for the enjoyment of which she mispent the time which she took from her Prayers , and , it may be , for the reading of an Idle Story neglected the Examination of her Conscience ; and afterward is made to understand that the same pleasure which was pretended to be sought abroad , is to be found at Home . For Reason is no such severe Mistresse as to detain us with Awe that is void of Love and Joy ; but besides the solid Complacencies of Vertue , allowes also the chearfull entertainments of Wit and Fancy . There are Books good store where Truths of greatest Importance are presented neither besmeared with loathsome Nonsence , nor blended with unprofitable Disputes , which adde nothing to Religion , but trouble and darknesse , and where Excellent sense and good words offer themselves in such lovely Embraces , that they are a perfect content to all beholders but such as cannot Fancy , Vnderstand and Love . Wit and ability of mind do so shine in many Religious Discourses , that we cannot justly make that pretended defect an Excuse for our deserting of sober studies . Now God forbid that we should think his Gifts so imprudently thrown amongst men , that none should be able to get them that would use them to the adorning of that which most deserves it , Vertue ; which , though by reason of its innate beauty it least needs any adventitious ornament , yet doth not scorn the light vaile of Romance , if it be of that fashion which I shall by and by describe .

It were a thing to be wondred at , that by many nothing is esteem'd witty , except Poetry and Romances , but that want of Judgement doth notoriously discover it self in those persons who are highly pleas'd with pittifull things . ` Divers of their admired Authors are so empty of true worth , that if the entire sense of their books were summ'd up , it would onely amount to some small matter as triviall as uselesse : And if most of them , whether Antient or Modern , were examined with a Judicious Eye , they would appear to be full of the grossest Indecorum's of Invention , as odious misrepresentations of Divinity , unnaturall Descriptions of Humane Life , Improper and Prophane Allusions to Sacred Things , frequent and palpable Contradictions , Sottish stories , and in short , all the absurdities of wild Imagination . I need not verifie this by bringing together those great multitudes of Instances which abound in that sort of books written in the Greek , Latin , Italian and French Languages . If any desire , they may see it done largely in the Extravagant Shepheard , especially in the Speech of Clarimond in the 13th . book , not long since translated by Mr. Davies .

For my own part I do not desire that all books should be as dull as many are , and none compos'd , as all are not , to delight ; but I would have that delight true , and the quicknesse not evaporate into Lightnesse and Vanity . Is there no joy but laughter ? Doth nothing recreate but what is fabulous ? Such as do not like true happinesse , because it is a serious thing , have a reasonable Soul bestowed upon them in vain , and would have been better pleas'd if God had made them worse , and more content if God had not design'd them to so Noble an End . But those which like nothing except what goes in a plain Rode of talk , may as reasonably desire every body to spell , when they read . Such as would not have Truth presented in ingenious Schemes of Discourse , do foolishly condemn the wisdom of the Antients , some of which we may not reprove without a kind of Blasphemy : and whilst they understand not the Excellent use of Apologues , Parables , and such like Modes of signification , they are sufficiently answer'd by the Confession of their own Ignorance . There are severall spirits in the World ; some will take a thing one way , that will not another . A Physitian will not wisely quarrell with his Patient , because he refuseth to take the Pill unlesse it be guilded . There are also some persons that need to have some things told them , which because they are guarded with the stately Circumstance of Worldly Quality , one cannot so easily come near them as in a Disguise .

There are some brave minds , in whom Riches of Conceit are attended with incomparable Expression : and Truth is not unwilling to be dress'd by such ; and those which revile them for their paines , are justly abhorr'd for their Envy , or pitied for their Ignorance . It s a mischief that distresses most little Capacities , impotently to desire that all others should be constituted after their size ; and having passionately , but foolishly , wish'd such a thing a great while , at last they begin to believe that what they desire is so indeed .

It is an ungratefull folly and a pride to be laugh'd at , when men are unwilling that others should endeavour to further their Good , because they gave them not leave to prescribe them the way for doing of it : but they should consider , that there may be such in the world which understand that which themselves do not , and are delighted with such things as they contemn .

But some that mean well , and think they are not mistaken in the sense of their proposition , humbly desire that those Excellent Wits would lay their design of Romance deeper then the Shallows of Fancy ; that so the Reader may not stick upon every Shelf of Fiction , and that the streams of Wit be made navigable for the Importation of such Wisedom as is necessary for our best life . The design to please is then as well accomplish'd ; but not terminating in the surface of Recreation , it is improv'd into a higher advantage of those nobler faculties which God hath given us .

They think also that the Way to this End is miss'd , when the Authors account their Contrivance poor , unlesse they can sail under water too . As when there is no morall design of making men better , the Work is done but by the Halves , as we say : so if that lie under ground in such deep conceits as but few can dive into the bottom of them , their labour is so far only not lost , as that some who are more ingenious will take the pains to understand what they meant .

To conclude , I have not all this while spoke my own Hopes concerning what I have perform'd in this work , but my wishes were hearty that it might neither displease nor be unprofitable . Whereas I have in severall places reprov'd some things frequently found amongst men , I only plead , that since they make no scruple of acting unworthily , I thought I might much more justly take liberty to talke of it . And since you have had the Patience to be acquainted with what I would have done , if any body be pleas'd with that which is written , I shall not be discontented ; but if they be profited too , then I shall think that I have not laboured in vain .