APPENDIX.

The before-written Treatise of the dignity of the ould Poets and their Poesies, falling into the view of some not iniudicious eyes; Among them, there arose question, how it could be, that Plato, so great a louer and honorer of the Auncient. Poets in generall, and of Homer (one of the best of them) in particular; should exclude and banish him neuerthelesse out of his Common-wealth: To which is easily and briefely answered, that, as there is no Citty, corporation, or common-wealth in the world, but differs from all others, if not in all, at least in some particular lawes, insti∣tutions, Page  83 or customes; so, most reaso∣nable is it, that such a Common-wealth as Plato formes, should more then any other, be differing from all others, in new Lawes, rules, and in∣stitutions: His intention being to frame an assembly of men, or repub∣like, which consisting onely of Reason, was rather the Idaea of what a perfect common-wealth should be, then as eyther being, or easy or pos∣sible to bee put into Act. Hee formes all his Cittizens, diuine, he∣roique, and perfectly Philosophick and wise spirits, and such as are al∣ready arriued to the summe of all in∣tellectuall height, and perfection of vertue and Sapience; And therefore can haue no need of a Homer or his in∣structions, to shew them the way to bee, or make them what they are already made: In all other Common-wealthes, the case is differing; where Page  84 Homers, Hesiods, Orpheusses, and those Fathers of knowledge and learning, are euer necessary, to allure with the sweetnesse and pleasure of their fi∣ctions, the mindes of men to the loue and knowledge of vertue and wis∣dome: So as, out of this respect meer∣ly, and not that he was at all the lesse worthy of honour and admira∣tion, (in his fit place of vse) was Ho∣mer exempt, and shut out from Plato's imaginary assembly, and excellent republike. And therefore I will con∣clude with Maximus Tyrius, who sayes (as •…arra Alexandrinus obserues *) -We ought to giue honour to Plato; but yet 〈◊〉, as we rob not the great Homer, nor 〈◊〉 him of his due and deserued prayses.