I ragguagli di Parnasso, or, Advertisements from Parnassus in two centuries : with the politick touch-stone / written originally in Italian by that famous Roman Trajano Bocalini ; and now put into English by the Right Honourable Henry, Earl of Monmouth.

The LV. ADVERTISEMENT.

Giovan Francisco Pico, not being able to reconcile the dif∣ferences between Plato and Aristotle, Apollo commands those two great Philosophers to end the business in a pub∣lique Disputation; and being therein obey'd, they do not notwithstanding part friends.

THe task which as you heard of late the Count Giovan Francisco Pico della Mirandola, that Phenix of the Vertuosi undertook by or∣der from Apollo, of reconciling the immortal differences which are discust between the two supreme Luminaries of Philosophy, Plato and Aristotle, hath been to so little purpose, as not having given any satisfa∣ction to his Majesty, nor to his Literati, it hath kindled new, and much more eager argumentations in Pernassus. Wherefore Apollo for the quiet of his State, for the agreement between his Vertuosi, and for the honour of Philosophy, caused Plato and Aristotle to be sent for on the first day of the last month, to appear before him, to whom with an austeer look he said; That there being but one truth of all Sciences, they much injured Philosophy by the diversity of their opinions; that he did love peace and agreement between his Vertuosi; that he like∣wise knew that the multitude of Sects, was that which occasioned great mischief in States; and that he might obtain from them such concord between themselves, which he knew to be altogether necessary for his State, he was pleased to use such respect to them both, as not to pro∣ceed against them with violence, but did let them know that he should be very glad that both of them would so much honour Philosophy, as to agree in opinion, in point of the greatest differences that were between them. Then turning towards Aristotle, he said, That it made not for his honour to dissent from the opinions which so great a Master as Pla∣to had read unto him in the Schools; and then told Plato, that he suf∣fered much in his reputation, that the world should see so great a Rebel as Aristotle should issue out of his School.

Both Plato and Aristotle seemed very willing to yield to each others opinion, when by good arguments, and sufficient reasons, they should be made appear to be the better; and joyntly agreed that they would dispute the business in two several chairs, hand to hand, without any Moderator. Apollo did not only accept of so glorious a defiance, but for the consolation of his Vertuosi, made papers be fixt that very hour upon the gate of the greatest Philosophy-School, and in other publique places, wherein all the Vertuosi were invited to come and see so gallant a spectacle; and to the end that those who inhabit in far Countries, might have time to come to Pernassus, and be present at so famous a contest, he allowed the two Philosophers twenty daies to appear in the field. The mean while, for the Vertuosis better commodity, many

Skaffolds were built about the great Court of Urania; and on the day appointed for the Disputation, Adriano, Orlando, Ciprione and many other modern Musitians, sung first in several chorusses, their excellent Compositions, accompanied not only by the Organs, Viols, Harps, and other grave instruments which are used at the meetings of the Vertuosi, but (according to the defect of the modern age) with the interposition of the Lute, Cornet, Theorbo, and of the very Violin, taken but a lit∣tle before out of the ignorant Consort of trivial Fidlers, who play fum fum in the meanest Assemblies. The Musick being ended, the two famous Paladins of Philosphy appeared in the field, and their dispute held for six hours together; but it was not notwithstanding possible to meet with the desired agreement. For in the curious Philosophical wrest∣ling, which is so delightfull to the Vertuosi, the Arms of solid and stout Arguments are only made use of, backs of efficacious reason, strange nimbleness of foot in apparent demonstrations; and yet that last Ef∣fort which is so pleasing to the spectators of seeing the enemy thrown flat upon his bac•…•…, overthrown and convinced by undeniable Argu∣ments, doth never ensue: For Philosophical wrestlers, though they fall resolutely to catch where they catch can, yet by means of distinctions which they have at their fingers ends, they still keep themselves on foot. These two great Luminaries of Philosophy gave such content to the standers by, as they did infinitely admire the reach of humane intellect, which having waded through all the Heavens by the excellency of her specula•…•…ion, did not only exactly know the quantitas, qualitas, and the motus of them, but is arrived even at the knowledg of God himself, and of the Divine Nature, of which she can discourse very handsomly. With these wonders did the Disputation end, which afforded as much con∣tent to the Literati, as if those two Philosophers had been perfectly re∣conciled and agreed; only Apollo, by the apparent sadness which was seen in his face, disturbed the universal mirth; wherefore great Aver∣roes askt him, whether Aristotle and Plato had not given him such satis∣faction as he desired: To which Apollo answered with a sigh fetcht from the bottom of his heart; that those two Princes of Philosophy had ful∣ly satisfied the opinion which all men had of them; but that he had seen that in this Argumentation, which would keep his mind perpetually af∣flicted: For he was forced to bewail the infinite corrupt condition of this age, wherein sensuallity was grown so great amongst men, as he who saw their hidden passions, had clearly found, that many were come to these disputations even from far Countries, rather to please the itch of the ear, by hearing the Musick, then to feed their souls by those Vertuosissimi, which he said were introduced into the world by those wicked Mounte∣banks, who in their defect of too much mingling pleasure with profit, were gone so far, as having admitted of Jack-puddings, and Pantalouns into their company, many flockt to them rather to laugh at their sports and wantonness, thento buy useful medicines for their maladies.