Miscellaneous letters and essays on several subjects philosophical, moral, historical, critical, amorous, &c., in prose and verse : directed to John Dryden, Esq., the Honourable Geo. Granvill, Esq., Walter Moile, Esq., Mr. Dennis, Mr. Congreve, and other eminent men of th' age / by several gentlemen and ladies.

An Apology for Poetry, in an Essay dire∣cted to Walter Moil Esq

IN an Age when e'ery ignorant 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sets up for a Man of Authority; and as many as can but tell their Syllabl•…•… on their Fing•…•…, without 〈◊〉〈◊〉, without Lea•…•…ning, or any •…•…xcuse for Writing, a•…•…ogate the Glorious Name of Poets, and, by t•…•…eir Scandalous 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to it, bring the Pride of Conquer•…•…rs, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Philos•…•…∣phers, into an unj•…•…st and shame•…•…ul Neglect; 'Tis the Duty of an humble and zealous Admirer of

those God like Few, whom Art, Nature, and Heav'n have evidently exalted to that Supream Dignity, to make an Apology for them, who ought not to •…•…nk under the Crimes of this con∣temptible Race of wretched Poetasters, who ought to be avoided by all that have the least Regard to their own Repose. For this infamous Genera∣tion, these Bullies of Parnassus, forsaking the hum∣ble, and quiet Call of their own Fortune, with a Sacrilegious •…•…mbition, to make a Noise in the World, endervour a Rape on the Sacred Nine: and having as little Modesty as Poetry, continually 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Favours and Enjoyment of Calliope at l•…•…h tho' like I•…•…n they caress nothing but a Cloud, the Harmonious Goddess vanishing from their Prophane Embrace. These are Sparks, who, by perpetually repeating them, talk themselves into so good an Opinion of their own Performan∣ces, that they can never be brought to think ill enough of themselves to be discouragd from their Poetical Vanity, in which they are confirm'd by the ignorant Applause of some, and the Unaccoun∣table Diversion of others, who have a Vanity in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ng themselves with caressing and indulging their Folly; tho' this is something pardonable, since the Admonition given by an old Poet to one of these Gentlemen's Inclinations wou'd be almost fruitless,

Qu•…•…d 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Celsus ag•…•… 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 •…•…ndus 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 quaerant 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Palatinus 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Apollo

They are not to be reclaim'd, nay, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Thamyras wou'd scarce effect it, the Breaking their •…•…ute wou'd not hinder their Writing, nor the loss of their Eyes their Repeating, tho' perhaps Blind∣ness might be some Advantage to their Acquain∣•…•…ance, by giving them a possibility of avoiding •…•…hem; for a Seeing Poetaster has an Hawk's Eye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one he intends to recite too, he spies him at a distance, and swoops upon him before he can make his Escape.

These are the Banes of Society, and have brought an Odium on that admirable Science they pretend to, with some People; who, tho' they have Wit, want Judgment to distinguish betwixt Pretence and Reality. Others, who ought to have regard to the Protection of the Muses, and are sensible of the difference of Merit, and Impu∣dence, are yet too sond of more ungenerous Pleasures, to Sacrifice them to the Care of the Poets. There are a Sort of Men, that love Plea∣•…•…e, but are Sordid in their Choice of it; beyond measure preferring those of the Body to those of the Mind. They value not what Expence they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at in keeping a Whore for the use of half the •…•…own, yet are sordidly Penurious in their Grati∣•…•…tions of a Poet; a look, a sigh, a senseless word 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the first, can melt 'em into Profuseness, and Po∣verty, when the Noblest Thoughts, dress'd in the most Charming Numbers and Language, shall not move them to consider the Necessity of the Author of them. Nay, tho' they value them∣selves as Men of Sense as well as Fortune, their

Dogs, and their Bottle are more their Care, than the Darlings of Heav'n the Poets.

Maecenas, and Augustus, were the only Keeping Patrons; the Poets were their Mistresses, and never were they so happy, or wanton'd so much in Pleasure, as in their Intimacy with Virgil, Ho∣race, Gallus, &c. Their Company was their Re∣gale, tho' Virgil (if we measure the Excellence of it by our Tests, Facetiousness and Buffoonry) was none of the best. I'm extreamly pleas'd with Augustus, and cou'd almost Sacrifice to his Me∣mory when I read this charming Expostulation to Horace——Iratum me tibi scito quod non in pleris{que} Ejusmodi scriptis mecum potissimum loquaris. An vereris ne apud Posteros tibi infame sit, quod videaris familiaris nobis esse. You see he was ambitious that Posterity by often reading his Name in Ho∣race's Writings, shou'd know how he valu'd him. Had our Poets this Encouragement, they wou'd surpass the Romans and Greeks too, and England wou'd have her greater Horace and Virgil; •…•…or as Martial says,

Sint Maecenates n•…•…n de•…•…nt Flacce Marones.

And,

Ca•…•…na prov•…•…unt animo deducta Sereno.

But where there must be a care of Subsistence the Mind can never have that Se•…•…eneness it ought for so Noble and Sacred an Office. What there∣fore

might we not expect, shou'd a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or Maecenas arise, from such who under all these dis∣advantages have performed so well? I hope this Apology may remove some prejudices that may oppose that Happiness, and provoke some better Pen to do Poetry more Justice than my Time or Ability wou'd permit.

If we regard the Antiquity of its Origine the No∣bleness of its Subject, or the Beauty of its Aim, or Design (which three Things are the Test of the Excellence of Arts and Sciences, in reference to each other) we shall easily 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Poesie most ancient in its Rise, most honorable in the Subjects and Matters it adorns, and most transcend•…•…ntly excellent in its Usefulness and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

First, To say nothing of other Authors 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Virgil proves from the Second Book of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Evangel. Prep. that it is of a very early Date; and from hence 'tis also evident, That it flourish'd among the most ancient of the Hebrews, who were by several Ages of greater Antiquity, than the Grecian Poets. For Moses, their Leader, having pass'd the Red Sea, inspir'd by a Divine Fury, sung Praise and Thanks to his Omnipotent •…•…∣liverer in Hexameter Verse, according to •…•…∣phus in the Second Book of his Antiquity of the Jews. Thus the Royal David too, compos'd Hymns to God, in various Numbers, as •…•…phus in the Seventh Book of the Antiquities of the Jews, in these words confirms. David therefore (says he) after he was deliver'd from War and Danger, in the Enjoyment of full Tranquility, and Peace, compos'd

Songs and Hymns to God in various and different Numbers, as Trimeters, Quinquimeters: with whom St. Jerome in his Preface to the Chronicles of Eu∣seb•…•…s agrees, where he writes in this manner. Lastly, (says he) What is more sonorous than the Book of Psalms? Which like the Works of our Ho∣race, or the Greek Pindar, now runs on Iambick Feet, now sounds with Alcaic's, now swells with the Saphic Numbers, &c.

But to come to the Gentils, we find Poetry so very Ancient that they know not its Rise, but at∣tribute it to their God Apollo, and the Muses; a•…•… Apollo, in Ovid, himself assures us.

Juppiter est genitor: p•…•…r me quod erit{que} fuit{que} Est{que} patet, per me concordant Carmina •…•…rvis.

Apollo reciev'd the Harp from Mercury, and the•…•… was made President of the Muses. By which at∣tributing the Original of Poetry to the Gods, 'tis evident that the Gentiles themselves look'd up∣on it as a Sacred and venerable Thing, above Humane Invention. From this Spring it descen∣ded as it were by Succession to Linus, (the Son of Apollo and Urania.) And Orpheus, (the Son of Apollo and Calliope) and Thamyras; These two last with Hercules, were the Scholars to Linus. We need not instance Arion, Amphion, and Musaeus, who are Poets of a very ancient Date. Their uncommon Praises, are celebrated in so extraor∣dinary a manner, that there can nothing be ad∣ded to their Eternal Glory, their Encomiums,

indeed, transcending all Belief and Understand∣ing: so much did succeeding Ages think was due to the first Fathers of Poetry, as to make their Performances more, than Mortal.

The Divine Orpheus, the Wonder of Better Na∣•…•…ure, with the Music of his Lyre and Song, drew Trees, Stones, and Beasts to be his list'ning Au∣dience, which is not so impossible, since Campa∣•…•…ella proves that all things have Sense. But the charming of Rocks, Stones and Trees, the taming Wild Beasts, and the stopping the course of ra∣•…•…id Torrents, were the least of his Performances, Hell lost its Terror, and put on a more agree∣•…•…ble Face, the tortur'd Ghosts forgot their past 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Heav'n of their present Ease, and •…•…he very Furies, grew Mild and Calm at the sound of his Melodious Verse, and Lyre; all which is •…•…dmirably describ'd by Ovid, in his Metamorphosis. These Powers did Antiquity give to Orpheus, of •…•…he Sweetness of whose Poesie, 'twou'd be super∣•…•…uous to produce the Testimony of the most an∣•…•…ient Authors. Arion and Amphion want not their Miracles, of the Dolphin and the Walls of Thebes. Of the latter, Horace, Art. Poetic.

Dictus & Amphion Thebanae condior Areis Saxa movere sono Testudinis, & prece bland•…•… Ducere quo vellet.—

Tho' there be nothing more vulgar, and com∣•…•…on, than these Fables of the Ancient Poets, and Musicians; yet do they evidently demonstrate,

that even from those Primitive Times, down to our Iron Age, these extraordinary Praises and Enco∣miums were only bestow'd on this divine Power of Poetry; that Poets alone seem'd worthy by this most Sacred Art to have the next place to the Gods themselves. So that this Universal Applause (if there were no other Motive) ought to recom∣mend it to our Admiration and Esteem.

But 'tis agreed by the universal, and unanimous consent of almost all Nations, and Authors, that Poetry not only contains all other Arts and Scien∣ces, but has this Prerogative peculiar to it self That no Rules, no Masters with the best Instru∣ctions, can teach it; unless those who apply them∣selves to this divine Science, are destin'd to the Sacred Function, by Nature, and a Genius. Whence arose that Maxim, allow'd of by all Men o•…•… Sense, Poeta Nascitur non Fit. That a Poet is Born not Made. And from hence it follows in my Opi∣nion, That a Poet derives the honor of that Name from his Nature and Genius, not from his Art 〈◊〉〈◊〉 This e'ery Scholar has, That none but the Darling o•…•… Heav'n and Nature. This may be acquir'd by a Studious Pedant, That must be born, and grow up with the auspicious Babe, for Poeta nascitur non fit.

I'm much mistaken if Polidore Virgil, do no•…•… comment on this Axiom in his first Book De Re•…•… Inventor. Cap. 8. where he says, 'Tis certain tha•…•… Poetry for many Reasons excels the other Arts an•…•… Sciences, either because no other Art is to be acquir'•…•… but by a long Application to it, or because, as Strab•…•…

in the beginning of his Geography, against Eratosthe∣nes, eloquently demonstrates, it contains all others; because of all the Arts that Humane Wit has produc'd Poetry alone, it taught by a Divine Inspiration, &c.

Cicero in his Oration for Archias the Poet, has lest us the Praise of Poets (of which Name him∣self had been extreamly Ambitious) in these words, Atqui sic (says he) à summis hominibus, •…•…ruditissimis{que} accepimus, caeterarum rerum studia, & Doctrinâ, & Praeceptis, & Arte constare; Poetam Natur•…•… •…•…psâ valere, & mentis viribus excitari, & quasi di∣vino quodam spiritu afflari; quare suo Jure noster •…•…nnius Sanctos appellat Poetas, quod quasi deorum aliquo dono, & Munere commendati nobis esse vi∣deantur.

You see, Sir, that Cicero confesses that divine Fire in Poets which himself desir'd in vain, and •…•…hat Poets seem to be recommended by the Gift, and Benefit of the Gods, to our reception. •…•…f he that felt not this Sacred Fury was sensible of this, we may credit Ovid, who by his own Experience says, De Fastis, lib. 6.

Facta Canam, sed erunt, qui me finxisse loquentur. Nulla{que} Mortali numina visa putent. Est Deus in Nobis, agitante Calescimus illo, Impetus hic sacrae semina mentis habet.

And Socrates in Plato affirms this Poetical Fury •…•…o be divinely inspir'd. Plato in his Second Book •…•…f the Common-wealth, calls Poets the Sons of •…•…he Gods, and in Lysis terms them, the Parents

and Guides of Wisdom; and elsewhere he ca•…•… Homer the Father of all Wisdom and Philosophy in these Words: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Home•…•… was the Guide and Master of the Tragical Beautie•…•… and Virtues. And Petronius Arbiter tells us, tha•…•… the Mind can neither conceive, or bring forth i•…•… Poetical Births, unless it be impregnated wit•…•… great and boundless stores of Learning; and fo•…•… this reason he says in his Satyricon, that Eumolp•…•… spoke oft'ner divinely, that is, Poetically, tha•…•… like a Man.

Those who endeavour to draw the Origin•…•… of Poetry from Singing, are not in my Opinio•…•… much mistaken. For when the Ancients endea∣vour'd to declare the Affections or Passions of th•…•… Mind in Song by the Sound, and peculiar Varia∣tion of the Voice, as it were in a more Polite an•…•… Elaborate Speech; this rude and unpollish'd Soun•…•… by degrees refind into an Art. Which, when 〈◊〉〈◊〉 became (where-ever it was) so improv'd, th•…•… with it the Praises of the Gods or Heroes, w•…•… celebrated into certain Verses or Rhimes, ga•…•… Birth to Poetry; which indeed seems truly, & real•…•… to be deriv'd from Singing, since with the Learn∣ed ev'n now, a Poet is not said, to Speak, b•…•… Sing. The antient Germans, a Warlike Peopl•…•… had no other History of the Acts of the Kin•…•… and Leaders, but certain Songs or Verses, b•…•… which they either extoll'd their Warlike Exploi•…•… or rous'd the Minds of the Soldiers to fight, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉

find in Polyaenus, Solon, annimated the Athenians, to Battle. And the Lacedaemonians Sacrific'd to the Muses before they began a Fight; that we read that the noble Heroe, Matthias, King of Hungary, us'd to be so touch'd with the Acts of the antient Heroes, as he sung 'em to his Lute, that the force with which it affected his Mind, was apparent in his Body; imitating Achilles, who sung the Praises of great Commanders to his Harp.

Another Proof of the Antiquity of Poesie, are the Sibyls, the Oracles of the Pythian Apollo, ma∣ny of which are in Herodotus; Inscriptions, Mo∣numents of Victories, Pillars, and Obelisc's, all which afford cause to believe Verse to have a ve∣ry early Original. With these the Writings of the greatest and most antient Authors strow their Works by their Authorities and Sentences, to ren∣der them the more palatable and efficacious. Nay, St. Paul is said to have convinc'd the Athenians of the madness of their Idolatry, by part only of a Verse of the Poet Aratus, and to have us'd that Verse of Menander to the Christian Corinthians.

Evil Discourses corrupt good Manners.

Thus much for the Divine, and very antient Origin of Poesie, and now we are come to the Subject of it, according to our former Division.

Tho' other Arts and Sciences afford abun∣dant matter, and a large Field for our Thoughts and Consideration; yet none can stand in com∣petition

with Poesie; for what is there in all the wond'rous Variety, and vast extent of Nature that falls not under the consideration of a Poet? All the Wonders, Mercies, and Favours of the highest God, can in nothing be more gloriously express'd than in Verse: Who can describe the Beauty of his Providence, the Bounty of his Gifts, the Sacredness of his Mysteries, with such Charms, such Force, such Excellence, as the Poet in his Melodious Numbers, Majestic Langu∣age, and Divine Thoughts. Hence it was that the Royal Psalmist David, chose to appease the Anger of an offended God, with the soothing Sacrifice of this Penitential Verses. To this we add the Hymns of the antient Hebrews, of the old Church, and of the Poetical and holy Fathers of the New; who to make their Ejaculations and Jubilees of Seraphic Love, reach late Posterity, put them into Verse, as the most agreeable, and Kin∣dred Repository of things so Sacred. Hence also (if with these Books we may mingle the Prophane) flow'd all those Hymns, Odes, Secu∣lar Poems, and Io Paeans to Jove, Mercury, Apollo, and the rest of the Imaginary Gods of Heathens. So Sacred has Poetry been esteem'd in all Ages, so Charming, and so Comprehensive, that they al∣ways judg'd what-ever was design'd for the Praises of Gods, Kings and Heroes, or for the common and universal Use, Profit and Pleasure of all Men, ought to be delivered in numbers, in Verse, as destin'd to all that was Sublime and Great. To this we owe the Geneology, and

noble Deeds of the Kings and Commanders in Homer, the common Father of all Poets, and in Virgil his Competitor of Glory; these being wrote in noble Verse, fill our Minds with fresh and wonderful pleasure, e'ry time we pe∣ruse them.

To proceed to the several Institutes of our Life, particularly the spurs to Virtues, and flight from Vice, the purgation of the manners, &c. The Funeral Griefs, and Lamentations on the Dead, and finally all those particulars that the Accidents of humane Life produce, desirable or pleasant, all which are, and have been the sub∣jects of Poems: Whence the antient Greek Au∣thors reduc'd all things divine and humane, to five Heads.

The first they termed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, under which they seem compendiously to have plac'd all that was referr'd to the Praises of the Gods, the Rights of Religion, and the Victories of the Heroes, and the Celebration of noble Acts. The second 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in which the Virtues of great and extraordinary Men, were prais'd, as Elo∣gium and Panegyrics. The third 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the use of which was to express the Virtues that tend∣ed to the purging and probity of the Manners. The forth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which performed the Fu∣neral Sorrow•…•… and •…•…amentations. The fifth they call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, under which was contain'd all that could be conducive to the Delight and Pleasures of Mankind.

Poetry having been always generously imploy'd none can call in question the Nobility and Ex∣cellence of its Subject and Matter. Tho' some perhaps may object, that Phylosophy, Law, and History, &c. treat of other things of a higher Nature, whilst they discover things from their Causes, or by Arguments, prove to others those that are already discover'd: But they are but very raw Novices in the Academy of Poetry, who are ignorant that the Elements or first Founda∣tion of most, if not all Arts, as well as their pro∣gress, are deriv'd from Poetry, and the best Au∣thors of all times have granted the Poets the first Philosophers.

For from this Treasure, or Ocean of Arts and Sciences, are all the Rivulets of Learning sprung, and have lifted up their Heads; nay, they have abundantly drawn whatever they contain of Pleasure or Artifice, from Poetry, as from the vast and Mother Rceptacle of all the Mellifluous Waters of Eloquence. To this we may add, what Strabo says, viz. Poeticem Antiqui vocant Primariam quandam Philosophiam, quae nos a pueris ad vitam institu•…•…i, & cum Voluptat•…•… doceat, cujusmodi Mores & affectus, & Actiones nostras esse conveniat. Quin nostri h•…•…mines Poetam vel solum sapientem esse per•…•…ri∣buerunt; ob eam{que} rem civitates Greciae pu•…•…ros pri∣mum omnium Poeticis erudiunt: non uti{que} merae ob∣iectationis gratiâ, sed ut prudentiae modestiae{que} prae∣ceptis imbuantur i. e. The Antients term'd Poesie a more excellent kind of Philosophy, which shou'd from our Childhood inform our Lives, and teach us with

Pleasure, what our Manners, our Passions, and our Actions ought to be. Nay, our Countrymen wou'd scarce admit any into the Number of Wise Men, but Poets; and for this Reason, the Cities of Greece ground Boys first of all in Poetry: not meerly for their Delight, but that they may be instructed in the Precepts of Modesty, and Prudence, or Wisdom.

And justly too did the Ancients tearm Poetry, a more excellent Philosophy; for if the Excellence of a thing depend on its more or less aptness to obtain the End 'tis design'd for, this Prerogative is justly given to Poetry: The End of Philosophy is to form in the Mind Idea's, and habits of Vir∣tue, and they are fixt there better by Pleasure than Pain, because the Mind is naturally averse to Pain, and propense to Pleasure. But the stiff, and difficult Method of those who are Simply Phi∣losophers, perplexes us too much with Metaphy∣sical Notions, Logical Distinctions, and a long train of Arguments, which gives the Mind a fa∣tigue to gain the Knowledge it aims at; whereas the Poetic Philosopher proposes a fairer, more adequate, compendious and comprehensive In∣struction, which the Mind is so far from labouring to Unriddle, and Understand, that it at fi•…•…st sight perceives it, is in Love with its Beauty, and gree∣dily takes the charming Impressions it gives, whilst convey'd into it by Melodious Numbers, betwitch∣ing Expression, Mighty Thoughts, and Illustrious Examples. That Great Poet and Critic Horace declares how sit he thinks Poetry for the Instru∣ction of Youth in the First Epistle of the Second Book.

Os tenerum pueri balbum{que} Poet a figurat; Torque: ab obscaenis jam nunc sermonibus aurem: Mox etiam P•…•…ctus praeceptis format amicis Asperitatis, & Invidiae, corrector & Irae, &c.

The other admirable Verses that follow these, you are, Sir, extreamly well acquainted with, which so beautifully set off the several Advantages of Po∣etry. And Hieronimus Vida (one of the best Ita∣lian Poets that have writ in I atin as Rapin assures us) in the First Book of his Poetics is of the same Mind—

Postquam igitur primas sundi puer bauserit artes Jam nunc incipiat rig•…•…s acced•…•…re fontes Et Phaebum, & Dulces Musas ass•…•…escat Amarc.

Add to this what Horace says in his de Arte Poetica

—Fuit h•…•…c Sapientia quondam Publica privatis secernere, sacra Prophanis, &c.

and the Ten following Verse which I have not room here to quote. Erasmus, that wanted n•…•… Wit, calls i•…•… a Banquet compos'd of all the Deli∣cacies, and Q•…•…intessence of all other Arts, and Sciences. And Melan•…•…hon places the Excellence of Poetry for the penetration into Mens Minds, next to the Sacred Scriptures, especially Tra∣gedy.

P•…•…ets being, as you see, the Darling Sons of the Gods, born to gr•…•…t and sublime things, and

the Corrector' and Guides of Common Life, they have not, without Reason, been esteem'd by the greatest Monarchs and Potentates of the World, and made Instructors and Tutors to Kings, and Princes: I speak of true Poets, not of of the lit∣tle Mushromes of Parnassus, the Street-repeating Poetasters. Thus Linus was the Tutor to Hercu∣les, the tamer of Monsters, and Tyrants: And Alexander the Great, with veneration, respected Homer, as the Guide, and Director of his •…•…ife, reading his Works daily, in the heat and hurry of the Conquest of the World, and slept with them under his Pillow. Ennius instructed that great General Scipio African•…•…s in Poetry, which he judg'd so advantageous to him, that he took him with him in his most weighty Expeditions, and chose to be Bury'd in the same Tomb with the Poet. Nothing has to me given a greater in∣stance of Caesar's value for Poets, than the Wel∣come he gave Catullus to his Table, the same day he had fix'd such a Brand of Infamy upon him as remains in Catullus his Works to this day. Au∣gustus, both the Patron, and Judge of the Muses, Caress'd that Noble Pair of Poets, Horace and Vir∣gil•…•… •…•…s his most intimate and bosom Friends, ho∣nor'd them as his Masters, and shower'd his Bene∣ficent Favours on them, who, without doubt in return, introduc'd him to the Sacred Penetralia of the Muses, the divine Retreats of Apollo: which made this Emperor keep the Birth-day of Virgil e'ery Year, as if 'twere the auspicious Feast of his own Success. The Emperor Julian made the

Creek Lyric Poet Ba•…•…bylides his Master, or Dire∣ctor; and Gratian after he had made a great pro∣gress in the most generous of Learning, he ho∣nour•…•…d and advanc'd his Master Ausonius ev'n to the Consulship. And Arcadius and Honorius ere∣cted a Monument to the Memory of Claudian, in the forum of Trajan.

•…•…t nothing, in my opinion, challenges the E•…•…eem of the World more for this Art, than that i•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thus the Barbarity, and Sordidness that so generally rules Mankind, and destroys, that Happiness we falsly aim at by other means,

Emollit Mores (as Ovid has it) nec sinit esseferos.

A Man may be a Divine, and yet be Covetous, and Deceitful, two Banes of Piety, Religion, and Morality; but a Poet cannot be guilty either of Avarice or Deceit, I mean a True Poet, a Virgil, a Horace, A Dryden, a Waller. And,

—Si carmina •…•…ndes Nunquam te fallant animi sub vulpe latentes. Hor. Art. Poet.

And,

—Vatis avarus, (num: Non•…•… m•…•…re est animus: Versus amat hoc siudet u- 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, Incendia ridet: N•…•…n fr•…•…dom So•…•…o, Pue•…•…e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ullam 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 s•…•…undo 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 piger & Malu•…•…, u•…•…lis Urbi.

There is no need of prosecuting the point of Esteem the Poets have been in, in the better A∣ges of the World, I will not therefore insist on the Seven Cities of Greece, that strove for the Glory of Giving Birth to Homer, nor on Alexander, who, when he took, sack'd, and burnt Thebes, spar'd the House of Pindor, and sixt this Verse over the Door.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Burn not Pindar's House,

the same respect was shew'd his House by the La∣cedemonians when they destroy'd Thebes. I'll say nothing of the honour paid to the Memory of Schesitorus, in the Octogonal Monument at the Gates of Catana in Sicily. 'Twou'd be superfluous to take notice of the Value Polycrates had for Ana∣cr•…•…n, Archelaus for Euripides, the King of Aegypt and Maced•…•…n for Menander, Ptolo•…•…aeus Philadelphus for Callimachus; and what I have said before of the Latins may suffice. But 'tis no wonder that the Politer Nations shou'd have this Esteem for the Divinest of Arts, since the very Danes, look'd upo•…•… •…•…f Old as more Barbarous, have yet disco∣ver•…•… •…•…ll a-long such a veneration for Poets, and Poesie, that on the Death of one of their Kings, they exalted a Poet to the Throne, as the most worthy to succeed the Prince, he cou'd Praise so well; as Saxo Grammaticus, and Joan. Bocerus •…•…estifie.

Without doubt by this time 'tis sufficiently evi∣dent. That if any Art merits Esteem, either for the Antiquity of its Origine, or the Nobility of its Subject, Poetry must be granted the Preroga∣tive of Precedence in Honor. Wherefore I shall say no more for a Proof of these two points of its Original and Subject, but now turn our Conside∣ration to the third Branch of my Division, viz. The End and Profit, or advantage of Poetry.

The Philosophers lay down two principal kinds of Studies, which are indeed different, but not opposite; that is, the Contemplative and the Pra∣ctical, and they give the preference to the former, because Contemplation is pleasant for and in its self, and therefore more Noble; but the Practical quatenus practical is so only in regard of some∣thing else, and therefore less Noble than Contem∣plation. But 'tis sufficiently evident, that the Stu∣dy of Poetry is for the most part Contemplative: Since no Poet is capable of forming any Noble Poem, with elaborateness and perfection, unless he first dispose his Speculations, and before consi∣der, and weigh the Materials, and the peculiar Artifice that must be us'd in setting them off to their best advantage, and in the true Ligh•…•… •…•…nd Colours. And one thing is here to be ob•…•…d, That a Poet through his whole performance, both whil'd he contrives, invents, and puts his Thoughts in Metre, is still at the same time contemplating, so that he's compos'd of Speculation and Action, whereas other Studies either only contemplate, or only precisely put in Execution the destin'd A∣ctions.

First therefore, in that way Poetry is Use∣ful in its self, and therefore admitting the former Axiom of the Philosophers, to be valu'd and per∣su'd, because Speculative. And Secondly, 'Tis Useful in regard of something else, because the Poetical Writings chiefly contain, the most beau∣tiful, and inviting Doctrines, and Instructions, the best of Precepts for the happy and laudable directing of our Lives; Noble Sayings, and Deeds, Virtues, Rights and Manners of Nations. From all which, that may be chosen for the common benefit of Mankind, that is most justly imitable, and worthy in Virtue, that avoided, that is most abominable and detested in Vice.

Contemplation and Thinking is peculiarly the Po∣et's Business, on this Depends all the Beauties of Thought, and Expression. By using much to Think, they come to a justness and trueness of Thought, they run not away by halves, with imperfect Appearances that please the Ima∣gination; they are not taken with all that gli∣sters, but by much Thinking dive into the Na∣ture of Things, and fix the Judgment to decide the Truth, or falsity of what is Charming, and Be•…•…tiful, and what seems so, at a sudden view. H•…•…e proceed Justness, Proportion and Uarmo∣ny, without all which a Poet loses half his Glory, and Reputation with good Judges. From hence 'tis evident, That the End of Poetry is Noble, since it reaches the greatest Pleasure and the su∣rest Profit, of our Minds, and of our Life. Since 'tis directed to the Praise, of the Omnipotent, the

Celebration of Virtues, the Rewards and Glory of Noble Acts, the Punishment and Infamy of Evil: Since to it we owe all the increases of our Knowledge; and finally, since it effects all these nobler l•…•…nd, it aims at.

But methinks, Sir, I hear you say, What needs all this to prove the Excellence of a Science, that carries a Natural Worth with it, and that so clearly, that like an innate Principle 'tis confess'd by all self-evident? for there is none, however dull, but does, or has attempted Poetry, with more or less success, whil'st other Artts, and Sci∣ences are not so universally caress'd. All pretend not to Philosophy, Mathematics, Law, Physic, or desire to be thought Proficients in those Arts; but ev'ry one wou'd be thought a Poet, as if with∣out being so, he cou'd not be thought a Man, so essential to Mankind does the universal and una∣nimous Ambition and Aim at it of ev'ry Man make it. I grant you, Sir, this is a sufficient Ar∣gument to any sensible Man, that considers it. But how few reflect on this, when they run down what they cou'd not obtain on their Endeavour; the greatest Railer against this divine Art, wou'd be proud to Father an excellent Poem. •…•…d it must be granted by them, That the greate•…•… •…•…hi∣losophers. Historians, Orators, Physicians, Divines, Princes, Kings and Emperors of all Ages have dis∣cover'd this Desire we mention, and have made it evident, That they either were, or fain wou'd be Poets.

To pass over the Hebrews we have already men∣tion'd

among the Roman Emperors, how few but have discover'd this Ambition? Julius Caesar, Au∣gustus, Nero, Adrian, Gratian, Theodosius, Honorius, &c. Those of Julius Caesar.

Feltria perpetuo nivium da•…•…ata rigore Forte mihi posthâc non adeunda vale.

Augustus often exercis'd this Faculty, particularly on Virgil's desire that his Aeneids might be burnt; which begin thus:

Ergone supremis poluit vox improba •…•…rbis Tam-dirum mandare Nefas? Ergo ibit in ignes Magna{que} doctilequi morietur Musa Maronis? &c.

Seneca gives us this Verse of N•…•…o's composing with his Commendatory Introduction, 1. D•…•… Natur. Quaest. Cap. 5. Quid •…•…rgo sit? Colorem non Ima∣•…•…inem ducunt; alioquin ut ait Nero Caesar diser∣•…•…ssime.

Colla Cytheriacae Splendent agitata Columbae.

More of his we might borrow from Persius, if we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…his Interpreters. Adrian returns the Poet Flor•…•…s his Complement sent him in these Verses,

Ego n•…•…lo Flor•…•…s Esse Amlulare per Tabernas Latitare per popinas Culices pati rotundas.

Nay, he was so very Poetical, that when he wa•…•… a dying, he Versify'd on his Soul,

Anima vagula blandula H•…•…spes comes{que} 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Quae nunc abibis in loca Pallidula, rigida, nudula, Nec ut soles, dabis jocos?

Those that are attributed to Gallienus, have more of a Poet, which he repeated at the Wed∣ding of his Nephews, as Trebell•…•…s Pollio has it; holding them by the Hands;

Ite ait, ô pueri, pariter sudate Medullis Omnibus inter v•…•…s; non 〈◊〉〈◊〉 v•…•…stra columbae Brachta non bederae, non vincant Oscula conchae.

And to say truth, 'tis pitty Gallienus ever spoil'd an Emperor since he wou'd have made an ex∣cellent Poet; for as Tr•…•…bellius confessest, fuit enim Gallienus, quod negari non potest, oratione, Poemate, at{que} Omnibus artibus Clarus. For Gallienus was, says he, •…•…inent in Oratory; Po•…•…try, and all other Arts. And indeed his horrid Remissions proceed∣ed from his being concent with whateve•…•… for∣tune wou'd let him have; he wanted Ambition, and was, as Horace describes a Poet M•…•…litiae piger & malus. Jul•…•…n's Epigrams are to be found in the Anthology; and Ausonius informs us, that Theod•…•…sius was no small pretender to Poetry in these Verses.

Bellandi fandi{que} potens Augustus, honorem Bis meret, ut geminet titulas: qui praelia Musis Temperat, & Get•…•…m M•…•…deratur Apolline Martem. Arma inter C•…•…bros{que} truces, furt•…•…{que} nocentes Sauromatas, quantum cessat de tempore belli Indulget lat•…•…s tantum inter castra Camaenis, &c.

In short, tho' the Spirit of Poetry decay'd a∣mong the Romans, with their Empire, yet was there scarce one that did not make some preten∣ces to the Muses. Nay, look among the Clergy of former Ages, and you shall find Popes, Bishops, Cardinals, &c. stand candidates for the Bays, as well as Socrates, Plato, Democritus, Lycurgus, Solon, Aristotle, among the Philosophers and Legislators; among the undignified Divines, Melanchton B•…•…za, •…•…facomatus Art•…•…medes, &c. the Civilians, Ulp•…•…n, Modestinus, Alciatus, Budaeus, Tur•…•…bus, and a great many others, too numerous to be here in∣serted among the Physitians, Ansonius, Fracasto∣rius, Cordus, L•…•…bius Secundus, Sinetius, P•…•…sthius, Sambu•…•…us, &c. Nay, ev'n among the Critics, a morose Generation, the Scaliger's Father and Son, the Dousa's Father and Son, Cam•…•…ranus, Mycillus, Stigelius, &c. among the Historians, Buchanan, Nat•…•… Comes, Lil. Gyraldus, Ra•…•…pius, Meibonius, Baudius, &c. Among the Rheto•…•…itians, Pontanus, Angel. Polit•…•…us, &c.

Thus much for Exotics; but (Sir) should I pretend to number the Poets, and Pretenders to Poetry in our own Nation, as 'twou'd be super∣fluous, so 'twou'd be endless. Search all Ranks

and Degrees of Men, from the Beau Lord, to the homely Swain, a keeping his Sheep, or dri∣ving his Hoggs; and as Cupid, so has Apollo been at work with 'em; the S•…•…lvia's and M•…•…ia's, the Jones and Sue have had their respective Tribute of Rhime, and from the grave Doctor of Divi∣nity, to the little Country Curate, with his Pro∣blematic Crambo's, and Hypothetic Propositions So that there can be no more doubt made of the former Assertion of all Men's Desires and Pre∣tensions to it, than that those are a Proof of its received Excellence.

Before I conclude this Essay, I shall obviate two or three Objections, made by some old morose Sparks, that have out-liv'd that little Sense their more sprightly years afforded them, and some Precisians, that build Piety and Godliness in Spiritual Railings, and a mortify'd Phiz, which are but Feints, or Blinds to Observers.

The first is, that 'tis a very useless and unprofitable Study, no Estates to be got by it, at least in this Age: That it contributes meerly to Pleasure, not to our knowledge. To the first I answer, that 'tis very true, that there is no hopes of rising to be an Alderman by Poetry; but then I must tell them, 'tis not for those to apply themselves t•…•… that place the Desires of their Souls on Mony; for a•…•… they'll never obtain that end by it, so will they never reach any Excellence in the Art, as being not destin'd by nature to it; for to a Poet, Hea∣ven gives a large and noble Soul, above the Nar∣row aim of Baggs and Hords of Treasure; and

thus far I shall grant it an unprofitable Study, as Petronius Arbiter has witness'd long ago:

Qui Pelago 〈◊〉〈◊〉, magno se saenore t•…•…llit Qui Pugnas, & Castra petit, prae•…•…ngitur Auro, Vilis Adulat•…•…r picto jacet •…•…brius Ostr•…•…, Et qui s•…•…llicitat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ad Praem•…•… peccat: Sola Pruinosis b•…•…rrel Facundia Pannis At{que} 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lingu•…•… desert invocat Artes.

No, there are the roating Billows, The Camp, the Court, and the City allotted by Fate for those that thirst for Wealth; the Muses love Tranqui∣lity, an Easie and Contented State, and teach their Darlings, that

Nec vixit male qui Natus mori ens{que} fefellit.

The Riches the Poet gains is Fame: It termi∣nates not with this life like Money, and Estate, nor can his Spendthrift Son lavish the mighty Store he has laid up, as the Miser's Son does what his Father got from Fools or Knaves. Nay, the Usefulness of this Study is opposite to getting Estates as they are generally got: It punishes Ava∣rice, rewards Generosity, softens the Mind from Barbarity to Compassion for the Miseries of others, cleanses it from Deceit and Hypocrisie, elevates it from little base Designs, to Noble and Open Actions, and so through all the Ends and Uses of this Divine Art.

As to the Second that it contributes meerly to our Pleasure, not Knowledge, that is evidently false, both from what has been said, and from a Con∣sideration that it yields not only a Necessary, but Noble Knowledge, that is, of Men, of Manners, of Virtue, &c. Nor is there any Study or Art but has been attempted in Poetry, as a short view will ma•…•… eviden•…•…. To pass over David and the He∣brews Poets, whose Excellencies are lost by the gene∣ral Ignorance, not only of the Language they wrote in, but the Custom, &c. on which many of the Beauties depend. Orpheus, Horner, Pindar, Ho∣race, &c. have celebrated the Praises of the Di∣vine Power, tho' under the Names of their Sup∣posititious Gods, and Goddesses. Among the Chri∣stians, we •…•…ind Prudentius, Juven•…•…us, Arator, Vi∣das, Mauri•…•…us, Sa•…•…azarius, Vul•…•…eius, and an in∣•…•…able Company of Sa•…•…red Writers. Astro∣logy, Astronomy, &c. has been treated of by •…•…ius, Aratus, Palingenius, Manillius, Bucha∣nan, &c. Physic's by H•…•…siod, Ma•…•…er, Lucretius, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and others. Husbandry by Hesiod, Virgil, &c. Pastoral 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Spor•…•…s, The•…•…critus, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Dantes, &c. Hunting has been dis•…•…urs'd of by Gratius Nemesianus, Natales Co∣•…•…, &c. Tragedy (which affords us a hundred •…•…able •…•…essons of Knowledge, and Improve∣ment) we owe chiefly to Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Eurip•…•…s 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I think our English Tragedians, have ex•…•…ell'd them, particularly Mr. Dryden, who in 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ll always think, has 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ou•…•… done Soph•…•…les Then for the

Acts of Heroes, we have Homer, Virgil, Pin•…•… Lucan, S•…•…atius, Cowly, Sir William D'Avenant 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this is a sort of Poem which Horace think, more Instructive than Philosophy, in his second Epistle of his first Book to Lollius.

Trojani belli scrip•…•…orem maxime Lolli, Dum tu d•…•…clamas Romae, Praen•…•…ste relegi (quidnon, Quiquid sit 〈◊〉〈◊〉, quid Turpe, quid Utile, Ple•…•…us ac melius Chrysipp•…•… & Crantore di•…•…s.

Nor are the Amorous Essays of Ana•…•…, Sappho, Gallus, Catullus, Ovid, H•…•…race, Tibullus, Pr•…•…per∣tius, with abundance of the Moderns, to be thought ill of by the Precisians, as we shall by and by prove, but granted Improvers o•…•… our Know∣ledge in the Nature of the passions, the fatigues, and pleasures of •…•…ove, as well as the Dangers and Impertin•…•…ces of Intrigue. Opp•…•… wrote o•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Nicander of Antidotes against the •…•…iting of Vene∣mous Beasts, of Herbs, and Ga•…•…dening. Ma•…•…r and Palladius, of Plants. Mr. Cowly, of Medicine, S•…•…renus, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and M•…•…llus: Of Weights, and Measures, Q 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Fa•…•…us 〈◊〉〈◊〉; which Book by some is attributed to 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, and Pythagoras, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Verse of the Precepts of Virtue, and Solon, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, of Poli•…•…s or the Administration o•…•… the Common Wealth: Wholsom, and Inst•…•…uctive Satyr, H•…•…race, Juvenal, Persius, Mr. Dryden, Mr. W•…•…herly in his Plain∣•…•… •…•…ler, and other Poets have given us; nor are the little 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be •…•…orgot, having

their Use and Diversion, tho', I confess my self no Admirer of that sort of Poetry, if it merit that Name.

From hence 'tis Evident, That we may not only learn all that can be advantageous to our Knowledge, and by consequence that the accu∣sation is false, that it serves only to Pleasure; but also that All things that are the Subjects of this Soveraign of Sciences.

There remains yet an Objection, some Men make no finall bustle about, viz.

That Poetry is too prophane in making use of so many false Gods, and Goddesses, Fanus, Satyrs, and Nymphs, and the rest of the gay Race of Fancy; and that they scatter the Seeds of Debauchery in the Minds of Youth, by their Amorous Verses, their Lustful Songs, &c. for which Reason ev'n Plato Banish'd them from his Common-Wealth.

The first part of this Objection, I'm confident, you'll think extreamly ridiculous, and that it me∣rits not to be taken Notice of. But when you shall remember that in the Third Century the Chri∣stians were so Zealous, as to forbid the reading of all Heathen 〈◊〉〈◊〉, particularly Poets, on th•…•… A•…•…count, and consider, that we have some still 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same Mind here in England, that wou'd not have the Name of Jupiter, Mars, and Venus (no, not in Pr•…•…pria quae Maribus) come into their Childrens Mouths, especially their Worships, their •…•…overs &c. I hope you will allow that 'tis not wholly unnecessary to clear ev'n this Objection.

'Tis true, these Fables cannot be condemn'd by any, but by those who are incapable to dive into the admitable use of 'em. They must con∣sider, that ev'ry Art, as well as ev'ry Language. has its peculiar Beauties and Prop•…•…ieties of Elo∣cution, to take which away (especially if, as Poets particularly do, we represent Antiquity) is to render it almost insipid, and without its most taking quality Pleasure, that best conveys Instru∣ction. Rob Poetry of this Be•…•…uty of the Fables and the Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mean the ancient Poems, so full of admirable Instruction by their means given us with Pleasure, and Delight) and you destroy the Excellence of the best of Poets, rend•…•…ing their Po∣ems Imperfect, and •…•…ame; and if any Christian Poets makes use of these Gods, there is no fear certainly of their paying them any Vene•…•…ation, when they only employ them as the Vehicles of their Designs. But enough on this Point.

The other of the Looseness of Amorous Verses; 'tis a part of the Knowledge of the World, to have a perfect view of all the Effects of Love, all its Ways, Manners, and Expressions, and those who forbid the Reading of these, take away an admi∣rable Guide to those that must Live where not to be in Love, or have to do with those that are so, is impossible, and Scandalous ev'n in the P•…•…ence. There are other advantages of the •…•…wdest Essays of this Nature, which a Man of Sense will make of them, and none, indeed, shou'd read those •…•…ut such. And that Plato banish'd Poets out of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Common-Wealth, yet cou'd he write things

of a more lewd Strain than the Worst of 'em, witness these Verses on the Kissing of Agatho, done from his Greek by Decimus Laberius.

Dum Semibulco savio Meum Puellum Savior Duleem{que} storem Spiritûs Duco ex aperto Tramite: Anima tunc aegra & Sauci•…•… Cueurrit ad Labia mihi, Rictum{que} in or is pervium Et labra pueri Mollia Rim•…•…a •…•…neri transitus Ut transiliret nititur. Tum si, morae quid plusculae F•…•…sset in Co•…•…u Oscula Amoris igni percita Transisset, & me linqueret. Et •…•…ra prorsum res foret, Ut ad me fierem Mortuus Ad pu•…•…rum ut intus Viverem.

Petronius himself has scarce gone beyond this with his Gyt•…•…n, &c. And his

Qualis nox fuit illa dii deae{que} Quam Mollis tor•…•…us! haes•…•…mus calentes Et trans•…•…udimus hinc, & hinc labellis Errantes animas. Valete curae! Mortalis ego sic perire 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Plato's Republic was but a Eutopia at best, and aim'd at new ways of forming the Minds of Men by Laws, not so agreeable perhaps to Man's Na∣ture, as more Politic Legislators have compos'd, who receiv'd this Noble Art, and honor'd its Professors with Public Veneration; being sen∣sible that it was the surest, and best In•…•…ctrix of Mankind, but that it gave Immortality to those that favour'd it with their Protection, and Generosity.

O sacer, & magnus vatum labor, omn•…•… Fato, Eripis, & populis donas mortalibus •…•…vum.

Whoever wou'd raise his Mind above the Vulgar tast, and form in his Breast noble Designs, must apply himself to a reading of the Poets; as Petro∣nius Arbiter has it.

Artis severae siquis amat essectus Mentein{que} Magnis applicat— —〈◊〉〈◊〉 pr•…•…os versibus annos Mae•…•…m{que} bibat faeli•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fontem.

As there is a Natural Excellence in being a Poet, so is there in Esteeming one and nothing, shews the Degeneracy of an Age more, in Honor, as well as sense, than a Contempt of this Divine Science, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Masters of it. So that I must in•…•…er that this Present Age is at a very low Ebb of Both; that, tho' bless'd with as great Po∣ets as ever Greece or Rome produc'd has so very

little regard to them, as not to make Public Sa∣crifices of its Dross to the Use of Two such Ex∣traordinary Men. There is a Plebeian Genius spread among us, and Generous and Noble Acts, are contemn'd and laugh'd at. But then, Sir, in so general a Defect to be Singular in Tast, chal∣lenges the more Honor; and this makes me a∣sham'd to offer so unpolish'd and hasty a piece as this at your Feet, who are not only an excellent Judge of the most difficult Things, and ev'n in the first Bloom of your Youth, have Master'd the whole Circle of the Sciences, but also have a pecu∣liar Esteem for this I plead for, and by your ad∣mirable Choice of those you converse with, shew you can let none of your Hours be lost, either with tristing Books in your Study, or Impertinent Cox∣combs in your Conversation: I shou'd not have the Vanity to say this, were I so happy as to be often bless'd with your Company, I catch it but now and then unwilling to make you do Pen∣nance for my Satisfaction; and this Consideration will oblige me to put an end to this Essay, only desiring your leave publickly to declare my self what I am; That is,

SIR,

Your real Friend and humble Servant.