Reflections on Aristotle's treatise of poesie containing the necessary, rational, and universal rules for epick, dramatick, and the other sorts of poetry : with reflections on the works of the ancient and modern poets, and their faults noted / by R. Rapin.

V.

POesie in general, is a picture or imita∣tion of an action; and Heroick Po∣esie is the imitation or picture of an He∣roick action, as Aristotle informs us. The qualifications he gives to this action, are, that it be one and simple, true, or that passes for true, and that it ought to be happy, commendable, and entire. He be∣lieves that it must be one and simple, to avoid confusion; that it must be true, to deserve credit; happy and commenda∣ble, to serve for a pattern and instructi∣on to the Grandees, and to be a publick example of virtue. Finally, it must be entire, that there may be nothing in it imperfect. These conditions are so es∣sential to the action, which is to serve for the Subject of an Heroick Poem, that it is altogether defective, if any one of them be wanting; but to the end the action may be entirely perfect in a Po∣em, all must go in a direct line to esta∣blish the merit of the Heroc, and to di∣stinguish him from all others: as the figures in a Table ought to have no∣thing so shining either by the colours,

or by the lights that may divert the eyes from the principal figure. 'Tis in this that Tasso was mistaken, who in his Po∣em of the Conquest of Hierusalem, makes Rinaldo do all that is shining and extra∣ordinary; it is Rinaldo that slays Adra∣stus, Tysapharnes, Solyman, and all the principal Leaders of the Enemy: 'Tis he that breaks the Charm of the Enchant∣ed Forest; the most important Episodes are reserv'd for him; nothing is done in his absence: he alone is call'd out to all the great actions. Godfrey, who is the Heroe, has nothing to do; and it is in vain that Tasso would excuse this fault by the Allegory, in a long Treatise made to that end; that is to justifie one Chi∣mera with another. Homer, whose sense was more right, by a spirit altogether contrary, makes Achilles, who is his Heroe, do all; though it is true, he strayes sometimes too far from him, and forgets him. Virgil never falls into this fault: one shall never lose the sight of Aeneas in the Aeneid, as they do of Achil∣les in the Iliad.