Second BOOK.
LYsis's contempt of good Books, shews he esteems all pedantry that is not Romantick; and for his meeting with the Satyre, 'tis an humor any one al∣most of his Authors could have furnish'd him with.
But the chiefest matter of this Book, is that of the Metaphorical Picture, which he had given directions for in the first. The descriptions of Beauty have been such as Lysis mentions, ever since there were any Poets in the world; and it should seem to be their chiefest study and emulation to describe it the more extravagantly, and the more fantastically. But the grand foolery is, that when they have describ'd their Beauties with Suns, Coral, Diamonds, Ivory, &c. they cannot let alone poor inno∣cent women that have but flesh and blood. But as for the Picture, you must needs think it was much more noble when it was in colours, as Anselme had done it: the particulars explain themselves.
In the discourse between Anselmes and Montenor, I shall quote one thing as to the Language. Antitheses and Contrarieties are mighty ornaments; as to say, Love is a pleasure full of sadness; a torment full of delight; a despairing hope, and a hoping despair: I think what Montenor saies is more gentle, If Love be a poison, 'tis a pleasant one; if a disquiet, 'tis desireable; if a death, peaceable; if a prison, there wants only liberty, and misery reigns not there as in others. Is not this better said, then to say that Love is a free prison, and an incarcerated liberty? But these things I shall leave to the observation of the Reader.
'Tis not the sea makes women more or less vertuous or perfect, nor yet more vi∣cious; but to the latter, the perseverance and iteration of mens temptations have contributed much, since it is the knowledge of all things beget the desire of them. All that I have to say, is, that the Poets who idolize them with all the attributes of Divinity, are also those that load them with all the calumny possible. A Poet shall deifie a Tripe-woman if she be his Mistress; but though she be never so handsom, if she be withal disdainful, Bear, Serpent, Viper, Wasps, Fiends, is not language fit to describe her.
As for the humor of the difference between Montenor and Anselme, whereof Lysis is Judge, 'tis ordinary in Love-stories, and 'tis the Ore of the Golden-Age, when the first man met was the Judge of all controversies. All the proceedings in this have very good Authors, but it is not to much purpose to quote them here.
As for Lysis's Serenade, his Letter, and all the circumstances of it, other Lovers have done things of the like nature, and therefore I pass them over. But as for the Letter, I must do him right, it was his own as to the composure; but for the ex∣pressions, his Countrymen Ronsard, Mar••••, and others, could have furnished him with much more extravagant and greater contradictions: but Lysis's complements came ever out of his Common-places; for he bore such a reverence to those good Authors, that he chose rather to deliver himself in their language then in his own. I heard of a Country-Gentleman, that having bought the Academy of Complements, came to court his Mistress, where after he had pass'd his Complement, he wonder∣ed she did not answer him as it was in the Book. The next time he came to London he bought one for her, that so she might be able to continue the Dialogue with him.
As for Lysis, who would light the candle at his Mistresses eyes, 'tis not more then Poetical; all his conceptions about the flyes, the trees growing, &c. betray his read∣ing to him that knows any thing.