CHAP. XVI.
In what forme of Poesie the great Princes and dominators of the world were honored.
BVt as the bad and illawdable parts of all estates and degrees were taxed by the Poets in one sort or an other, and those of
The arte of English poesie Contriued into three bookes: the first of poets and poesie, the second of proportion, the third of ornament.
About this Item
- Title
- The arte of English poesie Contriued into three bookes: the first of poets and poesie, the second of proportion, the third of ornament.
- Author
- Puttenham, George, d. 1590.
- Publication
- At London :: Printed by Richard Field, dwelling in the black-Friers, neere Ludgate,
- 1589.
- Rights/Permissions
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- Subject terms
- Poetics -- Early works to 1800.
- Link to this Item
-
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A68619.0001.001
- Cite this Item
-
"The arte of English poesie Contriued into three bookes: the first of poets and poesie, the second of proportion, the third of ornament." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A68619.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 18, 2024.
Pages
Page 28
great Princes by Tragedie in especial, (& not till after their deaths) as hath bene before remembred, to th'intent that such exemplify∣ing (as it were) of their blames and aduersities, being now dead, might worke for a secret reprehension to others that were aliue, li∣uing in the same or like abuses. So was it great reason that all good and vertuous persons should for their well doings be rewarded with commendation, and the great Princes aboue all others with honors and praises, being for many respects of greater moment, to haue them good & vertuous then any inferior sort of men. Wher∣fore the Poets being in deede the trumpetters of all praise and also of slaunder (not slaunder, but well deserued reproch) were in con∣science & credit bound next after the diuine praises of the immor∣tall gods, to yeeld a like ratable honour to all such amongst men, as most resembled the gods by excellence of function, and had a cer∣taine affinitie with them, by more then humane and ordinarie ver∣tues shewed in their actions here vpon earth. They were therfore praised by a second degree of laude: shewing their high estates, their Princely genealogies and pedegrees, mariages, aliances, and such noble exploites, as they had done in th'affaires of peace & of warre to the benefit of their people and countries, by inuention of any noble science, or profitable Art, or by making wholsome lawes or enlarging of their dominions by honorable and iust conquests, and many other wayes. Such personages among the Gentiles were Bacchus, Ceres, Perseus, Hercules, Theseus and many other, who thereby came to be accompted gods and halfe gods or goddesses [Heroes] & had their cōmēdations giuen by Hymne accordingly or by such other poems as their memorie was therby made famous to the posteritie for euer after, as shal be more at large sayd in place conuenient. But first we will speake somewhat of the playing pla∣ces, and prouisions which were made for their pageants & pomps representatiue before remembred.