iudgments of learned menne. 45. The common peoples iudgments of Poets is seldome true, and therefore not to be sought after. The vulgar sort in Rome iudged Pacuuious to be very learned, Accius to bee a graue wryter, that Affranius followed Menander, Plautus, Epicharmus: that Terence excelled in Arte Cæcilius in grauity: but the learned sorte were not of this opinion. There is extant in Macrobius (I knowe not whether Angellius) the like verdite concerning them which wryt Epigrammes. That Catullus and Caluus wrytt fewe thinges that were good, Næuius obscure, Hortensius vncomely, Cynna vnpleasant, and Memmius rough. 46. The olde wryters are so farre to be commended, as nothing be taken from the newe: neyther may we thinke but that the way lyeth open styll to others to attaine to as great matFull well sayd Sidonius to Eucherius, I reuerence the olde wryters, yet not so as though I lesse estéemed the vertues and desertes of the wryters in this age. ters. 47. Newnes is gratefull if it be learned: for certaine it is, Artes are not bothe begunne and perfected at once, but are increased by time and studie: which notwithstanding when they are at the full perfection, doo debate and decrease againe. Cic. de orat. There is nothing in the world which bursteth out all at once, and commeth to light all wholly together. 48. No man should dare to practise an Arte that is daungerous, especially before he haue learned the same perfectly: so doo guyders of Shyppes: so do Phisitions: but so did not manie Romaine Poets (yea so doo not too many English wryters) who in a certaine corragious heate gaped after glory by wryting verses, but fewe of them obtayned it. 49. A Poet should be no lesse skylfull in dealing with the affectes of the mynde, then a tumbler or a Juggler shoulde bee ready in his Arte. And with such pyth shoulde he sette foorth hys matters, that a Reader should séeme not onely to heare the thing, but to see and be present at the dooing thereof. Which faculty Fabius calleth υποτυπωσιν,and Aristotle προ ομματον θεσιν οἱ ποίησιν 50. Poets are either such as desire to be liked of on stages, as as Commedie and Tragedie wryters: or such as woulde bee regestred in Libraries. Those on stages haue speciall respect to the motions of the minde, that they may stirre bothe the eyes and eares of their beholders. But the other which seeke to please priuately with the walles, take good aduisement in their workes, that they may satisfy the exact iudgments of learned men in their studies. 51 A Poet shoulde not bee too importunate, as to offende in vnseasonable speeches: or vngentle, as to contemne the admonitions of others: or ambicious, as to thinke too well of hys owne dooinges: or too wayward, as to thinke, reward enough cannot be gyuen him for his deserte, or finally too proude, as to desyre to be honoured aboue measure. 52 The emendations of Poemes be very necessary, that in the obscure poyntes many thinges may be enlightned, in the baser partes many thinges may be throughly garnished. Hee may take away and put out all vnpropper & vnséemely words, he may with discretion immitate the auncient wryters, he may abridge thinges that are too lofty, mittigate thynges that are too rough, and may vse all remedies of speeche throughout the whole worke. The thinges which are scarce seemely, he may amende by Arte and methode. 53 Let a Poet first take vppon him, as though he were to play but an Actors part, as he may bée estéemed like one which wryteth without regarde, neyther let him so pollish his works, but that euery one for the basenesse thereof, may think to make as good. Hée may likewyse exercise the part of gesturer, as though he seemed to meddle in rude and common matters, and yet not so deale in them, as it were for variety sake, nor as though he had laboured them thoroughly but tryfled with them, nor as though he had sweat for them, but practised a little. For so to hyde ones cunning, that nothing should seeme to bee laborsome or equisite, when notwithstanding, euery part is pollished with care and studie, is a speciall gyft which Aristotle calleth κράψν. 54 It is onely a poynt of wysedome, to vse many and choyse elegant wordes, but to vnderstand also and to set foorth thinges which pertaine to the happy ende of mans life. Wherevppon the Poet Horace, calleth the Arte poeticall, without the knowledge of learning and philosophy, a prating vanity. Therfore a good and allowable Poet, must be adorned with wordes, plentious in sentences, and if not equall to an Orator, yet very néere him, and a speciall louer of learned men. FINIS. Epilogus. His small trauell (courteous Reader) I desire thee take TH in good worth: which I haue compyled, not as an exquisite censure concerning this matter, but (as thou mayst well perceiue, and) in trueth to that onely ende that it might be an occasion, to haue the same throughly and with greater discretion, taken in hande and laboured by some other of greater abilitie: of whom I knowe there be manie among the famous Poets in London, who bothe for learning and leysure, may handle this Argument far more pythilie then my selfe. Which if any of them wyll vouchsafe to doo, I trust wee shall haue Fnglishe Poetry at a higher price in short space: and the rabble of balde Rymes shall be turned to famous workes, compa rable rable (I suppose) with the best workes of Poetry in other tongues. In the meane time, if my poore skill, can sette the same any thing forwarde, I wyll not cease to practise the same towardes the framing of some apt English Prosodia: styll hoping, and hartelie wishing to enioy first the benefitte of some others iudgment, whose authority may beare greater credite, and whose |