POEM:SONG
TothetuneofaNeapolitanVillanel.
Allmysensethysweetnessgained;
Thyfairhairmyheartenchained;
Mypoorreasonthywordsmoved,Sothatthee,likeheaven,Iloved.
Fa,la,la,leridan,dan,dan,dan,deridan:
Dan,dan,dan,deridan,deridan,dei:
Whiletomymindtheoutsidestood,Formessengerofinwardgood.
Northysweetnesssourisdeemed;
Thyhairnotworthahairesteemed;
Reasonhaththywordsremoved,Findingthatbutwordstheyproved.
Fa,la,la,leridan,dan,dan,dan,deridan,Dan,dan,dan,deridan,deridan,dei:
Fornofairsigncancreditwin,Ifthatthesubstancefailwithin.
Nomoreinthysweetnessglory,Forthyknittinghairbesorry;
UsethywordsbuttobewailtheeThatnomorethybeamsavailthee;
Dan,dan,Dan,dan,Laynotthycoloursmoretoview,Withoutthepicturebefoundtrue.
Woetome,alas,sheweepeth!
Fool!inmewhatfollycreepeth?
WasItoblasphemeenraged,WheremysoulIhaveengaged?
Dan,dan,Dan,dan,AndwretchedImustyieldtothis;
ThefaultIblameherchastenessis.
Sweetness!sweetlypardonfolly;
Tieme,hair,yourcaptivewholly:
Words!Owordsofheavenlyknowledge!
Know,mywordstheirfaultsacknowledge;
Dan,dan,Dan,dan,AndallmylifeIwillconfess,ThelessIlove,Ilivetheless.
POEM:TRANSLATION
From\"LaDianadeMonte-Mayor,\"inSpanish:whereSireno,ashepherd,whosemistressDianahadutterlyforsakenhim,pullingoutalittleofherhair,wrappedaboutwithgreensilk,tothehairhethusbewailedhimself.
Whatchangeshere,Ohair,Isee,sinceIsawyou!
Howillfitsyouthisgreentowear,Forhope,thecolourdue!
Indeed,Iwelldidhope,Thoughhopeweremixedwithfear,NoothershepherdshouldhavescopeOncetoapproachthishair.
Ahhair!howmanydaysMyDianmademeshow,Withthousandprettychildishplays,IfIwareyouorno:
Alas,howoftwithtears,-
Otearsofguilefulbreast!-
Sheseemedfullofjealousfears,WhereatIdidbutjest.
Tellme,Ohairofgold,IfIthenfaultybe,ThattrustthosekillingeyesIwould,Sincetheydidwarrantme?
Haveyounotseenhermood,Whatstreamsoftearsshespent,\'TillthatIswaremyfaithsostood,Asherwordshaditbent?
WhohathsuchbeautyseenInonethatchangethso?
Orwhereone\'slovesoconstantbeen,Whoeversawsuchwoe?
Ah,hair!areyounotgrievedTocomefromwhenceyoube,SeeinghowonceyousawIlived,Toseemeasyousee?
Onsandybankoflate,Isawthiswomansit;
Where,\"Soonerdiethanchangemystate,\"
Shewithherfingerwrit:
Thusmybeliefwasstaid,BeholdLove\'smightyhandOnthingswerebyawomansaid,Andwritteninthesand.
ThesameSirenoin\"Monte-Mayor,\"holdinghismistress\'sglassbeforeher,andlookinguponherwhilesheviewedherself,thussang:-
Ofthishighgrace,withblissconjoined,Nofartherdebtonmeislaid,Sincethatinself-samemetalcoined,Sweetlady,youremainwellpaid;
Forifmyplacegivemegreatpleasure,Havingbeforemynature\'streasure,Infaceandeyesunmatchedbeing,Youhavethesameinmyhands,seeingWhatinyourfacemineeyesdomeasure.
Northinkthematchunevenlymade,Thatofthosebeamsinyoudotarry,Theglasstoyoubutgivesashade,Tomemineeyesthetrueshapecarry;
Forsuchathoughtmosthighlyprized,WhicheverhathLove\'syokedespised,Betterthanonecaptivedperceiveth,Thoughhethelivelyformreceiveth,Theotherseesitbutdisguised.
POEM:SONNETS
Thedart,thebeams,thesting,sostrongIprove,Whichmychiefpartdothpassthrough,parch,andtie,Thatofthestroke,theheat,andknotoflove,Wounded,inflamed,knittothedeath,Idie.
Hardenedandcold,farfromaffection\'ssnareWasoncemymind,mytemper,andmylife;
WhileIthatsight,desire,andvowforbare,Whichtoavoid,quench,lose,noughtboastedstrife.
YetwillnotIgrief,ashes,thraldomchangeForothers\'ease,theirfruit,orfreeestate;
Sobraveashot,dearfire,andbeautystrange,Bidmepierce,burn,andbind,longtimeandlate,Andinmywounds,myflames,andbonds,IfindAsalve,freshair,andbrightcontentedmind.
***
Virtue,beauty,andspeech,didstrike,wound,charm,Myheart,eyes,ears,withwonder,love,delight,First,second,last,didbind,enforce,andarm,Hisworks,shows,suits,withwit,grace,andvows\'might,Thushonour,liking,trust,much,far,anddeep,Held,pierced,possessed,myjudgment,sense,andwill,Tillwrongs,contempt,deceit,didgrow,steal,creep,Bands,favour,faith,tobreak,defile,andkill,Thengrief,unkindness,proof,took,kindled,taught,Well-grounded,noble,due,spite,rage,disdain:
Butah,alas!invainmymind,sight,thought,Dothhim,hisface,hiswords,leave,shun,refrain.
Fornothing,time,norplace,canloose,quench,easeMineownembraced,sought,knot,fire,disease.
POEM:WOOING-STUFF
Faintamorist,what,dostthouthinkTotasteLove\'shoney,andnotdrinkOnedramofgall?ortodevourAworldofsweet,andtastenosour?
DostthoueverthinktoenterTh\'Elysianfields,thatdar\'stnotventureInCharon\'sbarge?alover\'smindMustusetosailwitheverywind.
Hethatlovesandfearstotry,Learnshismistresstodeny.
Dothshechidethee?\'tistoshowit,Thatthycoldnessmakesherdoit:
Isshesilent?isshemute?
Silencefullygrantsthysuit:
Dothshepout,andleavetheroom?
Thenshegoestobidtheecome:
Isshesick?whythenbesure,Sheinvitestheetothecure:
Dothshecrossthysuitwith\"No?\"
Tush,shelovestoheartheewoo:
DothshecallthefaithofmanInquestion?Nay,shelovestheethan;
Andife\'ershemakesablot,She\'slostifthatthouhit\'sthernot.
Hethataftertendenials,Daresattemptnofarthertrials,HathnowarranttoacquireThedaintiesofhischastedesire.
POEM:SONNETS
Sinceshunningpain,Ieasecanneverfind;
Sincebashfuldreadseekswhereheknowsmeharmed;
Sincewilliswon,andstoppedearsarecharmed;
Sinceforcedothfaint,andsightdothmakemeblind;
Sinceloosinglong,thefasterstillIbind;
Sincenakedsensecanconquerreasonarmed;
Sinceheart,inchillingfear,withiceiswarmed;
Infine,sincestrifeofthoughtbutmarsthemind,Iyield,OLove,untothyloathedyoke,Yetcravinglawofarms,whoseruledothteach,That,hardlyused,whoeverprisonbroke,Injusticequit,ofhonourmadenobreach:
Whereas,ifIagratefulguardianhave,Thouartmylord,andIthyvowedslave.
WhenLovepuffedupwithrageofhighdisdain,Resolvedtomakemepatternofhismight,Likefoe,whosewitsinclinedtodeadlyspite,Wouldoftenkill,tobreedmorefeelingpain;
Hewouldnot,armedwithbeauty,onlyreignOnthoseaffectswhicheasilyyieldtosight;
Butvirtuesetssohigh,thatreason\'slight,Forallhisstrifecanonlybondagegain:
SothatIlivetopayamortalfee,Deadpalsy-sickofallmychiefestparts,Likethosewhomdreamsmakeuglymonsterssee,Andcancryhelpwithnaughtbutgroansandstarts:
Longingtohave,havingnowittowish,TostarvingmindssuchisgodCupid\'sdish.
POEM:SONG
Tothetuneof\"Noncredogiachepiuinfeliceamante.\"
Thenightingale,assoonasAprilbringethUntoherrestedsenseaperfectwaking,Whilelatebareearth,proudofnewclothing,springeth,Singsoutherwoes,athornhersong-bookmaking;
Andmournfullybewailing,HerthroatintunesexpressethWhatgriefherbreastoppresseth,ForTereus\'forceonherchastewillprevailing.
OPhilomelafair!Otakesomegladness,Thathereisjustercauseofplaintfulsadness:
Thineearthnowsprings,minefadeth;
Thythornwithout,mythornmyheartinvadeth.
II.
Alas!shehathnoothercauseofanguish,ButTereus\'love,onherbystronghandwroken,Whereinshesuffering,allherspiritslanguish,Fullwomanlike,complainsherwillwasbroken,ButI,whodailycraving,Cannothavetocontentme,Havemorecausetolamentme,Sincewantingismorewoethantoomuchhaving.
OPhilomelafair!Otakesomegladness,Thathereisjustercauseofplaintfulsadness:
Thineearthnowsprings,minefadeth;
Thythornwithout,mythornmyheartinvadeth.
POEM:SONG
Tothetuneof\"Basciamivitamia.\"
Sleep,babymine,Desire\'snurse,Beauty,singeth;
Thycries,Obaby,setmineheadonaching:
Thebabecries,\"\'Way,thylovedothkeepmewaking.\"
Lully,lully,mybabe,HopecradlebringethUntomychildrenalwaygoodresttaking:
Thebabecries,\"Way,thylovedothkeepmewaking.\"
Since,babymine,frommethywatchingspringeth,Sleepthenalittle,papContentismaking;
Thebabecries,\"Nay,forthatabideIwaking.\"
I.
Thescourgeoflife,anddeath\'sextremedisgrace;
Thesmokeofhell,themonstercalledPain:
Longshamedtobeaccursedineveryplace,Bythemwhoofhisruderesortcomplain;
Likecraftywretch,bytimeandtraveltaught,Hisuglyevilinothers\'goodtohide;
Lateharboursinherface,whomNaturewroughtAstreasure-housewhereherbestgiftsdobide;
Andsobyprivilegeofsacredseat,Aseatwherebeautyshinesandvirtuereigns,Hehopesforsomesmallpraise,sinceshehathgreat,Withinherbeamswrappinghiscruelstains.
Ah,saucyPain,letnotthyterrorlast,Morelovingeyesshedraws,morehatethouhast.
II.
Woe!woetome,onmereturnthesmart:
Myburningtonguehathbredmymistresspain?
Foroftinpain,topainmypainfulheart,Withherduepraisedidofmystatecomplain.
Ipraisedhereyes,whomneverchancedothmove;
Herbreath,whichmakesasouranswersweet;
Hermilkenbreasts,thenurseofchild-likelove;
Herlegs,Olegs!herayewell-steppingfeet:
Painheardherpraise,andfullofinwardfire,(Firstsealingupmyheartaspreyofhis)
Hefliestoher,and,boldenedwithdesire,Herface,thisage\'spraise,thethiefdothkiss.
OPain!InowrecantthepraiseIgave,Andswearsheisnotworthytheetohave.
III.
Thoupain,theonlyguestofloathedConstraint;
ThechildofCurse,man\'sweaknessfoster-child;
BrothertoWoe,andfatherofComplaint:
ThouPain,thouhatedPain,fromheavenexiled,Howhold\'stthouherwhoseeyesconstraintdothfear,Whomcurseddobless;whoseweaknessvirtuesarm;
Whoothers\'woesandplaintscanchastelybear:
Inwhosesweetheavenangelsofhighthoughtsswarm?
Whatcouragestrangehathcaughtthycaitiffheart?
Fear\'stnotafacethatoftwholeheartsdevours?
Orartthoufromabovebidplaythispart,Andsonohelp\'gainstenvyofthosepowers?
Ifthus,alas,yetwhilethosepartshavewoe;
Sostayhertongue,thatshenomoresay,\"O.\"
IV.
AndhaveIheardhersay,\"Ocruelpain!\"
Anddothsheknowwhatmouldherbeautybears?
Mournssheintruth,andthinksthatothersfeign?
Fearsshetofeel,andfeelsnotothers\'fears?
Ordothshethinkallpainthemindforbears?
Thatheavyearth,notfieryspirits,mayplain?
Thateyesweepworsethanheartinbloodytears?
Thatsensefeelsmorethanwhatdothsensecontain?
No,no,sheistoowise,sheknowsherfaceHathnotsuchpainasitmakesothershave:
SheknowsthesicknessofthatperfectplaceHathyetsuchhealth,asitmylifecansave.
Butthis,shethinks,ourpainhighcauseexcuseth,Whereher,whoshouldrulepain,falsepainabuseth.
***
Likeasthedove,whichseeledupdothfly,Isneitherfreed,noryettoservicebound;
Buthopestogainsomehelpbymountinghigh,Tillwantofforcedoforceherfalltoground:
Rightsomymind,caughtbyhisguidingeye,Andthencecastoffwherehissweethurthefound,Hathneitherleavetolive,nordoomtodie;
Norheldinevil,norsufferedtobesound.
Butwithhiswingsoffanciesuphegoes,Tohighconceits,whosefruitsareoftbutsmall;
Tillwounded,blind,andweariedspirit,loseBothforcetofly,andknowledgewheretofall:
Ohappydove,ifshenobondagetried!
MorehappyI,mightIinbondagebide!
***
Inwontedwalks,sincewontedfancieschange,Somecausethereis,whichofstrangecausedothrise:
Forineachthingwheretomineeyedothrange,Partofmypain,me-seems,engravedlies.
Therocks,whichwereofconstantmindthemark,Inclimbingsteep,nowhardrefusalshow;
Theshadingwoodsseemnowmysuntodark,Andstatelyhillsdisdaintolooksolow.
Therestfulcavesnowrestlessvisionsgive;
IndalesIseeeachwayahardascent:
Likelate-mownmeads,latecutfromjoyIlive;
Alas,sweetbrooksdoinmytearsaugment:
Rocks,woods,hills,caves,dales,meads,brooks,answerme;
Infectedmindsinfecteachthingtheysee.
IfIcouldthinkhowthesemythoughtstoleave,Orthinkingstill,mythoughtsmighthavegoodend;
Ifrebelsensewouldreason\'slawreceive;
Orreasonfoiled,wouldnotinvaincontend:
ThenmightIthinkwhatthoughtswerebesttothink:
ThenmightIwiselyswim,orgladlysink.
Ifeitheryouwouldchangeyourcruelheart,Or,cruelstill,timedidyourbeautiesstain:
Iffrommysoulthislovewouldoncedepart,OrformylovesomeloveImightobtain;
ThenmightIhopeachange,oreaseofmind,Byyourgoodhelp,orinmyself,tofind.
Butsincemythoughtsinthinkingstillarespent.
Withreason\'sstrife,bysensesoverthrown;
Youfairerstill,andstillmorecruelbent,Ilovingstillalovethatlovethnone:
Iyieldandstrive,Ikissandcursethepain,Thought,reason,sense,time,You,andI,maintain.
POEM:AFAREWELL
OfthaveImused,butnowatlengthIfindWhythosethatdie,mensay,theydodepart:
Depart:awordsogentletomymind,WeaklydidseemtopaintDeath\'suglydart.
Butnowthestars,withtheirstrangecourse,dobindMeonetoleave,withwhomIleavemyheart;
Ihearacryofspiritsfaintandblind,Thatpartingthus,mychiefestpartIpart.
Partofmylife,theloathedparttome,Livestoimpartmywearyclaysomebreath;
Butthatgoodpartwhereinallcomfortsbe,Nowdead,dothshowdepartureisadeath:
Yea,worsethandeath,deathpartsbothwoeandjoy,FromjoyIpart,stilllivinginannoy.
***
Findingthosebeams,whichImusteverlove,Tomarmymind,andwithmyhurttoplease,Ideemeditbest,someabsencefortoprove,Iffartherplacemightfurthermetoease.
Myeyesthencedrawn,wherelivedalltheirlight,Blindedforthwithindarkdespairdidlie,Liketothemole,withwantofguidingsight,Deepplungedinearth,deprivedofthesky.
Inabsenceblind,andweariedwiththatwoe,Togreaterwoes,bypresence,Ireturn;
Evenasthefly,whichtotheflamedothgo,Pleasedwiththelight,thathissmallcorsedothburn:
FairchoiceIhave,eithertoliveordieAblindedmole,orelseaburnedfly.
POEM:THESEVENWONDERSOFENGLAND
I.
NearWiltonsweet,hugeheapsofstonesarefound,Butsoconfused,thatneitheranyeyeCancountthemjust,norReasonreasontry,Whatforcebroughtthemtosounlikelyground.
Tostrangerweightsmymind\'swastesoilisbound,Ofpassion-hills,reachingtoReason\'ssky,FromFancy\'searth,passingallnumber\'sbound,Passingallguess,whenceintomeshouldflySomazedamass;or,ifinmeitgrows,Asimplesoulshouldbreedsomixedwoes.
II.
TheBruertonshavealake,which,whenthesunApproachingwarms,notelse,deadlogsupsendsFromhideousdepth;whichtribute,whenitends,Soresignitisthelord\'slastthreadisspun.
MylakeisSense,whosestillstreamsneverrunButwhenmysunhershiningtwinstherebends;
Thenfromhisdepthwithforceinherbegun,Longdrownedhopestowateryeyesitlends;
Butwhenthatfailsmydeadhopesuptotake,Theirmasterisfairwarnedhiswilltomake.
III.
Wehaveafish,bystrangersmuchadmired,Whichcaught,tocruelsearchyieldshischiefpart:
Withgallcutout,closedupagainbyart,Yetlivesuntilhislifebenewrequired.
Astrangerfishmyself,notyetexpired,Tho\',raptwithBeauty\'shook,IdidimpartMyselfuntoth\'anatomydesired,Insteadofgall,leavingtohermyheart:
Yetlivewiththoughtsclosedup,\'tillthatshewill,Byconquest\'sright,insteadofsearching,kill.
IV.
Peakhathacave,whosenarrowentriesfindLargeroomswithinwheredropsdistilamain:
Tillknitwithcold,thoughthereunknownremain,Deckthatpoorplacewithalabasterlined.
Mineeyesthestrait,theroomycave,mymind;
WhosecloudythoughtsletfallaninwardrainOfsorrow\'sdrops,tillcolderreasonbindTheirrunningfallintoaconstantveinOftruth,farmorethanalabasterpure,Which,thoughdespised,yetstilldothtruthendure.
V.
Afieldthereis,where,ifastakeoeprestDeepintheearth,whathathinearthreceipt,Ischangedtostoneinhardness,cold,andweight,Thewoodabovedothsoonconsumingrest.
Theearthherears;thestakeismyrequest;
Ofwhich,howmuchmaypiercetothatsweetseat,Tohonourturned,dothdwellinhonour\'snest,Keepingthatform,thoughvoidofwontedheat;
Butalltherest,whichfeardurstnotapply,Failingthemselves,withwitheredconsciencedie.
VI.
OfshipsbyshipwreckcastonAlbion\'scoast,Whichrottingontherocks,theirdeathtodie:
FromwoodenbonesandbloodofpitchdothflyAbird,whichgetsmorelifethanshiphadlost.
Myship,Desire,withwindofLustlongtost,BrakeonfaircliffsofconstantChastity;
Whereplaguedforrashattempt,givesuphisghost;
Sodeepinseasofvirtue,beautieslie:
Butofthisdeathfliesupthepurestlove,Whichseemingless,yetnoblerlifedothmove.
VII.
ThesewondersEnglandbreeds;thelastremains-
Alady,indespiteofNature,chaste,Onwhomalllove,inwhomnoloveisplaced,WhereFairnessyieldstoWisdom\'sshortestreins.
Ahumblepride,ascornthatfavourstains;
Awoman\'smould,butlikeanangelgraced;
Anangel\'smind,butinawomancased;
Aheavenonearth,orearththatheavencontains:
NowthusthiswondertomyselfIframe;
SheisthecausethatalltherestIam.
***
Thoublindman\'smark;thoufool\'sself-chosensnare,Fondfancy\'sscum,anddregsofscatteredthought:
Bandofallevils;cradleofcauselesscare;
Thouwebofwill,whoseendisneverwrought:
Desire!Desire!Ihavetoodearlybought,Withpriceofmangledmind,thyworthlessware;
Toolong,toolong,asleepthouhastmebroughtWhoshouldstmymindtohigherthingsprepare;
Butyetinvainthouhastmyruinsought;
Invainthoumad\'stmetovainthingsaspire;
Invainthoukindlestallthysmokyfire:
ForVirtuehaththisbetterlessontaught,Withinmyselftoseekmyonlyhire,DesiringnoughtbuthowtokillDesire.
POEM:FROMEARTHTOHEAVEN
Leaveme,Olove!whichreachestbuttodust;
Andthou,mymind,aspiretohigherthings:
Growrichinthatwhichnevertakethrust;
Whateverfades,butfadingpleasurebrings.
Drawinthybeams,andhumbleallthymightTothatsweetyokewherelastingfreedomsbe,Whichbreakstheclouds,andopensforththelightThatdothbothshine,andgiveussighttosee.
Otakefasthold!letthatlightbethyguide,Inthissmallcoursewhichbirthdrawsouttodeath,Andthinkhowevilbecomethhimtoslide,Whoseekethheaven,andcomesfromheavenlybreath.
Thenfarewell,world,thyuttermostIsee,EternalLove,maintainthylifeinme.
SPLENDIDISLONGUMVALEDICONUGIS
Footnote:
{1}EdwardWotton,elderbrotherofSirHenryWotton.HewasknightedbyElizabethin1592,andmadeComptrollerofherHousehold.ObservetheplayfulnessinSidney\'sopeningandcloseofatreatisewrittenthroughoutinplain,manlyEnglishwithoutEuphuism,andstrictlyreasoned.
{2}Heretheintroductionends,andtheargumentbeginswithitsPart1.PoetrythefirstLight-giver.
{3}Afablefromthe\"Hetamythium\"ofLaurentiusAbstemius,ProfessorofBellesLettresatUrbino,andLibrariantoDukeGuidoUbaldounderthePontificateofAlexanderVI.(1492-1503).
{4}Plinysays(\"Nat.Hist.,\"lib.xi.,cap.62)thattheyoungvipers,impatienttobeborn,breakthroughthesideoftheirmother,andsokillher.
{5}Part2.BorrowedfrombyPhilosophers.
{6}Timaeus,thePythagoreanphilosopherofLocri,andtheAthenianCritiasarerepresentedbyPlatoashavinglistenedtothediscourseofSocratesonaRepublic.Socratescallsonthemtoshowsuchastateinaction.CritiaswilltelloftherescueofEuropebytheancientcitizensofAttica,10,000yearsbefore,fromaninroadofcountlessinvaderswhocamefromthevastislandofAtlantis,intheWesternOcean;astruggleofwhichrecordwaspreservedinthetempleofNaithorAtheneatSais,inEgypt,andhandeddown,throughSolon,byfamilytraditiontoCritias.ButfirstTimaeusagreestoexpoundthestructureoftheuniverse;thenCritias,inapieceleftunfinishedbyPlato,proceedstoshowanidealsocietyinactionagainstpressureofadangerthatseemsirresistible.
{7}Plato\'s\"Republic,\"bookii.
{8}Part3.BorrowedfrombyHistorians.
{9}Part4.HonouredbytheRomansasSacredandProphetic.
{10}Part5.AndreallysacredandpropheticinthePsalmsofDavid.
{11}Part6.BytheGreeks,PoetswerehonouredwiththenameofMakers.
{12}Poetryistheonecreativeart.Astronomersandothersrepeatwhattheyfind.
{13}PoetsimproveNature.
{14}Andidealizeman.
{15}HereaSecondPartoftheEssaybegins.
{16}Part1.Poetrydefined.
{17}Part2.Itskinds.a.Divine.
{18}Philosophical,whichisperhapstooimitative.
{19}MarcusManiliuswroteunderTiberiusametricaltreatiseonAstronomy,ofwhichfivebooksonthefixedstarsremain.
{20}Poetryproper.
{21}Part3.SubdivisionsofPoetryproper.
{22}Itsessenceisinthethought,notinapparellingofverse.
{23}HeliodoruswasBishopofTricca,inThessaly,andlivedinthefourthcentury.HisstoryofTheagenesandChariclea,calledthe\"AEthiopica,\"wasaromantictaleinGreekwhichwas,inElizabeth\'sreign,translatedintoEnglish.
{24}ThePoet\'sWorkandParts.Part1.WORK:WhatPoetrydoesforus.
{25}Theirclaylodgings-
\"Suchharmonyisinimmortalsouls;
ButwhilstthismuddyvestureofdecayDothgrosslycloseitin,wecannothearit.\"
(Shakespeare,\"MerchantofVenice,\"actv.,sc.1)
{26}Poetrybestadvancestheendofallearthlylearning,virtuousaction.
{27}ItsadvantagehereinoverMoralPhilosophy.
{28}It\'sadvantagehereinoverHistory.
{29}\"Allmenmakefaults,andevenIinthis,Authorisingthytrespasswithcompare.\"
Shakespeare,\"Sonnet\"35.
{30}\"Witnessofthetimes,lightoftruth,lifeofmemory,mistressoflife,messengerofantiquity.\"——Cicero,\"DeOratore.\"
{31}InwhatmannerthePoetgoesbeyondPhilosopher,Historian,andallothers(batingcomparisonwiththeDivine).
{32}HeisbeyondthePhilosopher.
{33}Horace\'s\"ArsPoetica,\"lines372-3.ButHoracewrote\"Nonhomines,nonDi\"——\"Neithermen,gods,norletteredcolumnshaveadmittedmediocrityinpoets.\"
{34}Themoralcommon-places.CommonPlace,\"Locuscommunis,\"wasatermusedinoldrhetorictorepresenttestimoniesorpithysentencesofgoodauthorswhichmightbeusedforstrengtheningoradorningadiscourse;butsaidKeckermann,whoseRhetoricwasatext-bookinthedaysofJamesI.andCharlesI.,\"Becauseitisimpossiblethustoreadthroughallauthors,therearebooksthatgivestudentsofeloquencewhattheyneedinthesuccinctformofbooksofCommonPlaces,likethatcollectedbyStobaeusoutofCicero,Seneca,Terence,Aristotle;butespeciallythebookentitled\'Polyanthea,\'providesshortandeffectivesentencesapttoanymatter.\"FrequentresorttothePolyantheacausedmanyagoodquotationtobehackneyed;thetermofrhetoric,\"acommon-place,\"
camethentomeanagoodsayingmadefamiliarbyincessantquoting,andthenincommonspeech,anytritesayinggoodorbad,butcommonlywithoutwitinit.
{35}ThusfarAristotle.Thewholepassageinthe\"Poetics\"runs:
\"ItisnotbywritinginverseorprosethattheHistorianandPoetaredistinguished.TheworkofHerodotusmightbeversified;butitwouldstillbeaspeciesofHistory,nolesswithmetrethanwithout.Theyaredistinguishedbythis,thattheonerelateswhathasbeen,theotherwhatmightbe.OnthisaccountPoetryismorephilosophical,andamoreexcellentthingthanHistory,forPoetryischieflyconversantaboutgeneraltruth;Historyaboutparticular.
Inwhatmanner,forexample,anypersonofacertaincharacterwouldspeakoract,probablyornecessarily,thisisgeneral;andthisistheobjectofPoetry,evenwhileitmakesuseofparticularnames.
ButwhatAlcibiadesdid,orwhathappenedtohim,thisisparticulartruth.\"
{36}Justinus,wholivedinthesecondcentury,madeanepitomeofthehistoryoftheAssyrian,Persian,Grecian,Macedonian,andRomanEmpires,fromTrogusPompeius,wholivedinthetimeofAugustus.
{37}DaresPhrygiuswassupposedtohavebeenapriestofVulcan,whowasinTroyduringthesiege,andthePhrygianIliadascribedtohimasearlyasthetimeofAElian,A.D.230,wassupposed,therefore,tobeolderthanHomer\'s.
{38}QuintusCurtius,aRomanhistorianofuncertaindate,whowrotethehistoryofAlexandertheGreatintenbooks,ofwhichtwoarelostandothersdefective.
{39}Notknowledgebutpractice.
{40}ThePoetMonarchofallHumanSciences.
{41}In\"Love\'sLabour\'sLost\"aresemblancehasbeenfanciedbetweenthispassageandRosalind\'sdescriptionofBiron,andthejest:-
\"Whichhisfairtongue——conceit\'sexpositor-
Deliversinsuchaptandgraciouswords,Thatagedearsplaytruantathistables,Andyoungerhearingsarequiteravished,Sosweetandvolubleishisdiscourse.\"
{42}Virgil\'s\"AEneid,\"Bookxii.:-
\"AndshallthisgroundfainthearteddastardTurnusflyingview?
Isitsovileathingtodie?\"
(Phaer\'sTranslation[1573].)
{43}InstancesofthepowerofthePoet\'swork.
{44}Defectuous.Thisword,fromtheFrench\"defectueux,\"isusedtwiceinthe\"ApologieforPoetrie.\"
{45}PartII.ThePARTSofPoetry.
{46}CanPastoralbecondemned?
{47}ThecloseofVirgil\'sseventhEclogue——Thyrsiswasvanquished,andCorydoncrownedwithlastingglory.
{48}OrElegiac?
{49}OrIambic?orSatiric?
{50}FromthefirstSatireofPersius,line116,inadescriptionofHomer\'ssatire:
\"OmnevafervitiumridentiFlaccusamicoTangit,etadmissuscircumpraecordialudit,\"&c.
ShrewdFlaccustoucheseachviceinhislaughingfriend.Drydenthustranslatedthewholepassage:-
\"Unlikeinmethod,withconcealeddesignDidcraftyHoracehislownumbersjoin;
And,withaslyinsinuatinggraceLaughedathisfriend,andlookedhimintheface:
Wouldraiseablushwheresecretvicehefound;
Andtickle,whilehegentlyprobedthewound;
Withseeminginnocencethecrowdbeguiled,Butmadethedesperatepasseswhilehesmiled.\"
{51}FromtheendoftheeleventhofHorace\'sepistles(Lib.1):
\"Coelumnonanimummutant,quitransmarecurrunt,Strenuanosexercetinertia;navibusatqueQuadrigispetimusbenevivere.Quodpetis,hicest,EstUlubris,animussitenondeficitaequus.\"
Theychangetheirskiesbutnottheirmindwhorunacrosstheseas;
Wetoilinlabouredidleness,andseektoliveateaseWithforceofshipsandfourhorseteams.Thatwhichyouseekishere,AtUlubrae,unlessyourmindfailtobecalmandclear.
\"AtUlubrae\"wasequivalenttosayinginthedullestcorneroftheworld,oranywhere.UlubraewasalittletownprobablyinCampania,aRomanLittlePedlington.ThomasCarlylemayhavehadthispassageinmindwhenhegavetothesamethoughtagranderforminSartorResartus:\"Maywenotsaythatthehourofspiritualenfranchisementiseventhis?Whenyouridealworld,whereinthewholemanhasbeendimlystrugglingandinexpressiblylanguishingtowork,becomesrevealedandthrownopen,andyoudiscoverwithamazementenough,liketheLotharioinWilhelmMeister,thatyourAmericaishereornowhere.Thesituationthathasnotitsduty,itsideal,wasneveroccupiedbyman.Yes,here,inthispoor,miserablehamperedactualwhereinthouevennowstandest,hereornowhere,isthyIdeal:workitouttherefrom,believe,live,andbefree.Fool!theIdealisinthyself,theimpedimenttooisinthyself.ThyconditionisbutthestuffthouarttoshapethatsameIdealoutof.Whatmatterwhethersuchstuffbeofthissortorthat,sotheformthougiveitbeheroic,bepoetic?Othouthatpinestintheimprisonmentoftheactual,andcriestbitterlytothegodsforakingdomwhereintoruleandcreate,knowthisofatruth,thethingthouseekestisalreadywiththee,hereornowhere,couldestthouonlysee.
