better to have it set down as it should be, or as it was? then, certainly, is more doctrinable the feigned Cyrus in Xenophon, than the true Cyrus in Juftin; and the feigned Encas in Virgil, than the right Eneas in Dares Phrygius: As to a lady that defired to fashion her countenance to the best grace, a painter fhould more benefit her, to portrait a most sweet face, writing Canidia upon it, than to paint Canidia as fhe was, who, Horace fweareth, was full ill-favoured. If the Poet do his part aright, he will fhew you in Tantalus, Atreus, and fuch like, nothing that is not to be fhunned; in Cyrus, Encas, Ulyffes, each thing to be followed: where the Hiftorian, bound to tell things, as things were, cannot be liberal, without he will be poetical, of a perfect pattern; but, as in Alexander, or Scipio himself, fhew doings, fome to be liked, fome to be mif-liked; And then how will you discern what to follow, but by your own discretion, which you had, without reading 2. Curtius? And whereas, a man may say, though in univerfal confideration of doctrine, the Poet prevaileth, yet that the hiftory, in his faying fuch a thing was done, doth warrant a man more in that he fhall follow; the answer is manifeft; That if he ftand upon that was, as if he should argue, because it rained yesterday, therefore it fhould rain to day; then, indeed, hath it fome advantage to a grofs conceit. But if he know

an

Poesy! was like, political, in

28

THE DEFENCE

an example only informs a conjectured likelihood, and fo go by reafon, the Poet doth fo far exceed him, as he is to frame his example to that which is most reasonable; be it in warlike, political, or private matters; where the Hiftorian in his bare, was, hath, many times, that which we call fortune, to over-rule the best wisdom. Many times he must tell events, whereof he can yield no caufe; or if he do, it must be poetically.

concur.

For, that a feigned example hath as much. force to teach, as a true example, (for as for to move, it is clear, fince the feigned may be tuned to the highest key of paffion) let us take one example wherein an Hiftorian and a Poet did Herodotus and Justin, do both testify, That Zopyrus, King Darius's faithful fervant, feeing his master long refifted by the rebellious Babylonians, feigned himself in extreme difgrace of his king; for verifying of which, he caufed his own nose and ears to be cut off, and so fly. ing to the Babylonians, was received; and, for his known valour, fo far credited, that he did find means to deliver them over to Darius. Much-like matters doth Livy record of Tarquinius and his fon. Xenophon excellently feigned fuch another stratagem, performed by Abradatus in Cyrus's behalf. Now would I fain know, If occafion be presented unto you, to serve your prince by fuch an honeft diffimulation, why do

you not as well learn it of Xenophon's fiction, as of the other's verity? and, truly, so much the better, as you fhall fave your nose by the bargain; for Abradatus did not counterfeit fo far. So, then, the best of the Historians is subject to the Poet; for, whatfoever action or faction, whatsoever counsel, policy, or war-ftratagem, the Hiftorian is bound to recite, that may the Poet, if he lift, with his imitation, make his own, beautifying it both for farther teaching, and more delighting, as it please him, having all, from Dante's heaven to his hell, under the authority of his pen. Which, if I be asked, What Poets have done fo? as I might well name fome, so yet, say I, and say again, I speak of the art, and not of the artificer.

Now, to that which commonly is attributed to the praise of history, in refpect of the notable learning which is got by marking the fuccefs, as tho' therein a man fhould fee virtue exalted, and vice punished: truly, that commendation is peculiar to Poetry, and far off from History; for, indeed, Poetry ever fets Virtue fo out in her best colours, making Fortune her well-waiting hand-maid, that one must needs be enamoured of her. Well may you fee Ulyffes in a ftorm, and in other hard plights; but they are but exercises of patience and magnanimity, to make them fhine the more in the near following profperity. And, on the contrary part, if evil men

come

is

come to the stage, they ever go out (as the tragedy-writer answered to one that mifliked the thew of fuch perfons) fo manacled, as they little animate folks to follow them. But Hiftory being captived to the truth of a foolish world, many times a terror from well-doing, and an encouragement to unbridled wickedness. For fee we not valiant Miltiades rot in his fetters? The juft Phocion, and the accomplished Socrates, put to death like traytors? The cruel Severus live profperously? The excellent Severus miferably murthered? Sylla and Marius dying in their beds? Pompey and Cicero flain, then when they would have thought exile a happiness? See we not virtuous Cato driven to kill himself, and rebel Cæfar fo advanced, that his name yet, after fixteen hundred years, lafteth in the high. eft honour? And mark but even Cafar's own words of the fore-named Sylla (who, in that, only, did honestly, to put down his dishonest tyranny) literas nefcivit: as if want of learning caufed him to do well. He meant it not by Poetry, which, not content with earthly plagues, devifeth new punishments in hell for tyrants: nor yet by Philosophy, which teacheth occidentes effe; but, no doubt, by skill in History; for that, indeed, can afford you Cypfelus, Periander, Phalaris, Dionyfius, and I know not how many more of the fame kennel, that speed well

enough

enough in their abominable injustice of ufurpa

tion.

I conclude, therefore, that He excelleth Hiftory, not only in furnifhing the mind with knowledge, but in fetting it forward to that which deferves to be called and accounted good: which fetting forward, and moving to welldoing, indeed, fetteth the laurel crown upon the Poets as victorious, not only of the Hiftorian, but over the Philofopher; howsoever, in teaching, it may be questionable. For suppose it be granted, that which I fuppofe, with great reafon, may be denied, That the Philofopher, in refpect of his methodical proceeding, teach more perfectly than the Poet, yet do I think, That no man is fo much φιλοφιλόσοφος, as to compare the Philofopher in moving with the Poet. And, that moving is of a higher degree than teaching, it may by this appear, that it is wellnigh both the cause and effect of teaching; for who will be taught, if he be not moved with defire to be taught? And what so much good doth that teaching bring forth (I speak still of moral doctrine) as that it moveth one to do that which it doth reach. For, as Ariftotle faith, It is not γνώσις but πράξις muft be the fruit: and how pais can be, without being moved to practise, it is no hard matter to confider. The Philofopher theweth you the way, he informeth you of the particularities, as well of the tedi

oufnefs