CHAP, nn.] THE MERITS 6» POtT^t. 97 



with regard to its matter, not the versification, raised upon 

 B noble Ibiindation, as having a principal regard to the dig- 

 nity of human nature. For as the active world is inferior 

 to the rational soul, so poetry gives that to mankind which 

 history denies, and in some measure satisfies the mind with 

 shadows when it cannot enjoy the substance. For, upon a 

 narrow inspection, poetry strongly shows that a greater 

 grandeur of things, a more perfect order, and a more beauti- 

 ful variety is pleasing to the mind than can anywhere be 

 found in nature after the fall. So that, as the actions and 

 events, which are the subjects of true history, have not that 

 grandeur which satisfies the mind, poetry steps in and feigns 

 more heroical actions. And as real history gives us not the 

 success of things according to the deserts of virtue and vice, 

 poetry coiTects it, and pres<^nts us with the fates and for- 

 tunes of persons rewarded or punished according to merit. 

 And as real history disgusts us with a familiar and constant 

 eimilitude of things, poetry relieves us by unexpected turns 

 and changes, and thus not only delights, but inculcates 

 morality and nobleness of soul. Whence it may be justly 

 esteemed of a Divine nature, as it raises the mind, by accom- 

 modating the images of things to our desires, and not, like 

 liistory and reason, subjecting the mind to things. And by 

 these its charms, and congruity to the mind, with the assist- 

 ance also of music, which conveys it the sweeter, it makes its 

 own way, so as to have been in high esteem in the most 

 ignorant ages, and among the most barbarous people, whilst 

 other kinds of learning were utterly excluded. 



Dramatic poetry, which has the theatre for its world, 

 would be of excellent use if it were sound ; for the discipline 

 and corruption of the theatre is of very great consequence. 

 And the corruptions of this kind are numerous in our times, 

 but the regulation quite neglected. The action of the theatre, 

 though modern states esteem it but ludicrous, unless it be 

 satirical and biting, was carefully watched by the ancients, 

 that it might improve mankind in virtue : and indeed many 

 wise men and great philosophers have thought it to the 

 mind as the bow to the fiddle ; and certain it is, though a 

 great secret in nature, that the minds of men in company 

 are more open to affections and impressions than when alone. 



But allegorical poetry excels the others, and appears a 

 2 u 



