Page:Gondibert, an heroick poem - William Davenant (1651).djvu/40

 Heroick, being by most allow'd to be the most beautifull of Poems, I shall not need to decide the quarrels of Poets about Degrees of Excellence in Poesie: But 'tis not amiss ere I avow the usefulness of the Science in general (which was the cause of my undertaking) to remember the value it had from the greatest and most worthy spirits in all Ages: for I will not abstain (though it may give me the reputation but of common reading) to mention, that Pisistratus, (though a Tyrant) liv'd with the praise, and dy'd with the blessing of all Greece, for gathering the scatter'd limbs of Homer's Works into a Body: and that great Alexander by publickly conversing with it, attain'd the universal opinion of Wit; the fame of such inward forces conducing as much to his Conquests, as his Armies abroad: That the Athenian Prisoners were thought worthy of life and liberty for singing the Tragedies of Euripides: That Thebes was sav'd from destruction by the victors reverence to the memory of Pindar: That the elder Scipio, (who govern'd all the civil world) lay continually in the bosom of Ennius: That the great Numantin and Lælius (no less renown'd) were openly proud when the Romans believ'd they assisted Terence in his Comedies: That Augustus (to whom the mysteries of the universal Empire were more familiar, than domestick Dominion to Modern Kings) made Virgil the partner of his joys, and would have divided his businesses with Horace: And that Lucan was the fear and envy of Nero. If we approch nearer our own times, we may adde the triumphal Entry which the Papacy gave to Petrarch; and how much Tasso is still the glory and delight of Italie.

But as in this hasty Muster of Poets, and listing their confederates, I shall by omitting many, deprive them of that pay which is due from Fame; so I may now by the opinion of some Divines (whom notwithstanding I will reverence in all their distinct habits and fashions of the mind) be held partial, and too bold, by adding to the first number (though I range them upon holy ground, and aside)