Page:Gondibert, an heroick poem - William Davenant (1651).djvu/57

 neglect the help of Moralists in reforming the people, (and Poets are of all Moralists the most usefull) they give a sentence against the Law of Nature: For Nature performs all things by correspondent aids and harmony. And 'tis injurious not to think Poets the most usefull Moralists; for as Poesie is adorn'd and sublim'd by Musick, which makes it more pleasant and acceptable; so morality is sweetned and made more amiable by Poesie. And the Austerity of some Divines may be the cause why Religion hath not more prevail'd upon the manners of Men: for great Doctours should rather comply with things that please (as the wise Apostle did with Ceremonies) than lose a Proselyte. And even Honour (taught by moral Philosophers, but more delightfully infus'd by Poets) will appear (notwithstanding the sad severity of some latter Divines) no unsafe Guid towards Piety: for it is as wary and nice as Conscience, though more chearfull and couragious. And however Honour be more pleasing to flesh and bloud, because in this World it finds applause; yet 'tis not so mercenarie as Piety: for Piety (being of all her expectations inwardly assur'd) expects a reward in Heaven, to which all earthly payments compar'd, are but Shaddows, and Sand.

And it appears that Poesie hath for its natural prevailings over the Understandings of Men (sometimes making her conquests with easie plainness, like Native countrey Beauty) been very successfull in the most grave and important occasions, that the necessities of States or Mankind have produc'd. For it may be said that Demosthenes sav'd the Athenians by the Fable or Parable of the Dogs and Wolves, in answer to King Philip's Proposition; And that Menenius Agrippa sav'd the Senate, if not Rome, by that of the Belly, and the Hands: and that even our Saviour was pleas'd (as the most prevalent way of Doctrine) wholly to use such kind of Parables in his converting, or saving of Souls; it being written, Without a Parable spake he not to them. And had not the learned Apostle thought the wisdom of Poets worthy his remembrance, and instructive,