Page:Gondibert, an heroick poem - William Davenant (1651).djvu/60

 sweet Odours to anoint his Head: And afterwards says, Let us make use of more profitable, though more severe, and less pleasant Poets, who can imitate that which is for the honour and benefit of the Common-wealth. But those who make use of this just indignation of Plato to the unjust scandal of Poesie, have the common craft of False Witnesses, enlarging every circumstance, when it may hurt, and concealing all things that may defend him they oppose. For they will not remember how much the Scholar of Plato (who like an absolute Monarch over Arts, hath almost silenc'd his Master throughout the Schools of Europe) labours to make Poesie universally current, by giving Laws to the Science: Nor will they take notice, in what dignity it continu'd whilest the Greeks kept their dominion, or Language; and how much the Romans cherish'd even the publick repetition of Verses: Nor will they vouchsafe to observe (though Juvenal take care to record it) how gladly all Rome (during that exercise) ran to the voice of Statius.

Thus having taken measure (though hastily) of the extent of those great Professions that in Government contribute to the necessities, ease, and lawfull pleasures of Men; and finding Poesie as usefull now, as the Ancients found it towards perfection and happiness; I will, Sir, (unless with these Two Books you return me a discouragement) chearfully proceed: and though a little time would make way for the Third, and make it fit for the Press, I am resolv'd rather to hazard the inconvenience which expectation breeds, (for divers with no ill satisfaction have had a taste of Gondibert) than endure that violent envy which assaults all Writers whilest they live; though their Papers be but fill'd with very negligent and ordinary thoughts: and therefore I delay the publication of any part of the Poem, till I can send it you from America; whither I now speedily prepare; having the folly to hope, that when I am in another World (though not in the common sense of dying) I shall find my Readers (even the Poets of