登陆注册
15524400000010

第10章 AN APOLOGIE FOR POETRIE(7)

His reason is,because poesy dealeth with [Greek text],that is to say,with the universal consideration,and the history [Greek text],the particular."Now,"saith he,"the universal weighs what is fit to be said or done,either in likelihood or necessity;which the poesy considereth in his imposed names;and the particular only marks,whether Alcibiades did,or suffered,this or that:"thus far Aristotle.{35}Which reason of his,as all his,is most full of reason.For,indeed,if the question were,whether it were better to have a particular act truly or falsely set down?there is no doubt which is to be chosen,no more than whether you had rather have Vespasian's picture right as he was,or,at the painter's pleasure,nothing resembling?But if the question be,for your own use and learning,whether it be 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 Justin;{36}and the feigned AEneas in Virgil,than the right AEneas in Dares Phrygius;{37}as to a lady that desired to fashion her countenance to the best grace,a painter should more benefit her,to portrait a most sweet face,writing Canidia upon it,than to paint Canidia as she was,who,Horace sweareth,was full ill-favoured.If the poet do his part aright,he will show you in Tantalus,Atreus,and such like,nothing that is not to be shunned;in Cyrus,AEneas,Ulysses,each thing to be followed;where the historian,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,show doings,some to be liked,some to be misliked;and then how will you discern what to follow,but by your own discretion,which you had,without reading Q.Curtius?{38}And whereas,a man may say,though in universal consideration of doctrine,the poet prevaileth,yet that the history,in his saying such a thing was done,doth warrant a man more in that he shall follow;the answer is manifest:that if he stand upon that WAS,as if he should argue,because it rained yesterday therefore it should rain to-day;then,indeed,hath it some advantage to a gross conceit.But if he know an example only enforms a conjectured likelihood,and so go by reason,the poet doth so far exceed him,as he is to frame his example to that which is most reasonable,be it in warlike,politic,or private matters;where the historian in his bare WAS hath many times that which we call fortune to overrule the best wisdom.Many times he must tell events whereof he can yield no cause;or if he do,it must be poetically.

For,that a feigned example bath as much force to teach as a true example (for as for to move,it is clear,since the feigned may be tuned to the highest key of passion),let us take one example wherein an historian and a poet did concur.Herodotus and Justin do both testify,that Zopyrus,King Darius's faithful servant,seeing his master long resisted by the rebellious Babylonians,feigned himself in extreme disgrace of his King;for verifying of which he caused his own nose and ears to be cut off,and so flying to the Babylonians,was received;and,for his known valour,so far credited,that he did find means to deliver them over to Darius.

Much-like matters doth Livy record of Tarquinius and his son.

Xenophon excellently feigned such another stratagem,performed by Abradatus in Cyrus's behalf.Now would I fain know,if occasion be presented unto you to serve your prince by such an honest dissimulation,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 shall save your nose by the bargain;for Abradatus did not counterfeit so far.So,then,the best of the historians is subject to the poet;for,whatsoever action or faction,whatsoever counsel,policy,or war stratagem the historian is bound to recite,that may the poet,if he list,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 so?as I might well name some,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 respect of the notable learning which is got by marking the success,as though therein a man should see virtue exalted,and vice punished:truly,that commendation is peculiar to poetry,and far off from history;for,indeed,poetry ever sets virtue so out in her best colours,making fortune her well-waiting handmaid,that one must needs be enamoured of her.Well may you see Ulysses in a storm,and in other hard plights;but they are but exercises of patience and magnanimity,to make them shine the more in the near following prosperity.And,on the contrary part,if evil men come to the stage,they ever go out (as the tragedy writer answered to one that misliked the show of such persons)so manacled,as they little animate folks to follow them.But history being captive to the truth of a foolish world,in many times a terror from well-doing,and an encouragement to unbridled wickedness.For see we not valiant Miltiades rot in his fetters?the just Phocion and the accomplished Socrates put to death like traitors?the cruel Severus live prosperously?the excellent Severus miserably murdered?Sylla and Marius dying in their beds?Pompey and Cicero slain then when they would have thought exile a happiness?See we not virtuous Cato driven to kill himself,and rebel Caesar so advanced,that his name yet,after sixteen hundred years,lasteth in the highest honour?

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 龙羽帝君

    龙羽帝君

    前世是一个普通的人,死后来到了地府,转身投胎成为龙家后裔!出外闯荡一路修炼,不断突破,成为三千世界之主宰QQ:1806274478
  • 这辈子,不能总这样:从平凡到卓越的11堂人生课

    这辈子,不能总这样:从平凡到卓越的11堂人生课

    本书内容包括:设立目标,人生的高度因目标而定;信心百倍,自信能让你劈荆斩棘;勇往直前,别让恐惧成为你的绊脚石;积极进取,勿让消极心态毁了你;自立自强,自助者天亦助之门等。
  • 罪恶文献

    罪恶文献

    深渊的剃刀已被释放,绯红的新月从天而降。昔日的哀伤无法遗忘,罪恶的王冠加冕为王。
  • 穿越之春心惑

    穿越之春心惑

    一个弃妇穿越到了另一时空,却依然是一个弃妇。一样的命运,仿佛上帝再给梅心儿重新选择的机会,是去是留?
  • 娱乐的生活

    娱乐的生活

    我的作品富有儿童的丰富精彩,具有很强的日常生活的普通事情。
  • 总裁霸爱:契约情人

    总裁霸爱:契约情人

    17岁的梦瑶前往酒吧兼职,可为什么?偏偏在最后一天遇上了一只“醉猫”?这只醉猫不但要将她吃干抹净,而且还要在第二天大闹到她的学校,说要还她某样东西?额,可是为什么到了最后,他不但什么都没还,反而还送了她一身的“红印”?这也算了,可某人却偏偏好像对她上了瘾了一样!“总裁大人,这里人来人往的,不太好吧?”她无数次像只可怜地小白羊般地哀求着。“你不就是喜欢露天吗?”“啊?其实,其实我今天不行啦!”“没关系,我更喜欢浴火奋战。”“什么!”她不可置信地眨眨眼,可还未等她思考完这一切究竟是怎么回事的时候。她的双唇便被紧紧吻住了!可当她渐渐为他的痴情所深深沦陷的时候。却被告知,她,只不过是一个替身情人?
  • 最强第二形态

    最强第二形态

    这是一个少年崛起的故事,他拥有独一无二的第二形态,注定将会成为最强,没有之一!
  • 二战秘史之从大不列颠到巴尔干

    二战秘史之从大不列颠到巴尔干

    本书讲述了二战时期德军占领法国后,开始入侵英国的准备,由此与英国展开了物资与战备的竞赛。为加重成功的法码,两国不惜动用政治外交手段,拉拢和威逼巴尔干地区的小国,使越来越多的国家卷入了这场战争。这是作者关于田间大地写作的一部分,对自然的敬畏,对大地的感恩,对文化的钟情。作者陈咸宁用简朴质感的文字,融意象与述说,汇注释与阐述,赋予文字性灵,以久违的文人情怀,涉笔成趣,再现乡土本真,返回翰墨书香,集记忆想象细节元素,构筑建立一方属于自己的纸上乡土文学世界。
  • tfboy之流星雨的约定

    tfboy之流星雨的约定

    流星划过夜的脸庞的瞬间,轻轻的闭上眼,双手合十,许下一个与流星的约定,约定将在某个星光璀璨的夜晚实现。。。
  • 致那份藏于心底的眷恋

    致那份藏于心底的眷恋

    突然流行起来的可以预知死亡的软件“Nicaea”,原本普通的高中生久世响希因地铁坍塌事件被卷入离奇的末日事件。这个世界只剩下7天的时间,每一天都有强大的侵略者Septentrion轮番袭击。离奇的恶魔召唤程式,神秘的JP‘s调查局,冷酷的局长峰津院大和,鬼魅的忧郁者Alcor.......假如你被告知在7天时间里存活下来就可以改变世界,你会怎么办?短暂的时光里迸发出压抑炽热的禁忌爱恋,阴谋与欺骗,同伴与友情,究竟谁才是神遗留在这个被抛弃的世界里最后的信仰?死亡的号角已经吹响,人们为了生存不择手段。当爱恨开始激烈纠缠,当未来变得模糊不已。我,还能够继续爱你吗?