The Art of Poetry: an Epistle to the Pisos Part 14

_Ne forte pudori Sit tibi_ MUSA, _Lyrae solers, & Cantor Apollo._

The author of the English Commentary agrees, that this n.o.ble encomium on Poetry is addressed to _the Pisos_. All other Commentators apply it, as surely the text warrants, to _the_ ELDER PISO. In a long controversial note on this pa.s.sage, the learned Critick abovementioned also explains the text thus. "In fact, this whole pa.s.sage [from _et vitae_, &c.

to _cantor Apollo_] obliquely glances at the two sorts of poetry, peculiarly cultivated by himself, and is an indirect apology for his own choice of them. For 1. _vitae monstrata via est_, is the character of his _Sermones_. And 2. all the rest of his _Odes_"--"I must add, the very terms of the Apology so expressly define and characterize Lyrick Poetry, that it is something strange, it should have escaped vulgar notice." There is much ingenuity in this interpretation, and it is supported, with much learning and ability; yet I cannot think that Horace meant to conclude this fine encomium, on the dignity and excellence of the Art or Poetry, by a partial reference to the two particular species of it, that had been the objects of his own attention. The Muse, and Apollo, were the avowed patrons and inspirers of Poetry in general, whether Epick, Dramatick, Civil, Moral, or Religious; all of which are enumerated by Horace in the course of his panegyrick, and referred to in the conclusion of it, that Piso might not for a moment think himself degraded by his attention to Poetry.

In hoc epilago reddit breviter rationem, quare utilitates a poetis mortalium vitae allatas resenfuerit: ne scilicet Pisones, ex n.o.bilissimd Calpurniorum familia ortos, Musarum & Artis Poeticae quam profitebantur, aliquando paniteret.

DE NORES.

Haec, inquit, eo recensui, ut quam olim res arduas poetica tractaverit, cognoscas, & ne Musas coutemnas, atque in Poetarum referri numerum, erubescas.

NANNIUS.

Ne forte, pudori. Haec dixi, O Piso, ne te pudeat Poetam esse.

SCHREVELIUS.

608.---WHETHER GOOD VERSE or NATURE is THE FRUIT, OR RAIS'D BY ART, HAS LONG BEEN IN DISPUTE.]

In writing precepts for poetry to _young persons_, this question could not be forgotten. Horace therefore, to prevent the Pisos from falling into a fatal error, by too much confidence in their Genius, a.s.serts most decidedly, that Nature and Art must both conspire to form a Poet.

DACIER.

The Duke of Buckingham has taken up this subject very happily.

_Number and Rhyme,_ and that harmonious found, Which never _does_ the ear with harshness wound, Are necessary, yet but vulgar arts; For all in vain these superficial parts Contribute to the structure of the whole, Without a GENIUS too; for that's the Soul!

A spirit, which inspires the work throughout, As that of Nature moves the world about.

As all is dullness, where the Fancy's bad, So without Judgement, Fancy is but mad: And Judgement has a boundless influence, Not only in the choice of words, or sense, But on the world, on manners, and on men; Fancy is but the feather of the pen: Reason is that substantial useful part, Which gains the head, while t'other wins the heart.

Essay on Poetry.

626.---As the fly hawker, &t. Various Commentator concur in marking the personal application of this pa.s.sage.

Faithful friends are necessary, to apprise a Poet of his errors: but such friends are rare, and difficult to be distinguished by rich and powerful Poets, like the Pisos. DACIER.

Pisonem admonet, ut minime hoc genus divitum poetarum imitetur, neminemque vel jam pranfum, aut donatum, ad fuorum carminum emendationem admittat neque enim poterit ille non vehementer laudare, etiamsi vituperanda videantur. DE NORES.

In what sense Roscommon, the Translator of this Epistle, understood this pa.s.sage, the following lines from another of his works will testify.

I pity from my foul unhappy men, Compell'd by want to prost.i.tute their pen: Who must, like lawyers, either starve or plead, And follow, right or wrong, where guineas lead: But you, POMPILIAN, wealthy, pamper'd Heirs, Who to your country owe your swords and cares, Let no vain hope your easy mind seduce!

For rich ill poets are without excuse.

"Tis very dang'rous, tamp'ring with a Muse; The profit's small, and you have much to lose: For tho' true wit adorns your birth, or place, Degenerate lines degrade th' attainted race."

Essay on Translated Verse.

630.--_But if he keeps a table, &c.--Si vero est unctum, &c._

"Here (says _Dacier_) the Poet pays, _en pa.s.sant_, a very natural and delicate compliment to _the Pisos_." The drift of the Poet is evident, but I cannot discover the compliment.

636.--_Is there a man, to whom you've given ought, Or mean to give?_

TU, _seu donaris, &c._

Here the Poet advises the Elder Piso never to read his verses to a man, to whom he has made a promise, or a present: a venal friend cannot be a good Critick; he will not speak his mind freely to his patron; but, like a corrupt judge, betray truth and justice for the sake of interest.

DACIER.

643.--_Kings have been said to ply repeated bowls, &c._

_Reges dic.u.n.tur, &c._

_Regum exemplo_ Pisones admonet; _ut neminem admittant ad suorum carminum emendationem, nisi prius optime cognitum, atque perspectum._ DE NORES.

654.--QUINTILIUS.] The Poet _Quintilius Varus_, the relation and intimate friend of Virgil and Horace; of whom the latter lamented his death in a pathetick and beautiful Ode, still extant in his works.

Quintilius appears to have been some time dead, at the time of our Poet's writing this Epistle. DACIER.

[QUINTILIUS.] _Descriptis adulatorum moribus & consuetudine, a.s.sert optimi & sapientissimi judicis exemplum: Quintilii soilicet, qui tantae erat authoritatis apud Romanos, ut_ ei Virgilii opera Augustus tradiderit emendanda.

664.--THE MAN, IN WHOM GOOD SENSE AND HONOUR JOIN.]

It particularly suited Horace's purpose to paint the severe and rigid judge of composition. Pope's plan admitted softer colours in his draught of a true Critick.

But where's the man, who counsel can bestow, Still pleas'd to teach, and yet not proud to know?

Unbia.s.s'd, or by favour, or by spite; Not dully prepossess'd, nor blindly right; Tho' learn'd, well-bred; and tho' well-bred, sincere; Modestly bold, and humanly severe: Who to a friend his faults can freely show, And gladly praise the merit of a foe?

Blest with a taste exact, yet unconfin'd; A knowledge both of books and human kind; Gen'rous converse; a soul exempt from pride; And love to praise, with reason on his side?

_Essay on Criticism._