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But ｛59｝ because we have ears as well as tongues； and that the lightest reasons that may be； will seem to weigh greatly； if nothing be put in the counterbalance； let us hear； and； as well as we can； ponder what objections be made against this art； which may be worthy either of yielding or answering。
First； truly； I note； not only in these ＇Greek text＇； poet…haters； but in all that kind of people who seek a praise by dispraising others； that they do prodigally spend a great many wandering words in quips and scoffs； carping and taunting at each thing； which； by stirring the spleen； may stay the brain from a thorough beholding； the worthiness of the subject。 Those kind of objections； as they are full of a very idle uneasiness （since there is nothing of so sacred a majesty； but that an itching tongue may rub itself upon it）； so deserve they no other answer； but； instead of laughing at the jest； to laugh at the jester。 We know a playing wit can praise the discretion of an ass； the comfortableness of being in debt； and the jolly commodities of being sick of the plague； so； of the contrary side； if we will turn Ovid's verse；
〃Ut lateat virtus proximitate mali。〃
〃That good lies hid in nearness of the evil；〃 Agrippa will be as merry in the showing the Vanity of Science； as Erasmus was in the commending of Folly； ｛60｝ neither shall any man or matter escape some touch of these smiling railers。 But for Erasmus and Agrippa； they had another foundation than the superficial part would promise。 Marry； these other pleasant fault…finders； who will correct the verb before they understand the noun； and confute others' knowledge before they confirm their own； I would have them only remember； that scoffing cometh not of wisdom； so as the best title in true English they get with their merriments； is to be called good fools； for so have our grave forefathers ever termed that humorous kind of jesters。
But that which giveth greatest scope to their scorning humour； is rhyming and versing。 ｛61｝ It is already said； and； as I think； truly said； it is not rhyming and versing that maketh poesy； one may be a poet without versing； and a versifier without poetry。 But yet； presuppose it were inseparable； as indeed； it seemeth Scaliger judgeth truly； it were an inseparable commendation； for if 〃oratio〃 next to 〃ratio；〃 speech next to reason； be the greatest gift bestowed upon mortality； that cannot be praiseless which doth most polish that blessing of speech； which considereth each word； not only as a man may say by his forcible quality； but by his best measured quantity； carrying even in themselves a harmony； without； perchance； number； measure； order； proportion be in our time grown odious。
But lay aside the just praise it hath； by being the only fit speech for musicmusic； I say； the most divine striker of the senses； thus much is undoubtedly true； that if reading be foolish without remembering； memory being the only treasure of knowledge； those words which are fittest for memory； are likewise most convenient for knowledge。 Now； that verse far exceedeth prose in the knitting up of the memory； the reason is manifest： the words； besides their delight； which hath a great affinity to memory； being so set as one cannot be lost； but the whole work fails： which accusing itself； calleth the remembrance back to itself； and so most strongly confirmeth it。 Besides； one word so； as it were； begetting another； as； be it in rhyme or measured verse； by the former a man shall have a near guess to the follower。 Lastly； even they that have taught the art of memory； have showed nothing so apt for it as a certain room divided into many places； well and thoroughly known； now that hath the verse in effect perfectly； every word having his natural seat； which seat must needs make the word remembered。 But what needs more in a thing so known to all men？ Who is it that ever was a scholar that doth not carry away some verses of Virgil； Horace； or Cato； which in his youth he learned； and even to his old age serve him for hourly lessons？ as；
〃Percontatorem fugito： nam garrulus idem est。 Dum sibi quisque placet credula turba sumus。〃 ｛62｝
But the fitness it hath for memory is notably proved by all delivery of arts； wherein； for the most part； from grammar to logic； mathematics； physic； and the rest； the rules chiefly necessary to be borne away are compiled in verses。 So that verse being in itself sweet and orderly； and being best for memory； the only handle of knowledge； it must be in jest that any man can speak against it。
Now ｛63｝ then go we to the most important imputations laid to the poor poets； for aught I can yet learn； they are these。
First； that there being many other more fruitful knowledges； a man might better spend his time in them than in this。
Secondly； that it is the mother of lies。
Thirdly； that it is the nurse of abuse； infecting us with many pestilent desires； with a syren sweetness； drawing the mind to the serpent's tail of sinful fancies； and herein； especially； comedies give the largest field to ear； as Chaucer saith； how； both in other nations and ours； before poets did soften us； we were full of courage； given to martial exercises； the pillars of manlike liberty； and not lulled asleep in shady idleness with poets' pastimes。
And lastly and chiefly； they cry out with open mouth； as if they had overshot Robin Hood； that Plato banished them out of his commonwealth。 Truly this is much； if there be much truth in it。
First； ｛64｝ to the first； that a man might better spend his time； is a reason indeed； but it doth； as they say； but 〃petere principium。〃 ｛65｝ For if it be； as I affirm； that no learning is so good as that which teacheth and moveth to virtue； and that none can both teach and move thereto so much as poesy； then is the conclusion manifest； that ink and paper cannot be to a more profitable purpose employed。 And certainly； though a man should grant their first assumption； it should follow； methinks； very unwillingly； that good is not good because better is better。 But I still and utterly deny that there is sprung out of earth a more fruitful knowledge。
To ｛66｝ the second； therefore； that they should be the principal liars； I answer paradoxically； but truly； I think truly； that of all writers under the sun； the poet is the least liar； and though he would； as a poet； can scarcely be a liar。 The astronomer； with his cousin the geometrician； can hardly escape when they take upon them to measure the height of the stars。 How often； think you； do the physicians lie； when they aver things good for sicknesses； which afterwards send Charon a great number of souls drowned in a potion before they come to his ferry。 And no less of the rest which take upon them to affirm。 Now for the poet； he nothing affirmeth； and therefore never lieth； for； as I take it； to lie is to affirm that to be true which is false： so as the other artists； and especially the historian； affirmeth many things； can； in the cloudy knowledge of mankind； hardly escape from many lies： but the poet； as I said before； never affirmeth； the poet never maketh any circles about your imagination； to conjure you to believe for true what he writeth： he