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together； for； as in Alexander's picture well set out； we delight without laughter； and in twenty mad antics we laugh without delight： so in Hercules； painted with his great beard and furious countenance； in a woman's attire； spinning at Omphale's commandment； it breeds both delight and laughter； for the representing of so strange a power in love procures delight； and the scornfulness of the action stirreth laughter。
But I speak to this purpose； that all the end of the comical part be not upon such scornful matters as stir laughter only； but mix with it that delightful teaching which is the end of poesy。 And the great fault； even in that point of laughter； and forbidden plainly by Aristotle； is； that they stir laughter in sinful things； which are rather execrable than ridiculous； or in miserable； which are rather to be pitied than scorned。 For what is it to make folks gape at a wretched beggar； and a beggarly clown； or against the law of hospitality； to jest at strangers； because they speak not English so well as we do？ what do we learn； since it is certain；
〃Nil habet infelix pauperatas durius in se； Quam qnod ridiculos； homines facit。〃 ｛88｝
But rather a busy loving courtier； and a heartless threatening Thraso； a self…wise seeming school…master； a wry…transformed traveller： these； if we saw walk in stage names； which we play naturally； therein were delightful laughter； and teaching delightfulness： as in the other； the tragedies of Buchanan ｛89｝ do justly bring forth a divine admiration。
But I have lavished out too many words of this play matter； I do it； because； as they are excelling parts of poesy； so is there none so much used in England； and none can be more pitifully abused； which； like an unmannerly daughter； showing a bad education； causeth her mother Poesy's honesty to be called in question。
Other ｛90｝ sorts of poetry； almost； have we none； but that lyrical kind of songs and sonnets； which； if the Lord gave us so good minds； how well it might be employed； and with how heavenly fruits； both private and public； in singing the praises of the immortal beauty； the immortal goodness of that God； who giveth us hands to write； and wits to conceive； of which we might well want words； but never matter； of which we could turn our eyes to nothing； but we should ever have new budding occasions。
But； truly； many of such writings as come under the banner of unresistible love； if I were a mistress； would never persuade me they were in love； so coldly they apply fiery speeches； as men that had rather read lover's writings； and so caught up certain swelling phrases； which hang together like a man that once told me； 〃the wind was at north…west and by south；〃 because he would be sure to name winds enough； than that； in truth； they feel those passions； which easily； as I think； may be bewrayed by the same forcibleness； or 〃energia〃 （as the Greeks call it）； of the writer。 But let this be a sufficient； though short note； that we miss the right use of the material point of poesy。
Now ｛91｝ for the outside of it； which is words； or （as I may term it） diction； it is even well worse； so is that honey…flowing matron eloquence； apparelled； or rather disguised； in a courtesan…like painted affectation。 One time with so far…fetched words； that many seem monsters； but most seem strangers to any poor Englishman： another time with coursing of a letter； as if they were bound to follow the method of a dictionary： another time with figures and flowers； extremely winter…starved。
But I would this fault were only peculiar to versifiers； and had not as large possession among prose printers： and； which is to be marvelled； among many scholars； and； which is to be pitied； among some preachers。 Truly； I could wish （if at least I might be so bold to wish； in a thing beyond the reach of my capacity） the diligent imitators of Tully and Demosthenes； most worthy to be imitated； did not so much keep Nizolian paper…books ｛92｝ of their figures and phrases； as by attentive translation； as it were； devour them whole； and make them wholly theirs。 For now they cast sugar and spice upon every dish that is served at the table： like those Indians； not content to wear ear…rings at the fit and natural place of the ears； but they will thrust jewels through their nose and lips； because they will be sure to be fine。
Tully； when he was to drive out Catiline； as it were with a thunderbolt of eloquence； often useth the figure of repetition； as 〃vivit et vincit； imo in senatum venit； imo in senatum venit；〃 &c。 ｛93｝ Indeed； inflamed with a well…grounded rage； he would have his words； as it were； double out of his mouth； and so do that artificially which we see men in choler do naturally。 And we； having noted the grace of those words； hale them in sometimes to a familiar epistle； when it were too much choler to be choleric。
How well； store of 〃similiter cadences〃 doth sound with the gravity of the pulpit； I would but invoke Demosthenes' soul to tell； who with a rare daintiness useth them。 Truly； they have made me think of the sophister； that with too much subtlety would prove two eggs three； and though he may be counted a sophister； had none for his labour。 So these men bringing in such a kind of eloquence； well may they obtain an opinion of a seeming fineness； but persuade few； which should be the end of their fineness。
Now for similitudes in certain printed discourses； I think all herbalists； all stories of beasts； fowls； and fishes are rifled up； that they may come in multitudes to wait upon any of our conceits； which certainly is as absurd a surfeit to the ears as is possible。 For the force of a similitude not being to prove anything to a contrary disputer； but only to explain to a willing hearer： when that is done； the rest is a most tedious prattling； rather overswaying the memory from the purpose whereto they were applied； than any whit informing the judgment； already either satisfied； or by similitudes not to be satisfied。
For my part； I do not doubt； when Antonius and Crassus； the great forefathers of Cicero in eloquence； the one （as Cicero testifieth of them） pretended not to know art； the other not to set by it； because with a plain sensibleness they might win credit of popular ears； which credit is the nearest step to persuasion （which persuasion is the chief mark of oratory）； I do not doubt； I say； but that they used these knacks very sparingly； which who doth generally use； any man may see； doth dance to his own music； and so to he noted by the audience； more careful to speak curiously than truly。 Undoubtedly （at least to my opinion undoubtedly） I have found in divers small… learned courtiers a more sound style than in some professors of learning； of which I can guess no other cause； but that the courtier following that which by practice he findeth fittest to nature； therein （though he know it not） doth according to art； though not by art： where the other； using art to show art； and not hide art （as in these cases he should do）； flieth from nature； and indeed abuseth art。
But what！ methinks I deserve to be pounded ｛94｝ for straying from poetry to oratory： but both have such an affinity in the wordish considerations；