Sunt delicta tamen, quibus ignovisse velimus: Nam neque chorda sonum reddit quem vult manus et mens: 348 354 Poscentique gravem persæpè remittit acutum ; num. 360 Ut pictura, poësis erit ; quæ, si propiùs stes, Te capiat magis, et quædam, si longiùs abstes. Hæc amat obscurum; volet hæc sub luce videri, Judicis argutum quæ non formidat acumen : Hæc placuit semel; hæc decies repetita placebit. 365 O major juvenum, quamvis et voce paternâ Fingeris ad rectum, et per te sapis; hoc tibi dictum Tolle memor: certis medium et tolerabile rebus • Verùm operi longo. Yet there are faults, which we should be ready to pardon: for neither does the string always form the sound which the hand and conception of the performer intends, but very often returns a sharp note when he demands a flat; nor will the bow always hit whatever mark it threatens. But when there is a great majority of beauties in a poem, I will not be offended with a few blemishes, which either inattention has dropped, or human nature has not sufficiently provided against. What therefore is to be determined in this matter? As a transcriber, if he still commits the same fault, though he has been reproved, is without excuse; as the harper, who always blunders on the same string, is sure to be laughed at; so he who is excessively deficient, becomes another Charilus,* whom, when I find him tolerable in two or three places, I wonder at with laughter; and at the same time am grieved, when honest Homer grows drowsy. But it is allowable that sleep should steal upon an author in a long work. As is painting, so is poetry: some pieces will strike you more, if you stand near; and some, if you are at a greater distance: one loves the dark; another, which is not afraid of the critic's subtile judgment, chooses to be seen in the light: the one has pleased once; the other will give pleasure, if ten times repeated. O thou eldest of the promising youths, though you are framed to a right judgment by your father's instructions, and are wise in yourself, yet take this truth along with you, and remember it: that in certain things, a medium and tolerable de* A stupid poet, censured by Aristotle. Vid. lib. 2. Epist. 1. 370 Rectè concedi: consultus juris, et actor Ludere qui nescit, campestribus abstinet armis: Id tibi judicium est, ea mens. Si quid tamen olim num, Sardinia was full of bitter herbs, from whence the honey was bitter. White poppy-seed roasted was mingled with honey by the ancients. NANNIUS. † Troque.-There were two kinds of diversions that had this name; one was like the top, and the other like the hoop. gree of eminence may be admitted: a counsellor and pleader at the bar, of the middle rate, is far removed from the distinguished merit of eloquent Messala, nor has so much knowledge of the law as Cassellius Aulus; but yet he is in some request : but a mediocrity in poets, neither gods, nor men, nor even the booksellers' shops, have endured. As at an agreeable entertainment, discordant music, and muddy essence, and poppies mixed with Sardinian honey,* give offence; because the supper might have passed without them so poetry, created and invented for the delight of our souls, if it comes short ever so little of the summit, sinks to the bottom. He, who does not understand the, games, abstains from the weapons used in the Campus Martius: and the unskilful in the tennis-ball, the quoit, and the troque,t keeps himself quiet, lest the crowded ring should raise a laughter at his expense: notwithstanding this, he who knows nothing of verses, presumes to compose. Why not? He is freeborn, and of a good family : above all, he is registered at an equestrian sum, and clear from every vice. You, I am persuaded, will neither say nor do any thing in opposition to Minerva : such is your judgment, such your disposition. But if ever you shall write any thing, let it be submitted to the ears of Metius Tarpa,§ who is a judge, and your father's and mine; and let it be suppressed till the ninth year, your papers being laid up securely within your own custody. You In order to entitle a Roman to be ranked in the eques, trian order, he was obliged to prove himself worth 10,000 crowns. § An excellent critic, mentioned in the 10th Satire, lib. 1 Membranis intus positis; delere licebit, Quod non edideris: nescit vox missa reverti. 390 Silvestres homines sacer interpresque Deorum 'Cædibus et victu fœdo deterruit Orpheus : Dictus ob hoc lenire tigres rabidosque leones. Dictus et Amphion, Thebanæ conditor arcis, Saxa movere sono testudinis, et prece blandâ 395 Ducere quò vellet. Fuit hæc sapientia quondam, Publica privatis secernere, sacra profanis; Concubitu prohibere vago; dare jura maritis; Oppida moliri; leges incidere ligno: Sic honor et nomen divinis vatibus atque Carminibus venit. Post hos insignis Homerus, Tyrtæusque mares animos in Martia bella Versibus exacuit; dictæ per carmina sortes, Et vitæ monstrata via est; et gratia regum Pieriis tentata modis; ludusque repertus, Et longorum operum finis; ne fortè pudori Sit tibi Musa lyræ solers, et cantor Apollo. 400 405 Naturâ fieret laudabile carmen, an arte, Quæsitum est: ego nec studium sine divite venâ, Nec rude quid possit video ingenium: alterius sic Altera poscit opem res, et conjurat amicè. Nec rude quid prosit. 410 |