CHAP. VI.
Of the Fable.
[1]ARistotle says, The Fable is the principal Part of the Poem, and that 'tis as it were the very Soul of it. Therefore we must look for the Nature of the Epopéa in that of the Fable, and consider That as the chief Foundation of the Poem, as the Principle that gives Life and Motion to all its parts, and sets all its Faculties on work. We have indeed begun to define the Epopéa by the Definition we gave of the Fable; for the Fable is a Discourse invented to form Mens Manners by Instructions disguis'd under the Allegories of one single Action.
There are several sorts of Fables, which one may treat after very different ways. The Poet forms his from that which is most excellent in each of these sorts.
There are reckon'd three sorts of Fables. The first fall under the Names of Men and Gods, and are call'd Rational; the second are only comprised under the Names of Beasts, and derive their Name of Moratæ from the humane Manners, which are attributed to them; and the last are a Mixture of these two sorts of Personages, and are call'd Mix'd.
The Epick Fables are Rational. Nor do I think that the Liberty Homer has taken of making a Horse speak only once in his Iliad, ought to make this Fable be counted a mix'd one. I should rather reckon this incident among the Machines and Miracles; as we read in the Roman History it sometimes happen'd, and as we know it did in Balaam's Aß.
Besides, 'twas such a common thing in those times to make use of these sorts of Fables, and to bring in brute Beasts, and even Trees speaking: and this Custom was so generally look'd upon as Mark of Learning, a Genius, and Eloquence; that had Homer us'd it oftner, I do not see how any one could blame this Fable for any Irregularity. But in short, this Custom of making Beasts speak is so little relish'd by these last Ages, that even Homer's Example would not make it excusable in any of our modern Writers.
However 'tis, this inconsiderable Incident, which does not hinder but the Epick Fable may be reckon'd among the Rational ones, will not hinder it from being plac'd among the Probable ones; though this Qualification be not at all necessary for the Fable in general.
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