This Fable is quite distinct from the Body of the main Action; for the Quarrel between Jupiter and Juno, which cost Vulcan so dear, had nothing to do with the Grecian Affairs: 'Tis likewise compris'd in five Lines.
CHAP. XVIII.
The Conclusion of the First Book.
The Unity of the Fable, and the Regular or Vicious Multiplication that may be made thereof, depends in a great measure upon the Unity of the Action, and upon the Episodes; so we we shall speak more thereof in another place: But in this and many other Points, the Examen of our Authors, and those particular Instructions one might descend to for an exact Understanding of this Doctrine, would never be at end. And tho I should fill several Volumes with what I have to say about it, yet I should still leave enough to employ the Imagination, the Genius, and the Judgment of both Criticks and Poets, which Art without Nature never brings to Perfection. Nor are we to fansie that Nature alone, and the Advantages of a happy Genius, can make us capable of passing a Judgment upon the Ancient Poets; unless Art and Study acquaint us with the Tast and the Manners of their Auditors, and of the times they liv'd in.
The Relish which all Antiquity, both Sacred and Profane, Greek and Barbarian, had for Fables, Parables, and Allegories (which are one and the same in this place) gave the Ancient Poets a great deal more Liberty than the Moderns have; and make things in Homer pass for Beauties, which would look but ill in a Piece of Modern Poetry. This likewise exposes our Ancient Poet to such Censures, as bewray our Ignorance oftner than his faults. The [1]Custom of that time was to conceal their Mysteries from Vulgar View, and not to explain their Allegories. Men of Learning made it a particular Study to discover these mysterious Meanings, and this Penetration of thought made a Considerable part of their Learning. Our Age, which in other things pretends to so much Light and Curiosity, is very negligent of these sorts of Knowledge, since they no longer agree with our Customs.
- ↑ Vobis datum est nosse mysteria, cæteris in Parabolis tantum. Qui potest capere capiat.
Sapientiam omnium antiquorum exquiret sapiens, & in versutias Parabolarum simul introibit, occulta proverbiorum exquirer, & in absconditis Parabolarum conversabitur. Excl. c. 39.
'Tis
