upon the Prince of Condé said wittily, I am oblig'd to M. d'Aubignac for having so exactly follow'd Aristotle's Rules; but I will never forgive the Rules of Aristotle, for having put M. d'Aubignac upon writing so bad a Tragedy.
It must be acknowledged, that Aristotle's Art of Poetry is an excellent Work: but however, there's nothing so perfect in it, as to be the standing rule of all Nations and all Ages. Descartes and Gassendi have found out truths, that were unknown to Aristotle. Corneille has discover'd beauties for the Stage, of which Aristotle was ignorant: and as our Philosophers have observ'd errors in his Physicks, our Poets have spy'd out faults in his Poeticks, at least with respect to us; considering what great change all things have undergone since his time.
The Gods and Goddesses amongst the Antients brought about every thing that was great and extraordinary upon the Theatre, either by their Hatred or their Friendship; by their Revenge, or by their Protection; and among so many supernatural things, nothing appear'd fabulous to the People, who believ'd there pass'd a familiar correspondence between Gods and Men. Their Gods, generally speaking, acted by human Passions: their men undertook nothing without the Counsel of their Gods; and executed nothing without their Assistance. Thus in this mixture of the Divinity and Humanity, there was nothing which was not credible. But all these wonders are downright Romance to us, at this time of day. The Gods are wanting to us, and we are wanting to the Gods; and if, in imitation of the Antients, an Author would introduce Angels and Saints upon our Stage, the devouter sort of people would be offended at it, and look on him as a profane person; and the Liber-
