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as the manner is, was not unstudied in those authors which are most commended. Whereof some were grave orators and historians, whose matter methought I loved indeed — but, as my age then was, so I understood them; others were the smooth elegiac poets, whereof the schools are not scarce, whom both for the pleasing sound of their numerous writing (which in imitation I found most easy, and most agreeable to nature's part in me), and for their matter (which what it is there be few who know not), I was so allured to read that no recreation came to me better welcome. . . . Whence having observed them to account it the chief glory of their wit, in that they were ablest to judge, to praise, and by that could esteem themselves worthiest to love, those high perfections which under one or other name they took to celebrate; I thought with myself by every instinct and presage of nature (which is not wont to be false) that what emboldened them to this task might, with such diligence as they used, embolden

me....

For, by the firm settling of these persuasions, I became, to my best memory, so much a proficient that, if I found those authors anywhere speaking unworthy things of themselves, or unchaste of those names which before they had extolled, this effect it wrought with me: from that time forward their art I still applauded, but the men I deplored, and above them all preferred the two famous renowners of Beatrice and Laura, who never write but honor of them to whom they devote their verse, displaying sublime and pure thoughts without transgression. And long it was not after, when I was confirmed in this opinion, that he who would not be frustrate of his hope to write well hereafter

in laudable things ought himself to be a true poemthat is, a composition and pattern of the best and honorablest things; not presuming to sing high praises of heroic men or famous cities, unless he have in himself the experience and the practice of all that which is praiseworthy..

Next (for hear me out now, readers), that I may tell ye whither my younger feet wandered, I betook me among those lofty fables and romances which recount in solemn cantos the deeds of knighthood founded by our victorious kings, and from hence had in renown over all Christendom. There I read it in the oath of every knight that he should defend, to the expense of his best blood, or of his life, if it so befell him, the honor and chastity of virgin or matron; from whence even then I learned what a noble virtue chastity sure must be, to the defence of which so many worthies, by such a dear adventure of themselves, had sworn.

Thus, from the laureat fraternity of poets, riper years and the ceaseless round of study and reading led me to the shady spaces of philosophy, but chiefly to the divine volumes of Plato, and his equal, Xenophon; where if I should tell ye what I learnt of chastity and love - I mean that which is truly so, whose charming cup is only virtue, which she bears in her hand to those who are worthy (the rest are cheated with a thick intoxicating potion which a certain sorceress, the abuser of love's name, carries about)

and how the first and chiefest office of love begins and ends in the soul, producing those happy twins of her divine generation, knowledge and virtue; with such abstracted sublimities as these it might be worth your listening,

readers, as I may one day hope to have ye in a still time, when there shall be no chiding.

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Last of all, not in time, but as perfection is last, that care was ever had of me, with my earliest capacity, not to be negligently trained in the precepts of the Christian religion.1

1 An Apology for Smectymnuus. Prose Works 3. 116 ff.

VI

METHOD IN THE POETRY OF LOVE

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

I. BROWNING

I have gone the whole round of creation: I saw and I spoke !

I, a work of God's hand for that purpose, received in my brain

And pronounced on the rest of His handwork — returned Him again

His creation's approval or censure: I spoke as I saw. I report, as a man may of God's work-all's love, yet all's law ! 1

II. THE METHOD OF THE TROUBADOURS

In his journey through purgatory Dante met Guido Guinicelli, and began to extol the 'sweet ditties' that he composed. But Guinicelli disclaimed the honor, pointed out another as the master who excelled all, and humbly effacing himself before this greatest of poets, disappeared 'through the fire, even as through the water a fish going to the bottom.' It would hardly seem possible for Dante to introduce this poet with more signal distinction; but

1 Saul 17. 1-5.

he found a way - allowing him to speak, not in Tuscan, but in his own language: 'I am Arnaut, who weep and go singing.' Who was this poet? His full name was Arnaut Daniel. He was a troubadour.

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Dante himself bears witness that Daniel was not popular. . . It astonishes us to hear Petrarch call him 'First among all, . . . great master of love, who still does honor to his country with his novel and beautiful diction.' We wonder still more at Dante's admiration, and the tradition of reverence that continued down even to Tasso's day.

Daniel's passion for 'rich rhymes' and the obscure style was not mere affectation, mere striving for novelty. His mind was naturally reserved and self-contained, not easy and effusive. 'He that would earn praise must govern himself,' he sang; and again: 'Love bridles my mouth.' ... Such a man was not likely to be satisfied with a ready, flowing style. Besides, he was nobly born and well educated, and naïve poetry was too simple for him. He knew and felt the power of words. Not content with the purest form of the troubadour tongue his mother-speech - he winnowed and elaborated it. . . .

All these are the marks of an artistic poet. . . . He distinguished himself by carrying such thoughts, feelings, and imaginations as were his to their ultimate development, and expressing them with a unique force. Others personified love, but he made love speak, and even act, as a living person. While others declared that love enabled them to be joyous even when the earth was dark and gloomy, he seemed intent upon detaching himself altogether from nature and dominating it. While others

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