Poetrie

Eclogues of Virgil, appended by William Webbe to his Discourse of English Poetrie (1586, recently reprinted by Mr. Arber).

Poems and Fragments 2006

And first truly to all them that professing learning envey against Poetrie, may justly be objected, that they go very neare to ungratefulnesse, to seeke to deface that which in the noblest nations and languages that are knowne, hath bene the first light giver to ignorance, and first nurse whose milk litle & litle enabled them to feed afterwardes of tougher knowledges.

Defence of Poesie 1992

What that before times was, I think scarcely Sp [h] inx can tell, since no memorie is so ancient, that hath not the precedens of Poetrie.

Defence of Poesie 1992

Indeed but apparelled verse: being but an ornament and no cause to Poetrie, since there have bene many most excellent Poets that never versified, and now swarme many versifiers that need never answere to the name of Poets.

Defence of Poesie 1992

Poetrie, yet is it indeed a chain-shot {110} against all learning or bookishnes, as they commonly terme it.

Defence of Poesie 1992

Truly Aristotle himselfe in his discourse of Poesie {43}, plainly determineth this question, saying, that Poetrie is philosophoteron and spuodaioteron, that is to say, it is more Philosophicall and more [studiously serious] {44} then History.

Defence of Poesie 1992

But if any thing be alreadie said in the defence of sweete Poetrie, all concurreth to the mainteining the Heroicall, which is not onlie a kinde, but the best and most accomplished kindes of Poetrie.

Defence of Poesie 1992

And truly even Plato who so ever well considereth, shall finde that in the body of his worke though the inside & strength were Philosophie, the skin as it were and beautie, depended most of Poetrie.

Defence of Poesie 1992

It is alreadie said (and as I thinke truly said) it is not ryming and versing that maketh Poesie: One may be a Poet without versing, and a versefier without Poetrie.

Defence of Poesie 1992

Our Tragidies and Commedies, not without cause cryed out against, observing rules neither of honest civilitie, nor skilfull Poetrie.

Defence of Poesie 1992