De Carmine Pastorali (1684) by René Rapin
page 22 of 69 (31%)
page 22 of 69 (31%)
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Subject is the same, and some great illustrious Action is to be
_imitated_ by both, yet since one by representation, and the other by plain narration imitates, each makes a different _Species_ of imitation. And _Comedy_ and _Tragedy_, tho they agree in this, that both represent, yet because the Matter is different, and _Tragedy_ must represent some brave action, and _Comedy_ a humor; these Two sorts of imitation are _Specifically different_. And upon the same account, since _Pastoral_ chooses the mannes of Sheapards for its imitation, it takes from its matter a peculiar difference, by which it is distinguish'd frõ all others. But here _Benius_ in his comments upon _Aristotle_ hath started a considerable query: which is this; Whether _Aristotle_, when he reckons up the different _Species_ of Poetry _Cap_ 1. doth include _Pastoral,_ or no? And about this I find learn'd men cannot at all agree: which certainly _Benius_ should have determin'd, or not rais'd: some refer it to that sort which _was sung to Pipes_, for that _Pastorals_ were so _Apuleius_ intimates, when at the marriage Feast of _Phyche_ He brings in _Paniscus_ singing _Bucolicks_ to his Pipe; But since they did not seriously enough consider, what _Aristotle_ {18} meant by that which he calls *aulêtikên* they trifle, talk idly, and are not to be heeded in this matter; For suppose some _Musitian_ should sing _Virgils Ænæis_ to the Harp, (and _Ant. Lullus_ says it hath been done,) should we therefore reckon that divine and incomparable Master of _Heroick_ Poetry amongst the _Lyricks_? Others with _Cæsius Bassus_ and _Isacius Tzetzes_ hold that that distribution of _Poetry_, which _Aristotle_ and _Tully_ hath left us, is deficient and imperfect; and that only the chief Species are reckoned, but the more inconsiderable not mention'd: I shall not here |
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