1.16. In what forme of Poesie the great Princes and dominators of the world were honored.
Bvt as the bad and illawdable parts of all estates and degrees were taxed by
the Poets in one sort or an other, and those of
great Princes by Tragedie in especiall, (& not till after their deaths) as
hath bene before remembred, to th'intent that such exemplifying (as it were)
of their blames and aduersities, being now dead, might worke for a secret
reprehension to others that were aliue, liuing in the same or like abuses. So
was it great reason that all good and vertuous persons should for their well
doings, be rewarded with commendation, and the great Princes aboue all
others with honors and praises, being for many respects of greater moment,
to haue them good & vertuous then any inferior sort of men. Wherfore
the Poets being in deede the trumpetters of all praise and also of slaunder
(not slaunder, but well deserued reproch) were in conscience & credit
bound next after the diuine praises of the immortall gods, to yeeld a like
ratable honour to all such amongst men, as most resembled the gods by
excellencie of function, and had a certaine affinitie with them, by more then
humane and ordinarie vertues shewed in their actions here vpon earth. They
were therfore praised by a second degree of laude: shewing their high
estates, their Princely genealogies and pedegrees, mariages, aliances, and
such noble exploites, as they had done in th'affaires of peace & of warre
to the benefit of their people and countries, by inuention of any noble
science, or profitable Art, or by making wholesome lawes or enlarging of
their dominions by honorable and iust conquests, and many other wayes.
Such personages among the Gentiles were
Bacchus, Ceres, Perseus,
Hercules, Theseus and many other, who thereby came to be accompted
gods and halfe gods or goddesses [
Heroes] & had their
commendations giuen by Hymne accordingly or by such other poems as their
memorie was therby made famous to the posteritie for euer after, as shal be
more at large sayd in place conuenient. But first we will speake somewhat
of the playing places, and prouisions which were made for their pageants
& pomps representatiue before remembred.