" And
that illustrious judgment by the most learned M. Varro of him, who
pronounced him the prince of letters and elegancy in the Roman
language.
Sophocles.--I am not of that opinion to conclude a poet's liberty
within the narrow limits of laws which either the grammarians or
philosophers prescribe. For before they found out those laws there
were many excellent poets that fulfilled them, amongst whom none
more perfect than Sophocles, who lived a little before Aristotle.
Demosthenes.--Pericles.--Alcibiades.--Which of the Greeklings durst
ever give precepts to Demosthenes? or to Pericles, whom the age
surnamed Heavenly, because he seemed to thunder and lighten with his
language? or to Alcibiades, who had rather Nature for his guide than
Art for his master?
Aristotle.--But whatsoever nature at any time dictated to the most
happy, or long exercise to the most laborious, that the wisdom and
learning of Aristotle hath brought into an art, because he
understood the causes of things; and what other men did by chance or
custom he doth by reason; and not only found out the way not to err,
but the short way we should take not to err.
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