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Page 14
It is from hence, that by METAPHOR a more masculine Air and Vigour is
given to a Subject, than by WIT; But it too often happens, that the
METAPHOR is carried so far, as instead of _elucidating_, to obscure
and disfigure, the _original_ Subject.
To exhibit some Examples of WIT.
1.
_Henry_ the IVth of _France_, intimating to the _Spanish_ Ambassador
the Rapidity, with which he was able to over-run _Italy_, told him,
that _if once he mounted on Horseback, he should breakfast at_ Milan,
_and dine at_ Naples; To which the Ambassador added, _Since your
Majesty travels at this rate, you may be at Vespers in_ Sicily.
The Introduction of the _Vespers_ at SICILY is here _natural_, and
easy; as it seems only to be carrying on his Majesty's Journey at the
same rate, and to compleat the Progress of the Day; But it ushers at
once into View the _Destruction_ of the _French_ upon a _similar_
Occasion, when they formerly over-ran SICILY, and were all massacred
there at the ringing of the Bell for _Vespers_;--The sudden
Introduction and _Arrangement_ of this Catastrophe, with the
Expedition then threaten'd, sets the Issue of such a Conquest in
a new _Light_; And very happily exhibits and _elucidates_ the Result
of such vain and restless Adventures.
It may be observed, that the _quick_ Introduction and _Arrangement_
of any former Conquest of _Italy_ by the _French_, with the Expedition
then threaten'd, would have exhibited WIT; whatever the Issue had been
of such former Conquest; But in this Instance, there sits couched
under the WIT, a very _severe Rebuke_ upon the _French_ Monarch.
2.
_Alexander_ the VIth was very busily questioning the Ambassador of
_Venice_, Of whom his Masters held their Customs and Prerogatives of
the Sea? To which the Ambassador readily answer'd; _If your_ HOLINESS
_will only please to examine your Charter of St._ PETER's _Patrimony,
you will find upon the Back of it, the Grant made to the_ VENETIANS
_of the_ ADRIATIC.
The Authority of the _Grant_ to the _Venetians_ is in this Instance
the _original_ Subject, which is thus suddenly _elucidated_ to the
_Pope_, by _arranging_, and connecting it with the holy _Charter_ of
St. _Peter_'s Patrimony; There is a peculiar Happiness in the Address
of this Answer to the _Pope_, as he was obliged to receive it as a
satisfactory Account of the Truth of the _Grant_, and a clear
_Elucidation_ of its sacred Authority.
In this Instance, besides the WIT which shines forth, the _Pope_ is
severely expos'd to your _Raillery_, from the Scrape into which he has
brought the _Charter_ of St. _Peter's_ Patrimony, by his Attack of the
_Ambassador_; The _fictitious_ Existence of both the _Charter_ and
_Grant_ being sarcastically pointed out, under this respectable Air
of _Authenticity_.
3.
Upon the Restoration Mr. _Waller_ presented a congratulatory Copy of
Verses to King _Charles_; His Majesty, after reading them, said,--
_Mr_. Waller, _these are very good, but not so fine as you made upon
the_ PROTECTOR.--To which Mr. _Waller_ return'd,--_Your Majesty will
please to recollect, that we Poets always write best upon_ FICTIONS.
The _original_ Subject in this Instance is _the superior Excellence of
Mr_. WALLER's _Verses upon_ Cromwell; This he most happily excuses, by
starting at once, and _arranging_ along with them, the Remark, that
_Poets have always excell'd upon Fiction_; whereby he unexpectedly
exhibits his _more excellent_ Verses to _Cromwell_, as a plain
_Elucidation_ of the _fictitious_ Glory of the Protector; And
intimates at the same time, that the _Inferiority_ of his present
Performance was a natural _Illustration_ of his Majesty's _real_
Glory;--Never was a deep Reproach averted by a more happy Reply; which
comprehends both the highest Compliment to his Majesty, and a very
firm poetical Excuse of the different Performances.
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