{"id":1218,"date":"2019-04-27T17:19:04","date_gmt":"2019-04-27T17:19:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/142.150.46.75\/poemsandfancies\/?p=1218"},"modified":"2019-05-04T10:11:16","modified_gmt":"2019-05-04T10:11:16","slug":"the-purchase-of-poets-or-a-dialogue-betwixt-the-poets-and-fame-and-homers-marriage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/?p=1218","title":{"rendered":"The Purchase of Poets, or, a Dialogue betwixt the Poets and Fame, and Homer\u2019s Marriage"},"content":{"rendered":"

A company of poets strove to buy
\nParnassus Hill, upon which Fame<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span> doth lie,
\nAnd Helicon, a well that runs below,
\nOf which all<\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span> those that drink straight<\/span>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span> poets grow.
\nBut money they had none (for poets all are poor),<\/span>4<\/sup><\/a><\/span> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5
\nAnd fancy, which is wit, is all their store.
\nThinking which way this purchase they might make,<\/span>5<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThey all agreed they would some counsel take.<\/span>6<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nKnowing that Fame was owner<\/span>7<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to the well,
\nAnd that she always on the hill did dwell, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10
\nThey did conclude to tell her their desire,
\nThat they might<\/span>8<\/sup><\/a><\/span> know what price she did require.
\nThen up the hill they got, the<\/span>9<\/sup><\/a><\/span> journey long;
\nSome nimbler feet<\/span>10<\/sup><\/a><\/span> had,<\/span>11<\/sup><\/a><\/span> and their breath<\/span>12<\/sup><\/a><\/span> more strong,
\nWhich made them get before by going fast, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 15
\nBut all did meet upon the hill at last.
\nAnd when she heard them all what they could say,
\nShe asked them where their money was to pay.<\/span>13<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThey told her money they had none to give,
\nBut they had wit, by which they all did live, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 20
\nAnd though they knew sometimes she bribes would take,
\nYet wit in Honor\u2019s court did<\/span>14<\/sup><\/a><\/span> greatness make.
\nSaid she, \u201cThis Hill I\u2019ll neither sell nor give,
\nBut they that have most wit shall with me live.
\nThen go you down, and get what friends you can \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 25
\nThat will be bound or plead for every man.\u201d
\nStraight<\/span>15<\/sup><\/a><\/span> every poet was \u2019twixt hope and doubt,
\nAnd envy strove<\/span>16<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to put each other out.<\/p>\n

Homer, the first of poets, did begin,
\nBrought Greece and Troy for to be bound for him.<\/span>17<\/sup><\/a><\/span> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 30
\nVirgil brought<\/span>18<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Aeneas, he all Rome,
\nFor Horace all the countrymen did come.<\/span>19<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nFor Juv\u2019nal and Catull\u2019<\/span>20<\/sup><\/a><\/span> all satyrs joined,
\nAnd in firm bonds they all themselves did bind.
\nAnd for Tibullus, Venus and her son<\/span>21<\/sup><\/a><\/span> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 35
\nWould needs be bound,<\/span>22<\/sup><\/a><\/span> \u2019cause wanton verse he sung.<\/span>23<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nPythagoras his transmigration brings
\nOvid, who seals the<\/span>24<\/sup><\/a><\/span> bond with several things.
\nLucan brought Pompey, th\u2019Senate<\/span>25<\/sup><\/a><\/span> all in arms,
\nAnd Caesar\u2019s army with their<\/span>26<\/sup><\/a><\/span> hot alarms, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 40
\nWho mustered all i\u2019th\u2019Parthian fields; their hand<\/span>27<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAnd seal did freely set to Lucan\u2019s band.<\/span>28<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nPoets which epitaphs o\u2019th\u2019<\/span>29<\/sup><\/a><\/span> dead had made,
\nTheir ghosts did rise, fair Fame for to<\/span>30<\/sup><\/a><\/span> persuade
\nTo take their bonds, that they might live\u2014though dead\u2014 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 45
\nTo after ages when their names were read.
\nThe Muses nine came all at<\/span>31<\/sup><\/a><\/span> bar to plead,
\nWhich<\/span>32<\/sup><\/a><\/span> partial were, according as th\u2019were feed.<\/span>33<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAt last all poets were cast out but three,
\nWho did dispute which should Fame\u2019s<\/span>34<\/sup><\/a><\/span> husband be.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 50
\nPythagoras for Ovid first did speak,<\/span>35<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAnd said his<\/span>36<\/sup><\/a><\/span> numbers smooth, and words were sweet.
\n\u201cVariety,\u201d said he, \u201cdoth ladies please;<\/span>37<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThey<\/span>38<\/sup><\/a><\/span> change as oft as he makes beasts, birds, trees,
\nAs many several shapes and forms they take;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55
\nSome goddesses, and some do devils make.
\nThen let fair Fame sweet Ovid\u2019s lady be;
\nSince change doth please that sex, none\u2019s fit but he.\u201d
\nThen spoke Aeneas on brave Virgil\u2019s side,
\nDeclared he was the glory and the pride \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 60
\nOf all the Romans, who from him did spring,
\nAnd whose high praise he in his verse<\/span>39<\/sup><\/a><\/span> did sing.
\n\u201cThen let him speed, even for Venus\u2019s<\/span>40<\/sup><\/a><\/span> sake,
\nAnd for your husband no other may you<\/span>41<\/sup><\/a><\/span> take.\u201d
\nThen wise Ulysses<\/span>42<\/sup><\/a><\/span> in a rhet\u2019ric<\/span>43<\/sup><\/a><\/span> style\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 65
\nBegan his speech\u2014his<\/span>44<\/sup><\/a><\/span> tongue was smooth as oil\u2014
\nBowing his head down low,<\/span>45<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to Fame did speak:
\n\u201cI come to plead, although my wit is weak.
\nBut since my cause is just and truth my guide,
\nThe way is plain; I shall not err aside. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 70
\nHomer\u2019s lofty verse doth reach the heavens high,<\/span>46<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAnd brings the gods down from the airy sky,
\nAnd makes them side in factions for mankind,
\nAs<\/span>47<\/sup><\/a><\/span> now for Troy, then Greece, as pleased his mind.
\nSo<\/span>48<\/sup><\/a><\/span> walks he down to the<\/span>49<\/sup><\/a><\/span> infernals deep, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 75
\nAnd wakes the furies out of their dead sleep.
\nWith fancy\u2019s candle<\/span>50<\/sup><\/a><\/span> seeks about<\/span>51<\/sup><\/a><\/span> all Hell,
\nWhere every place and corner he knows well.
\nOpening the gates where sleepy dreams do lie,
\nWalking into th\u2019Elysium<\/span>52<\/sup><\/a><\/span> fields hard by, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 80
\nThere tells you how lovers<\/span>53<\/sup><\/a><\/span> their time employ,
\nAnd how<\/span>54<\/sup><\/a><\/span> pure souls in one another joy.
\nAs painters shadows make by<\/span>55<\/sup><\/a><\/span> mixing colors,
\nSo souls do<\/span>56<\/sup><\/a><\/span> mix of Platonic lovers,
\nShows how heroic spirits there do play \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 85
\nTh\u2019<\/span>57<\/sup><\/a><\/span>Olympic games to pass the time away,
\nAs how they run, leap, wrestle, swim, and ride,<\/span>58<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nWith exercises many oth\u2019r<\/span>59<\/sup><\/a><\/span> beside.
\nWhat poet, ever did before him<\/span>60<\/sup><\/a><\/span> tell
\nThe names of all the gods, and devils in Hell?<\/span>61<\/sup><\/a><\/span> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 90
\nTheir mansions and their pleasures he describes,
\nTheir powers and authorities divides.
\nTheir chronologies, which were before all<\/span>62<\/sup><\/a><\/span> time,
\nAnd their adulteries, he puts in rhyme.
\nBesides, great Fame, thy court he hath filled full \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 95
\nOf brave reports, which else<\/span>63<\/sup><\/a><\/span> an empty skull
\nIt<\/span>64<\/sup><\/a><\/span> would appear, and not like Heaven\u2019s throne,
\nNor like the firmament with stars thick strown,
\nMakes Hell appear with a majestic face,
\nBecause there are so many in that place. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 100
\nFame never could so great a queen have been
\nIf wits invention had not arts brought<\/span>65<\/sup><\/a><\/span> in.
\nYour court by poets\u2019 fire is<\/span>66<\/sup><\/a><\/span> made light;
\nQuenched out, you<\/span>67<\/sup><\/a><\/span> dwell as in perpetual night.
\nIt heats the spirits of men, inflames<\/span>68<\/sup><\/a><\/span> their blood, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 105
\nAnd makes them seek for actions great and good.
\nThen be you just, since you the balance hold;
\nLet not the leaden weights weigh down the gold.
\nIt were injustice, Fame, for you to make
\nA servant low his master\u2019s place to take.<\/span>69<\/sup><\/a><\/span> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 110
\nOr should you thieves that pick the purse<\/span>70<\/sup><\/a><\/span> prefer
\nBefore the owner, when<\/span>71<\/sup><\/a><\/span> condemned they were?
\nHis are not servant-lines,<\/span>72<\/sup><\/a><\/span> but what he leaves
\nThieves steal,<\/span>73<\/sup><\/a><\/span> and with the same<\/span>74<\/sup><\/a><\/span> the world deceives.
\nIf so, great Fame, \u2019twill be a heinous fact<\/span>75<\/sup><\/a><\/span> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 115
\nTo worship you, if you from right detract.<\/span>76<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nThen let the best of poets find such grace
\nIn your fair eyes, to choose him first in place.
\nLet all the rest come offer at thy<\/span>77<\/sup><\/a><\/span> shrine,
\nAnd show thyself<\/span>78<\/sup><\/a><\/span> a goddess that\u2019s divine.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 120
\n\u201cThen<\/span>79<\/sup><\/a><\/span> at your word, I\u2019ll<\/span>80<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Homer take,\u201d said Fame,
\nAnd if he prove<\/span>81<\/sup><\/a><\/span> not good, be you to blame.\u201d
\nUlysses bowed, and Homer kissed her hands,
\nAnd they were<\/span>82<\/sup><\/a><\/span> joined in matrimonial bands.
\nAnd Mercury from all the gods was sent \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 125
\nTo give her joy and wish her much content,
\nAnd all the poets were invited round,
\nAll that were known or in the world were<\/span>83<\/sup><\/a><\/span> found.
\nThen did they dance with measure and in time;<\/span>84<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nEach in their turn took out the Muses nine.<\/span>85<\/sup><\/a><\/span> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 130
\nIn numbers smooth did run their nimble feet<\/span>86<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nWhilst music played, and songs were sung most sweet.<\/span>87<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAt last the<\/span>88<\/sup><\/a><\/span> bride and bridegroom went to bed,
\nAnd there did<\/span>89<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Homer get<\/span>90<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Fame\u2019s maidenhead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A company of poets strove to buy Parnassus Hill, upon which Fame doth lie, And Helicon, a well that runs below, Of which all those that drink straight poets grow. But money they had none (for poets all are poor), \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5 And fancy, which is wit, is all their store. Thinking which … Continue reading The Purchase of Poets, or, a Dialogue betwixt the Poets and Fame, and Homer\u2019s Marriage<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[240,215],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dialogues","category-part2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1218"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1223,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1218\/revisions\/1223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}