in his musical poems as in his critiques. Each time I contemplate the benefits<hr>
and charms of poetry, my passion grows. I would say that Dido's chastity pleases me less<hr>
in History than her weakness and despair in the Aeneid. Therefore, Maecenas, judge if those<hr>
who know how to make evil seem so pleasant cannot make good shine with all its whims.<hr>
What happens when those who excel in persuading others with lies cannot get the truth accepted?<hr>
        You know, Maecenas, that some dare to assert that Scamander is just a small stream, and<hr>
that Troy never existed. And yet, Homer has gained credibility among all nations. Each of the<hr>
heroes he introduces in his Iliad, or Odyssey, has their companions and advocates. And the most<hr>
truthful history does not interest readers as much as these two wonderful works. Thus, princes<hr>
should remember that those capable of immortalizing their fantasies and imagination can also<hr>
prolong their own existence when they become worthy. It's up to them to sing of their princes'<hr>
victories, but it's also up to the princes to allow them to enjoy the fruits of these victories. Those<hr>
who claim that the Muses do not seek comfort and that solitude and poverty are necessary for/hr>
creating their works might change their minds when they learn that the generosity of Octavian and<hr>
Maecenas didn't prevent Virgil from achieving masterpieces, Horace from gaining worldwide<hr>
fame, and Titus Livius from earning everlasting glory.<hr>
        Indeed, it is obvious that those who create beautiful things when they work out of necessity<hr>
would do wonders if they worked solely for their passion for glory. A splendid purpose would<hr>
elevate their spirits to the heavens, whereas sadness and hardship would bring them down, blind<hr>
them, and make them crawl on the ground. All the time they spend complaining about fate,<hr>
accusing injustices of their time, blaming the ignorance of their fellow men, and denouncing the<hr>
greed of their princes would be better used on more noble subjects. I am aware that solitude,<hr>
fountains, rivers, meadows and woods have always been considered conducive to composing<hr>
beautiful works, but when the creator owns all these things through his imagination, I don't see<hr>
how they would obstruct his glory. And he would depict the beauty of his meadow better than<hr>
another’s, the shadow of his woods would protect him better from the sun's heat than his neighbors’,<hr>
the murmur of his springs would bring him more tranquil thoughts than those of the public. A<hr>
river he is attached to would seem more fitting for a beautiful description than if it was viewed<hr>
with an indifferent eye. And finally, occasional solitude will provide more pleasant ideas than those<hr>
imposed on him. It is true that shepherds' huts make a landscape more homely, but as painters<hr>
always place them in the background, poets should observe them during their journeys or from<hr>
the windows of their palaces. How can it be imagined that a man who spends his entire life in<hr>
discomfort, sorrow, and seclusion could talk about the abundance he does not have, the magnificence<hr>
he does not see, the court he has not<hr>
<hr>
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                                                      120<hr>