{66} That poetry is the mother of lies.

{67} That poetry is the nurse of abuse, infecting us with wanton
and pestilent desires.

{68} Rampire, rampart, the Old French form of "rempart," was
"rempar," from "remparer," to fortify.

{69} "I give him free leave to be foolish." A variation from the
line (Sat. I. i. 63), "Quid facias illi? jubeas miserum esse
libenter."

{70} That Plato banished poets from his ideal Republic.

{71} Which authority certain barbarous and insipid writers would
wrest into meaning that poets were to be thrust out of a state.

{72} Ion is a rhapsodist, in dialogue with Socrates, who cannot
understand why it is that his thoughts flow abundantly when he talks
of Homer. "I can explain," says Socrates; "your talent in
expounding Homer is not an art acquired by system and method,
otherwise it would have been applicable to other poets besides. It
is a special gift, imparted to you by Divine power and inspiration.
The like is true of the poet you expound. His genius does not
spring from art, system, or method: it is a special gift emanating
from the inspiration of the Muses. A poet is light, airy, holy
person, who cannot compose verses at all so long as his reason
remains within him. The Muses take away his reason, substituting in
place of it their own divine inspiration and special impulse . . .
Like prophets and deliverers of oracles, these poets have their