Pagina 413 di 1391

BOOK X. Many things pleased me in the order of our State, but

there was nothing which I liked better than the regulation about

poetry. The division of the soul throws a new light on our

exclusion of imitation. I do not mind telling you in confidence

that all poetry is an outrage on the understanding, unless the

hearers have that balm of knowledge which heals error. I have

loved Homer ever since I was a boy, and even now he appears to me

to be the great master of tragic poetry. But much as I love the

man, I love truth more, and therefore I must speak out: and first

of all, will you explain what is imitation, for really I do not

understand? 'How likely then that I should understand!' That

might very well be, for the duller often sees better than the

keener eye. 'True, but in your presence I can hardly venture to

say what I think.' Then suppose that we begin in our old fashion,

with the doctrine of universals. Let us assume the existence of

beds and tables.