How Poets were the first Philosophers, the first Astronomeers,
and Historiographers, and Orators, and Musicians in the world. 5
How euery wilde and sauadge people vse a kind of natural Poesie
in versiete and rime, as our vulgar is. 7
Whence the riming Poesie came first to the Greekes and Latines,
and how it had altered, and almost spilt their maner of Poesie. 7
How in the time of Charlemaynes raigne and many yeares after him,
the Latine Poets wrote in rime. 8
In what reputation Poets and Poesie were in the old time with
Princes, and otherwise generally, & how they be now become
contemptible, and for what causes. 11
How Poesie shoulde not be employed vpon vaine conceits,
nor specially those that bee vicious or infamous. 18
The subiect or matter of Poesie, what it is. 18
Of Poems and their sundrie sortes, and how thereby the
auncient Poets receaued Surnames. 19
In what forms of Poesie the gods of the gentils were praysed
and honored. 21
In what forme of Poesie vice, & the common abases of mans life
were reprehended. 24