FROM PREFACE TO FABLES, ANCIENT AND MODERN - John Dryden

Sep 18, 2026

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John Dryden’s preface frames a poetic comparison between Chaucer, Ovid, and related Italian writers, arguing for a judgment readers can make when stories are set in the same refined English style. He explains his intent to turn Canterbury Tales into contemporary language to align poets “in the same Light” for fair comparison. He also addresses his methods of composing in verse and prose, the time and circumstances of writing, and his confidence in the moral instruction and overall irreverence-free aim of his fables.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Preface: Comparing ancient and modern poets

Purpose of translating and refining Chaucer

Relationship among Chaucer, Boccace, and other writers

The author’s method and appeal to the reader

Moral instruction and defense of irreverent expressions

# FROM PREFACE TO FABLES,ANCIENT AND MODERNJOHN DRYDEN BUT TO RETURN:Having donc with Ovid for this time,it cameinto my mind,that our old English Poet Chaucer in many Thingsresembled him,and that with no disadvantage on the Side of theModern Author,as I shall endeavour to prove when I com-pare them:And as I am,and always have been studious topromote the Honour of my Native Country,so I soon resolv'dto put their Merits to the Trial by turning some of the Canter-bury Tales into our Language,as it is now refin'd:For by thisMeans both the Poets being set in the same Light,and dress'din the same English Habit,Story to be compar'd with Story,a certain Judgment may be made betwixt them by the Reader,without obtruding my Opinion on him:Or if I seem partial tomy Countryman,and Predecessor in the Laurel,the Friends ofAntiquity are not few:And besides many of the Learn’d,Ovidhas almost all the Beaux,and the whole Fair Sex,his declar'dPatrons.Perhaps I have assum'd somewhat more to my self thanthey allow me;because I have adventur'd to sum up the Evi-dence:But the Readers are the Jury;and their Privilege remainsentire to decide according to the merits of the Cause:Or,ifthey please to bring it to another Hearing,before some otherCourt.In the mean time,to follow the Thrid of my Discourse,(as Thoughts,according to Mr.Hobbs,have always some Con-nection),so from Chaucer I was led to think on Boccace,whowas not only his Contemporary,but also pursu'd the same Studies;wrote Novels in Prose,and many Works in Verse;particularlyis said to have invented the Octave Rhyme,or Stanza of EightLines,which ever since has been maintain'd by the Practice ofall Italian Writers who are,or at least assume the Title of HeroicPoets:He and Chaucer,among other Things,had this in common,that they refin'd their Mother-Tongues;but with this difference,that Dante had begun to file their Language,at least in Verse,before the time of Boccace,who likewise receiv'd no little Helpfrom his master Petrarch;But the Reformation of their Prose was wholly owing to Boccace himself;who is yet the Standardof Purity in the Italian tonguc;though many of his Phrases arebecome obsolctc,as in process of Time it must needs happen.Chaucer(as you have formerly becn told by our learn'd Mr.Rhymer)first adorn'd and amplified our barren Tongue from theProvencall,which was then the most polish'd of all the ModernLanguages;But this Subjcct has bcen copiously treated by thatgreat Critick,who deserves no little Commendation from us hisCountrymen. For these Reasons of Time,and Resemblance of Genius,inChaucer and Boccace,I resolv'd to join them in my presentWork;to which I have added some Original Papers of my own,which whether they are equal or inferiour to my other Poems,an Author is the most improper Judge;and therefore I leathem wholly to the Mercy of the Reader:I will hope the bst,that they will not be condemn'd;but if they should,I have theexcuse of an old Gentleman who,mounting on Horseback beforesome Ladies,when I was present,got up somewhat heavily,butdesir'd of the Fair Spectators,that they would count Fourscoreand eight before they judg'd him.By the Mercy of God,I amalready come within Twenty Years of his Number,a Cripple inmy Limbs,but what Decays are in my Mind,the Reader mustdetermine.I think myself as vigorous as ever in the Faculties ofmy soul,excepting only my Memory,which is not impair'd toany great degree;and if I lose not more of it,I have no greatreason to complain.What Judgment I had,increases rather thandiminishes;and Thoughts,such as they are,come crowding inso fast upon me,that my only Difficulty is to chuse or to reject;to run them into Verse,or to give them the other Harmony ofProse.I have so long studied and practis'd both,that they aregrown into a Habit,and become familiar to me.In short,thoughI may lawfully plead some part of the old Gentleman's Excuse;yet I will reserve it till I think I have greater need,and ask naGrains of Allowance for the Faults of this my prese

FAQs

What is Dryden’s main purpose in the preface?

Dryden aims to compare poets by rendering Chaucer’s tales in refined modern English so readers can judge similarities and differences fairly.

How does Dryden justify turning the Canterbury Tales into English?

He argues that placing stories “in the same Light” and “dress’d in the same English Habit” allows story-to-story comparison without forcing his opinion.

What does Dryden say about morality and irreverence in his fables?

He claims he wrote nothing intentionally immoral or profane, but admits occasional irreverent expressions may have entered through inadvertence, while maintaining the fables’ instructive moral purpose.

Sep 18, 2026

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