Pictor in fabula

For indeed if the question were, whether it were better to have a particular act truly or falsy set downe, there is no doubt which is to be chosen, no more than when you had rather have Vespasian’s picture right as he was, or the painter’s pleasure nothing resembling. But if the question be for your owne use and learning, whether it be better to have it set downe as it should be, or as it was ; then certainly is more doctrinable, the fained Cyrus in Xenophon, than the true Cyrus in Justin ; and the fained Aenas in Virgil, than the right Aenas in Dares Phrygius : as to a lady that desired to fashion her countenance to the best grace : a painter shuld more benefite her to pourtrait a most sweete face, writing Canidia uppon it, than to paynt Canidia as shee was, who Horace sweareth was full ill favoured.  

That imitation whereof poetry is, hath the most conveniency to nature of all other; insomuch that, as Aristotle saith, those things which in themselves are horrible, as cruel battles, unnatural monsters, are made, in poetical imitation, delightful.