It is not a question of disputing the awards of glory or of proposing a revised list. Such as it is, it serves its purpose. It may have the same usefulness as the arbitrary classifications of botany. It is not a matter of amending it, it is a matter of tearing it up. That Racine is a better poet than Tristan l'Hermite, and that _Iphigénie_ is superior to _Marianne_, are two propositions unequally true; for we might quite as well be asked to compare this, which is by Racine: Que c'est une chose charmante De voir cet étang gracieux Où, comme en un lit précieux, L'onde est toujours calme et dormante! Quelles richesses admirables N'ont point ces nageurs marquetés, Ces poissons aux dos argentés, Sur leurs écailles agréables![10] with this, which is by Tristan: Auprès de cette grotte sombre Où l'on respire un air si doux, L'onde lutte avec les cailloux, Et la lumière avec que l'ombre. Ces flots, las de l'exercice Qu'ils ont fait dessus ce gravier, Se reposent dans ce vivier, Où mourut autrefois Narcisse. L'ombre de cette fleur vermeille Et celle de ces jons pendans Paraissent estre la-dedans Les songes de l'eau qui someille.[11] I am well aware that I am here comparing the best of Tristan with the worst of Racine; but all the same, if Racine had his park, Tristan had his garden, and it is often agreeable there. Let us then tear up the list of awards in order to remain ignorant of the fact that Tristan l'Hermite is a poet "whose versification is ridiculous,"[12] so that our pleasure in meeting him may not thus be spoiled in advance, and so that, with him, we may dare address his muse: Fay moy boire au creux de tes mains, Si l'eau n'en dissout point la neige. This is the drawback to comparative methods. Having set up the great poet of the century as a standard, the critics thereafter value the others merely as precursors or as disciples.[13] Authors are often judged according to what they are not, through failure to understand their particular genius, and often also through failure to question them themselves. Pratinas, truly, is better treated. He enjoys silence.