ot give my Opinion of the following Similies; yet I might say
that I think 'em not altogether so fine as the foregoing two. Altho'
they contain delightful Images

_As Milk-white Swans on Silver Streams do show,
And Silver Streams to grace the Meadows flow;
As Corn the Vales and Trees the Hills adorn,
So thou to thine an Ornament was't born_.

_Past_. 3.

The next relates to the Sweetness of _Colinet_'s Voice.

_Not half so sweet are Midnight Winds, that move
In drowsy Murmurs o're the waving Grove;
Nor dropping Waters, that in Grotts distil,
And with a tinkling Sound their Caverns fill_.

_Past_. 4.

Methinks thus dressing a Thought so pompous in SIMILIES, raises so our
Expectation, that we are fit to smile when the last Line comes.

There are also another kind of Similies, which being heapt in the same
manner, seem to be design'd by _VIRGIL_, and those who have taken their
Thoughts from him, rather to fill up Space with somthing Pastoral, than
to be the natural Talk of Shepherds. For Swains are not suppos'd to
retard their Storys by many or long SIMILIES; their Talk comes from the
Heart, Unornamental; but Similies, in Pastoral, are for Ornament. But I
must show what kind of Thoughts I mean, which I also account SIMILIES,
but they have a peculiar Turn given to 'em. I remember but two in Mr.
_PHILIPS_ Pastorals.

_First then shall lightsome Birds forget to fly,
The briny Ocean turn to pastures dry,
And every rapid River cease to flow,
'Ere I unmindful of_ Menalcas _grow_.

The other is this.

_While Mallow Kids; and Endive Lambs pursue;
While Bees love Thyme; and Locusts sip the Dew;_
_While Birds delight in Woods their Notes to strain,
Thy Name and sweet Memorial shall remain_.

But now I have given Examples of those Similies which seem faulty; and
quoted at the beginning of the Section, some that are good; I will bring
an Instance of a SIMILIE, which is more delightful to the Fancy than all
these put together; and which show's that _Theocritus_ thought 'twas a
small thing to put down Pastoral Thoughts or Images, if he did not cull
the most pleasurable in Nature. _CREECH_ has translated it very well.
_DAPHNIS_ had conquer'd _MENALCAS_ in Singing.

_The Boy rejoyc'd, he leap'd with youthful Heat,
As sucking Colts leap when they swig the Teat;
The other griev'd, he hung his bashful Head,
As marry'd Virgins when first laid in Bed_.

CHAP. VIII.

_Of i