mitation; or Stealing Sentiments from the_ ANTIENTS.

If a direct Imitation of the Thoughts of the _Greeks_ and _Romans_,
shows no great Richness of Genius, in any kind of Poetry, in Pastoral
'tis much more to be avoided. If a Hero does sometimes talk out _HOMER_
and _VIRGIL_, 'tis not so shocking, because tis not dissonant to Reason
to suppose such a Person acquainted with Letters and Authors; nor is an
Heroick Poems Essence Simplicity; But if a Modern gives me the Talk of a
Shepherd, and I have seen it almost all before in _THEOCRITUS_, _VIRGIL_
and _SPENCER_, it cannot delight me. For that Poetry pleases the most,
that deceives the most naturally. But how can I, while I am reading a
pastoral, impose upon my self that I am among Swains and in the Country,
if I remember all they say is in _Greek_ and _Roman_ Authors. And few
read _Modern-Writers_ but have read the _Antients_ first. A Shepherd
should speak from his Heart, as if he had no design of Pleasing, but
is prompted to utter all he says: But if in all he says we see an
Imitation, or a Thought stole from other Authors, it destroys all
Simplicity, shows Design and Labour.

Besides, Epick Poetry warms and elevates the Mind, hurries it on with
fury and Violence, which prevents our noting any slight Inacuracy, so as
to be offended by it; but in so cool a Poem as Pastoral, whose design
is to sooth and soften the Mind, we have leasure to consider every
Unnaturalness and every Improbability.

SECT. 2.

_Of_ Soloman'_s Allegorical pastorals; Entitled_ The CANTICLES.

Yet I know not how, tho' 'tis so unnatural to find Thoughts in the
Mouths of Shepherds, which we have observ'd in _THEOCRITUS_ and
_VIRGIL_, yet I am never better pleased than with those Thoughts which
are taken out of the Scripture. Methinks the Thoughts in the CANTICLES
are so exceeding fine for Pastoral that 'tis pity to give 'em any other
Turn than what they have there; and if I did take any of those Pastoral
Sentiments, I would translate the whole Passage as we there find it.

_MILTON_ in his soft Passages has often imitated the Thoughts in the
CANTICLES; and Mr. _PHILIPS_ has taken from thence the hint of the
finest Image but one he has in his Pastorals.

_Breath soft ye Winds, ye Waters gently flow,
Shield her ye Trees, ye Flow'rs around her grow,
Ye Swains, I beg ye pass in silence by,
My Love in yonder Vale asleep doth lye_.

My not disliking Thoughts taken from the CANTICLES, ma