s and simplicity of that Age, may be
drawn into the other, namely the middle state, which we prefer; if the
Characters be proper.

Besides, I should not be fond of describing the Golden-Age, because we
are not so much interested and concern'd in what was only some thousand
Years ago, and ne're will be again. If the Poet possesses us with
agreeable Sentiments of our own Country (by describing it, but omitting
all that is not delightful in it) we are doubly pleas'd with the
Consideration that it may be in our own Power to enjoy the sweet
Amusement: and we are apt to fancy while we are reading, that were
we among those Swains, we could solace our selves in their easy
Retirements, and on their tender Banks in the same manner that they do.

And since Poetry, the more naturally it deceives, the more fully it
pleases; I should be very desirous, methinks, of giving my Pieces as
great an Appearance of Probability, as possible. And in our way, the
Poet may, to add yet more to the Probability, mention several Places in
the Country, which actually are to be found there; and will have several
Opportunities of giving his Stories an Air of Truth.

SECT. 2.

_The Method of_ Theocritus, _and all his followers, shown to be
inferiour, from the Nature of the Human Mind_.

But further, to shew that we should not describe the Country in
it's Fatigues, it's Roughness, or it's Meanest, take these Few
Considerations. For, as no Writer whom I have read (but that excellent
Frenchman _FONTENEL_,) has raised his Shepherds and Shepherdesses above
the vulgar and common sort of Neat-herds and Ploughers, I am oblig'd to
dwell a little the longer on this Head.

It may be observ'd, I think, that there are but two States of Life
which are particularly pleasant to the Mind of Man; the busy, great,
or pompous; and the retir'd, soft, or easy. More are delighted with the
former than with the latter kind, which affoard's a calm Pleasure, that
does not strike so sensibly, but proceeds much from the Imagination.
Perhaps this may be the reason why Epick and Tragick Poetry are more
universally pleasing than Pastoral; for they describe the Actions of
such Persons, as most Men are dazled and enamour'd with; and would
willingly quit their own Stations in Life for.

But tho' this State of Life may perhaps be more generally engaging than
the soft and retir'd; 'tis certain the soft is the next eligible, and
consequently will shine the most next in Poetry. As n