finest, what 'tis that constitutes the Difference between the Language
of one and that of another; and also what Rank or Class each Dialect
belongs to; I have done the same as to the Writings of Mr. _Row_. And
I observe that the chiefest Means he makes use of to render his Tragick
Language at once Uncommon and Delightful, is the Figurative Way of
considering Things as Persons. What I mean is this.

----_Comfort
Dispels the sullen Shades with her sweet Influence_.

And again:

----_My wrongs will tear their Way,
And rush at once upon thee_.

Jane Shore: _Act_ 1.

And this is extreamly frequent, especially in Jane Shore. And nothing
can be more Beautiful in Heroick Language; and this Author has some
Sentiments dress'd, by this Figurative Way, as finely as most of
_Shakespear_'s; As this

_Care only wakes, and moping Pensiveness;
With Meagre, discontented Looks they sit,
And watch the wasting of the Mid-night Taper_.

Now what is this but imaging almost every thing, or turning as many
Thoughts as possible into Images?

Now if the Thoughts in strong Lines, (as they call 'em) appear best in
Imagery, how much more will Pastoral Thoughts. The former have Passion
and Heat to support 'em, the latter are entirely Simple. And If Heroick
Writers are fond of Images, how much more should Pastoral Writers avoid
a long Series of bare Thoughts, and endeavour to Address the Mind of the
Reader with a constant Variety of Pictures.

What I have here delivered may seem trifling to the Reader. But if he
looks into the modern Pastoral-Writers he'll observe that the Scarcity
of Images goes a great way towards making their Pieces flat and insipid.
And 'tis impossible indeed to have a sufficient Variety of Images in a
Pastoral that is compos'd by nought but a mournful Speech or Complaint.
Therefore a Writer who would not only write regular, but also delightful
Pastorals, should doubtless run very much upon Description.

I need not make the Distinction between an Epick and a Pastoral Writer's
manner of Imaging. They are widely different; nor can a Pastoral Image
so many Things as an Epick Writer. For he cannot consider Things as
Persons, nor use the other Methods that Heroick Poetry takes to effect
it.

CHAP. V.

_Of the Thoughts. And which are proper for Pastoral, which not_.

I Shall not consider those Thoughts which are, in their own Nature,
Vicious; a