ds as they fed their Flocks, either by the impulse of
nature, or in imitation of the notes of Birds, or the whispering of
Trees._

For since the first men were either _Sheapards_ or _Ploughmen_, and
_Sheapards_, as may be gathered out of _Thucydides_ and _Varro_, were
before the others, they were the first that either invited by their
leisure, or (which _Lucretius_ thinks more probable) in imitation of
Birds, began a tune.

Thro all the Woods they heard the pleasing noise
Of chirping Birds, and try'd to frame their voice,
And Imitate, thus Birds instructed man,
And taught them Songs before their Art began.

In short, tis so certain that Verses first began in the Country that
the thing is in it self evident, and this _Tibullus_ very plainly
signifies,

{8} First weary at his Plough the labouring Hind
In certain feet his rustick words did bind:
His dry reed first he tun'd at sacred feasts
To thanks the bounteous Gods, and cheer his Guests.

_In certain feet_ according to _Bern Cylenius_ of _Verona_ his
interpretation _in set measures_: for _Censorinus_ tells us, that the
antient Songs were loose and not ty'd up to any strict numbers, and
afterwards by certain laws and acknowledged rules were confin'd to
such and such measures: for this is the method of Nature in all her
works, from imperfect and rude beginnings things take their first
rise, and afterwards by fit and apposite additions are polish't, and
brought to perfection: such were the Verses which heretofore the
_Italian_ Sheapards and Plough-men, as _Virgil_ says, sported amongst
themselves.

Italian Plough-men sprung from antient _Troy_
Did sport unpolish't Rhymes--

_Lucretius_ in his Fifth Book _de Natura Rerum_, says, that Sheapards
were first taught by the rushing of soft Breezes amongst the Canes to
blow their Reeds, and so by degrees to put their Songs in tune.

For Whilst soft Evening Gales blew or'e the Plains
And shook the sounding Reeds, they taught the Swains,
And thus the Pipe was fram'd, and tuneful Reed,
And whilst the Flocks did then securely feed,
The harmless Sheapards tun'd their Pipes to Love,
{9} And Amaryllis name fill'd every Grove.

From all which tis very plain that _Poetry_ began in those days, when
Sheapards took up their employment: to this agrees _Donatus_ in his
Life of _Virgil_, and _Pontanus_ in his Fifth Book of Stars, as
appears by these Verses.

Here underneath a shade by purling Sp