ian_ bestow'd on
_Stesichorus_, who _with his Harp bore up the most weighty subjects
of_ Epick _Poetry_; for _Virgil_ sang great and lofty things to his
Oaten Reed, but yet suited to the Humor of a Shepherd, for every thing
that is not agreeable to that, cannot belong to _Pastoral_: of its own
nature it cannot treat of lofty and great matters.

Therefore let _Pastoral_ be smooth and soft, not noisy and bombast;
lest whilst it raiseth its voice, and opens its mouth, it meet with
the same fate that, they say, an _Italian_ Shepherd did, who having a
very large mouth, and a very strong breath, brake his Pipe as often as
he blow'd it. This is a great fault in one that writes _Pastorals_:
for if his words are too sounding, or his sense too strong, he must be
absurd, because indecently loud. And this is not the rule of an
unskilful {54} impertinent Adviser, but rather of a very excellent
Master in this _Art_; for _Phoebus_ twitcht _Virgil_ by the Ear, and
warn'd him to forbear great Subjects: but if it ventures upon such, it
may be allow'd to use some short _Invocations_, and, as _Epicks_ do,
modestly implore the assistance of a Muse. This _Virgil_ doth in his
_Pollio_, which is a Composure of an unusual loftiness:

_Sicilian_ Muse begin a loftier strain.

So he invocates _Arethusa_, when _Cornelius Gallus Proconsul of
AEgypt_ and his _Amours_, matters above the common reach of _Pastoral_,
are his Subject.

One Labor more O _Arethusa_ yield.

Why he makes his application to _Aretheusa_ is easy to conjecture,
for she was a _Nymph_ of _Sicily_, and so he might hope that she could
inspire him with a _Genius_ fit for _Pastorals_ which first began in
that _Island_, Thus in the seventh and eighth _Eclogue_, as the matter
would bear, he invocates the Nymphs and Muses: And _Theocritus_ does
the same,

Tell Goddess, you can tell.

From whence 'tis evident that in _Pastoral_, tho it never pretends to
any greatness, _Invocations_ {55} may be allow'd: But whatever Subject
it chooseth, it must take care to accommodate it to the Genius and
Circumstances of a Shepherd.

Concerning the Form, or mode of _Imitation_, I shall not repeat what
I have already said, _viz._ that this is in it self _mixt_; for
_Pastoral_ is either _Alternate_, or hath but _one Person_, or is
_mixt_ of both: yet 'tis properly and chiefly _Alternate_. as is
evident from that of _Theocritus_.

Sing _Rural_ strains, for as we march along
We may deli