A Full Enquiry into the Nature of the Pastoral (1717) by Thomas Purney
page 65 of 105 (61%)
page 65 of 105 (61%)
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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; as the Ambiguous, the Pointed, the Insipid, the Refined, the Bombast, and the rest. But of those Kind of Thoughts which are in themselves good, only these three do properly belong to Pastoral; namely, The Agreeable, or Joyous; The Mournful, or Piteous; And the Soft or Tender. Yet the rest of those Thoughts which are in their own Nature good, may be so order'd as to bear a part in Pastoral. For as We may make a Shepherd false to his Mistress, if he be offended with the Levity of his Nature; so We may make a Lass Ill-natured and Satyrical, for Instance, |
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