if 'tis not in her Temper, but assumed only for a good Purpose.


SECT. 2.

_Of those Thoughts which are proper for Pastoral, how to Judge which are
finest_.

I need only observe, that where is the greatest Combination of those
things which make the best Figure in Pastoral, that is always the best
Thought. As a Thought that is not only agreeable or Beautiful, but has
also Simplicity. The two finest Passages that I remember in _THEOCRITUS_
for their Simplicity, are these. Which are exceeding well Translated
by _CREECH_; whose Language (next to some of _Spencer's_) is vastly the
best we have, for pastoral. I will quote the whole Passage.

Daph.) _And as I drove my Herd, a lovely Maid
Stood peeping from a Cave; she smil'd, and said,
Daphnis is lovely, ah! a lovely Youth;
What Smiles, what Graces sit upon his Mouth!
I made no sharp Returns, but hung my Head
And went my Way, yet pleas'd with what she said_.

Idyll. 8.

Of the same Nature is what _COMATAS_ says in another Place.

Com.) _I milk two Goats; a Maid in yonder Plain
Lookt on, and Sigh'd_, Dost milk thy self poor Swain!