the thoughts and those in the Pollio of Virgil. This will not seem surprising, when we reflect that the Eclogue was taken from a Sibylline prophecy on the same subject. One may judge that Virgil did not copy it line by line, but selected such ideas as best agreed with the nature of Pastoral Poetry, and disposed them in that manner which served most to beautify his piece. I have endeavoured the same in this imitation of him, though without admitting any thing of my own; since it was written with this particular view, that the reader, by comparing the several thoughts, might see how far the images and descriptions of the Prophet are superior to those of the Poet. But as I fear I have prejudiced them by my management, I shall subjoin the passages of Isaiah, and those of Virgil, under the same disadvantage of a literal translation. YE Nymphs of Solyma! begin the song: To heav'nly themes sublimer strains belong. The mossy fountains, and the sylvan shades, The dreams of Pindus, and th' Aonian maids, Delight no more -O Thou my voice inspire Who touch'd Isaiah's hallow'd lips with fire! Rapt into future times, the bard begun: A virgin shall conceive, a virgin bear a son! 1 IMITATIONS 1 Virg. Ecl. iv. ver. 6. 'Jam redit et Virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna; 'Now the virgin returns, now the kingdom of Saturn returns, now a new progeny is sent down from high heaven. By means of thee, whatever relics of our crimes remain, shall be wiped away, and free the world from perpetual fears. He shall govern the earth in peace, with the virtues of his father.' Isaiah, ch. vii. ver. 14. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son.' Chap. ix. ver. 6, 7. Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given... the Prince of Peace: of the increase of his government, and of his peace, there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it, with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.' See spicy clouds from lowly Saron rise, And Carmel's flow'ry top perfumes the skies! Hark! a glad voice the lonely desert cheers;1 31 Prepare the way!2 a God, a God appears! Sink down, ye Mountains, and, ye valleys, rise; With heads declin'd, ye Cedars, homage pay; Be smooth, ye Rocks; ye rapid floods, give way; The Saviour comes, by ancient bards foretold! Hear him, ye deaf, and all ye blind, hold! be nores, Cara deum soboles, magnum Jovis incrementum! Ipsi lætitia voces ad sidera jactant 'O come and receive the mighty honours: the time draws nigh, O beloved offspring of the Gods, O great increase of Jove! ... The uncultivated mountains send shouts of joy to the stars, the very rocks sing in verse, the very shrubs cry out, A God, a God.' Isaiah, chap. xl. ver. 3, 4. 'The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a high way for our God. Every valley By day o'ersees them, and by night protects; The tender lambs he raises in his arms, Feeds from his hand, and in his bosom warms; Thus shall mankind his guardian care engage, The promis'd Father of the future age. No more shall nation against nation rise, Nor ardent warriors meet with hateful eyes, Nor fields with gleaming steel be cover'd o'er, The brazen trumpets kindle rage no more; But useless lances into scythes shall bend, 61 And the broad falchion in a ploughshare end. Then palaces shall rise; the joyful son Shall finish what his short-lived sire begun; Their vines a shadow to their race shall yield, And the same hand that sow'd shall reap the field: The swain in barren deserts with surprise See lilies spring, and sudden verdure rise; 10 And start, amidst the thirsty wilds, to hear New falls of water murm'ring in his ear. 70 shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.' Chap. xliv. ver. 23. Break forth into singing, ye mountains! O forest, and every tree therein for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob.' 2 Ch. xl. ver. 3, 4. 8 Isaiah, ch. xlii. ver. 18; ch. xxxv. ver. 5, 6. 4 Ch. xxv. ver. 8. 5 Ch. xl. ver. 11. 6 Ch. ix. ver. 6. 7 Isaiah, ch. ii. ver. 4. 8 Ch. lxv. ver. 21, 22. 9 Ch. xxxv. ver. 1, 7. 10 Virg. Ecl. iv. ver. 28. 'Molli paulatim flavescet campus arista, Incultisque rubens pendebit sentibus uva, Et duræ quercus sudabunt roscida mella.' 'The fields shall grow yellow with ripened ears, and the red grape shall hang upon the |