laudable occafions, must give you a place in the affections of all Englishmen who know the interest of their native country: and to thofe virtues, more than to the private friendship with which your Grace has long honoured me, I make this offering of the few poetical Pieces which were the produce of my leisure, but some of my most pleasant, hours: your Grace will be able to distinguish thofe which have been printed before, from those which now make their first appearance: and I number among the felicities of my days this opportunity of approaching you with something perhaps not unworthy your acceptance; and I have the honour to be, PASTORAL POEMS. Noftra nec erubuit fylvas habitare Thalia." VIRG. Ecl. 6. PREFACE. IT is fomewhat ftrange to conceive, in an age fo ad dicted to the Mules, how Paftoral Poetry comes to be never fo much as thought upon; confidering efpecially, that it is of the greatest antiquity, and hath ever been accounted the foremost, among the fmaller poems in dignity. Virgil and Spenfer made use of it as a prelude to Epic Poetry: but, I fear, the innocency of the fubject makes it fo little inviting. There is no kind of Poem, if happily executed, but gives delight; and herein may the Paftoral boaft after a peculiar manner: for, as in Painting, fo in Poetry, the country affords not only the moft delightful scenes and profpects, but likewife the most pleafing images of life. Gafiendus (I remember) obferves, that Peireikius was a great lover of music, especially the melody of birds because their fimple ftrains have lefs of paffion : and violence, but more of a sedate and quiet harmony and, therefore, do they rather befriend contemplation. In dike manner, the Paftoral Song gives a fweet and gentle compofure to the mind; whereas the Epic and Tragic Poems, by the vehemency of their emotions, raife the fpirits into a ferment. To view a fair stately palace, ftrikes us indeed with admiration, and fwells the foul with notions of grandeur: but when I fee a little-country-dwelling, advantageously fituated amidst a beauteful variety of hills, meadows, fields, woods, and rivulets, I feel an unfpeakable fort of fatisfaction, and cannot forbearwishing my kinder fortune would place me in such a sweet retirement. Theocritus, Virgil, and Spenfer, are the only Poets who seem to have hit upon the true nature of Pastoral Compofitions: fo that it will be fufficient praise for me, if I have not altogether failed in my attempt. THE FIRST PASTORAL, IF LOBBIN. F we, O Dorfet, quit the city-throng, By your command, be prefent: and, O bring 12 Begin. In unluxurious times of yore, When flocks and herds were no inglorious ftore, Lobbin, a fhepherd-boy, one evening fair, As western winds had cool'd the fultry air, His number'd sheep within the fold now pent, Thus plain'd him of his dreary discontent; Beneath a hoary poplar's whispering boughs, He, folitary, fat to breathe his vows, Venting the tender anguish of his heart, As paffion taught, in accents free of art: And little did he hope, while, night by night, His fighs were lavish'd thus on Lucy bright. "Ah, well-a-day! how long must I endure This pining pain? Or who shall speed my cure?, 20 Fond love no cure will have, feek no repofe, Delights in grief, nor any measure knows : And now the moon begins in clouds to rise; The brightening stars increase within the skies; zą 16 "The The winds are hufh; the dews diftil; and fleep Up-raise my heedless head, then void of care, 28 32 To please the lads, and win the laffes' hearts? 36 Wont they, upon the green, to fhift their feet? 40 For many fongs and tales of mirth had I, 44 To rocks and woods pour forth my fruitlefs moan. Oh! quit thy wonted fcorn, relentless Fair! Ere, lingering long, I perifh through defpair. 48 "Had Rofalind been mistress of my mind, "Though not fo fair, fhe would have prov'd more kind. "O think, unwitting maid, while yet is time, "How flying years impair thy youthful prime! "Thy virgin-bloom will not for ever stay, And flowers, though left ungather'd, will decay : 52 "The |