certain that the Manners of the first Men were so plain and simple,
that we may easily derive both the innocent imployment of Shepherds,
and Pastorals from them.


{16} _The Second_ PART.

Now let us inquire into the nature of _Pastoral_, in what its
excellencies consist, and how it must be made to be exact: And this
must needs be a hard Task, since I have no guide, neither _Aristotle_
nor _Horace_ to direct me; for both they, whatever was the matter,
speak not one word of this sort of Verse. And I am of opinion that
none can treat well and clearly of any kind of _Poetry_ if he hath no
helps from these two: But since they lay down some general Notions of
_Poetry_ which may be useful in the present case, I shall follow their
steps as close as possible I can.

Not only _Aristotle_ but _Horace_ too hath defin'd that _Poetry_ in
general is Imitation; I mention only these two, for tho _Plato_ in his
Second Book _de Rep._ and in his _Timæus_ delivers the same thing, I
shall not make use of his Authority at all: Now as _Comedy_ according
to _Aristotle_ is the _Image and Representation of a gentiel and City
Life_, so is _Pastoral Poetry_ of a County and _Sheapards_ Life; for
since _Poetry_ in general is Imitation; its several _Species_ must
likewise Imitate, take _Aristotles_ own words _Cap._ 1. *pasai
tynchanousin ousa mimêseis*; And these _Species_ are {17} differenc't
either by the subject matter, when the things to be imitated are quite
different, or when the manner in which you imitate, or the mode of
imitation is so: *en trisi dê tautais diaphorais hê mimêsis estin, en
hois kai ha, kai hôs*: Thus tho of _Epick_ Poetry and _Tragedy_ the