Day_, &c.

These Lines of _Spencer_ and those of _Philips_, both contain agreeable
Images and Thoughts, yet are they as different as _Milton_ and
_D'Urfey_.

I shall only make one Observation on this difference. Namely, that in
the soft and beautiful Lines of _Philips_, each Word, only signifies a
soft and beautiful Idea; As _Breath, Waters, Flow, Gently, Soft_, &c.
but in _Spencer_ the sound also is soft. Had such an Author dress'd this
inimitable Thought of _Philips_, the Line would have glided as smooth
and easy off the Tongue, as the Waters he mentions, do along the
Meadows.

SECT. II.

_That no Language is so fit for Pastoral as the English_.

I have before observed, that this softness is effected, among other
things by little Words; yet I cannot help observing here, that our
Language is infinitely the finest of any in the World for Pastoral, and
it's abounding so much in little Words is one Reason of it. The Pomps
and Stateliness of the Latin Lines could not have been made proper for
Pastoral, unless entirely alter'd, and 'tis not likely that a Genius
daring enough to do that would engage in Pastoral.

The _Romans_ had not a Particle, as we have, before their
_Substantives_; As _A_ and _The Tree_. Seldom used a Word before the
Verbs; as _He goes_, _They go_. Nor had they our _Doth_ and _Does_;
without which no _Englishman_ could form a Pastoral Language. As the
sweet Simplicity of that Line, I have just quoted, is occasion'd by
nothing else.

_A Shepherd-boy (no better do him call_.)

The _Greek_ Language was greatly more fit for Pastoral than the _Latin_.
Among other Reasons, because the former had so many Particles; and could
render their Language uncommon, by their different Dialects, and by
their various Methods of changing, and of compounding Words. Which no
Language will admit of in an equal degree, besides the _English_. But
then the _Greek_ Language is too sonorous for Pastoral. Give me leave to
show the inimitable softness and sweetness of the _English_ Tongue, only
by instancing in one Word. Which will also show how copious a Language
ours is. I know but three Words the _Greeks_ had to express the Word Lad
or Swain by: [Greek: Agrikos, Poimruos; and Bokolos]; and how sonorous
are they all. We have six; Swain, Boy, Shepherd, Youth, Stripling, Lad;
and how inimitably soft is the sound of 'em all.

_Theocritus_ has more Turns of Words or Phrazes than _Spencer_; yet he
could in none of 'em co