_Species_ of
Poetry have been introduced. For as the _Philosopher_ hath observ'd,
*diespathe kata ta oikeia ethe he poiesis* Thus those that were lofty
imitated great and Illustrious; those that were low spirited and
groveling mean Actions: And every one, according to the various
inclination of his _Nature_, follow'd this or that sort of _Poetry_:
This the _Philosopher_ expresly affirms, And _Dio Chrysostomus_ says
of _Homer_ that he received from the Gods a Nature fit for all sorts
of Verse: but this is an happiness which none partake but, as he in
the same place intimates, Godlike minds.

Not to mention other kinds of _Poetry_, what particular Genius is
requir'd to _Pastoral_ I think, is evident from the foregoing
Discourse, for as every part of it ought to be full of simple and
inartificial neatness, so it requires a Wit naturally neat and
pleasant, born to delight and ravish, which are the qualifications
certainly of a great and most excellent Nature: For whatsoever in any
kind is delicate and elegant, that is usually most excellent: And such
a _Genius_ that hath a sprightfulness of Nature, and is well
instructed {46} by the rules of Art, is fit to attempt _Pastorals_.

Of the end of Pastorals tis not so easy to give an account: For as to
the end of Poetry in General: The Enemies of Poets run out into a
large common place, and loudly tell us that Poetry is frivolous and
unprofitable. Excellent men! that love _profit_ perchance, but have no
regard for _Honesty_ and _Goodness_; who do not know that all
excellent _Arts_ sprang from _Poetry_ at first.

Which what is honest, base, or just, or good,
Better than _Crantor_, or _Chrysippus_ show'd.

For tis _Poetry_ that like a chast unspotted Virgin, shews men the
way, and the means to live happily, who afterward are deprav'd by the
immodest precepts of vitiated and impudent _Philosophy_. For every
body knows, that the _Epick_ sets before us the highest example of the
Bravest man; the _Tragedian_ regulates the Affections of the Mind; the
_Lyrick_ reforms Manners, or sings the Praises of Gods, and Heroes; so
that there's no part of _Poetry_ but hath it's proper end, and
profits.

But grant all this true, _Pastoral_ can make no such pretence: if you
sing a _Hero_, you excite mens minds to imitate his Actions, and
notable Exploits; but how can _Bucolicks_ apply these or the like
advantages to its self? _He that reads {47} Heroick Poems, learns what
is the vertue of