Collins is Chichester's great poet. She had a very agreeable minor poet, too, in George Smith, one of the Three Smiths—all artists: William, born in 1707, painter of portraits and of fruit and flower pieces, and George and John, born in 1713 and 1717, who painted landscapes,—known collectively as the Smiths of Chichester. I mention them rather on account of George Smith's poetical experiments than for the brothers' fame as artists; but there is such a pleasant flavour in one at least of his Pastorals that I have copied a portion of it. It is called "The Country Lovers; or, Isaac and Marget going to Town on a Summer's Morning." The town is probably Chichester—certainly one in Sussex and near the Downs. Isaac speaks first:—
Come! Marget, come!—the team is at the gate!
Not ready yet!—you always make me wait!
I omit a certain amount of the dialogue which follows, but at last Marget exclaims:—
Well, now I'm ready, long I have not staid.
Isaac.
One kiss before we go, my pretty maid.
Marget.
Go! don't be foolish, Isaac—get away!
Who loiters now?—I thought I could not stay!