In reading these, and the like Passages, how naturally may we apply to the Poet, what he does to his Daphnis?
[73] Tale tuum carmen nobis, divine poeta, Quale sopor fessis in gramine, quale per æstum Dulcis aquæ saliente sitim restinguere rivo.
Such, heav'nly Poet, is thy Verse to me, As Slumbers to the Weary on the Grass; Such as fresh purling Rills, in Summer's Heat, To thirsty Travellers.
And again,
[74] Nam neque me tantum venientis sibilus Austri, Nec percussa juvant fluctu tam littora, nec quæ Saxosas inter decurrunt flumina valles.
For neither does the Breeze Of whisp'ring Zephyr, when it rises fresh, Bless me so much: Nor Waves that beat the Shore; Nor Rivers, which thro' stony Vallies glide.
Whether it was from Chance, or Design, that these Verses, by their very Sound, represent the Thing they describe, is not worth enquiring. It is certain, some Words are so naturally formed for this Purpose, and Poetry for the proper Disposal of them, that this Felicity can't well be avoided; and 'tis to Chance alone we are often indebted for these beautiful Echo's. Sometimes, however, they are the undoubted Effect of Art. Whence soever they proceed, they frequently occur, and are an ample Proof of the Force and Elegance of the poetic Style. That of Virgil is well known, where we see the Ox knock'd down, and hear the Noise of his sudden Fall, and lumpish Weight,
[75] Sternitur, exanimisque tremens procumbit humi bos.
Down falls the Beast Dead, trembling, to the Ground.
In the same Book, in the Description of the Naval Course, we have the following Lines: