'Twere endless to enumerate all the several kinds of Beautiful Pastoral
Thoughts, but from these any one may discover the rest; and the general
Rule we gave at the beginning of the Chapter will be a Direction for his
ranging them into distinct Classes.
Yet give me leave to mention one Kind, which I think we may term the finest. 'Tis where the Agreeable Thought, and the Tender, meet together, and have besides, the Addition of Simplicity. I would explain my Meaning by a Quotation out of some Pastoral Writer, but I am at a loss how to do it; give me leave therefore to bring a Passage out of the Orphan. A Thought may contain the Tender, either with regard to some Person spoken of, or the Person speaking. The first is common, this Play is full of it. I will therefore Instance in the latter. And first where 'tis chiefly occasion'd by the turn that is given to it in the Expression. Chamont presses his Sister to tell him who has abused her.
Mon.) But when I've told you, will you keep your Fury
Within it's bound? Will you not do some rash
And horrid Mischief? for indeed, Shamont,
You would not think how hardly I've been used
From a near Friend.
Cham.) I will be calm; but has Castalio wrong'd thee?
Mon.) Oh! could you think it! (Cham.) What?
Mon.) I fear he'll kill me. (Cham.) Hah!
Mon.) Indeed I do; he's strangely cruel too me.
Which if it lasts, I'm sure must break my Heart.
Act. 4.
In the other passage the Tender lyes more in the Thought.
Mon.) Alas my Brother!
What have I done? And why do you abuse me?
My Heart quakes in me; in your settled Face
And clouded Brow methink's I see my Fate;
You will not kill me!