CHAP. VIII.
Of imitation; or Stealing Sentiments from the ANTIENTS.
If a direct Imitation of the Thoughts of the Greeks and Romans, shows no great Richness of Genius, in any kind of Poetry, in Pastoral 'tis much more to be avoided. If a Hero does sometimes talk out HOMER and VIRGIL, 'tis not so shocking, because tis not dissonant to Reason to suppose such a Person acquainted with Letters and Authors; nor is an Heroick Poems Essence Simplicity; But if a Modern gives me the Talk of a Shepherd, and I have seen it almost all before in THEOCRITUS, VIRGIL and SPENCER, it cannot delight me. For that Poetry pleases the most, that deceives the most naturally. But how can I, while I am reading a pastoral, impose upon my self that I am among Swains and in the Country, if I remember all they say is in Greek and Roman Authors. And few read Modern-Writers but have read the Antients first. A Shepherd should speak from his Heart, as if he had no design of Pleasing, but is prompted to utter all he says: But if in all he says we see an Imitation, or a Thought stole from other Authors, it destroys all Simplicity, shows Design and Labour.
Besides, Epick Poetry warms and elevates the Mind, hurries it on with fury and Violence, which prevents our noting any slight Inacuracy, so as to be offended by it; but in so cool a Poem as Pastoral, whose design is to sooth and soften the Mind, we have leasure to consider every Unnaturalness and every Improbability.
SECT. 2.
Of Soloman's Allegorical pastorals; Entitled The CANTICLES.
Yet I know not how, tho' 'tis so unnatural to find Thoughts in the Mouths of Shepherds, which we have observ'd in THEOCRITUS and VIRGIL, yet I am never better pleased than with those Thoughts which are taken out of the Scripture. Methinks the Thoughts in the CANTICLES are so exceeding fine for Pastoral that 'tis pity to give 'em any other Turn than what they have there; and if I did take any of those Pastoral Sentiments, I would translate the whole Passage as we there find it.
MILTON in his soft Passages has often imitated the Thoughts in the CANTICLES; and Mr. PHILIPS has taken from thence the hint of the finest Image but one he has in his Pastorals.
Breath soft ye Winds, ye Waters gently flow,
Shield her ye Trees, ye Flow'rs around her grow,
Ye Swains, I beg ye pass in silence by,
My Love in yonder Vale asleep doth lye.
My not disliking Thoughts taken from the CANTICLES, makes me think that 'tis not so much the Thoughts being stolen from THEOCRITUS or VIRGIL that makes me dislike 'em, as the poor and mean Figure they make in Poetry. Could Poets take as fine Pastoral Images from the Antients, as this of Philips, I believe no one but would be pleased by 'em, come from whence they would. But the Thoughts which our Writers take from the Antients are such, that would they trust their own Genius's, I am satisfied they would, at least, not have worse, nor more false ones.