The gentle Shepherd sate beside a Spring. All in the Shadow of a Bushy Breer. &c.
In this last Line, there is but one Word end's with a Consonant, where the following Word begin's with one. But a Writer, who is perfectly Master of his Language, will be able to have every Line like this; and no Word more strong than Evening, Rivulet, and the like, will he be forc'd to use.
Secondly, The Language is by nothing more weaken'd, than by the use of Monisyllables. This no one ever had the least Notion of but Spencer. Which I wonder has not been observed, 'tis so very palpable in him. What makes the finess of these Lines else?
All as the Sheep such was the Shepherd's look,
For pale and wan he was (alas the while!)
May seem he lov'd, or also some Care he took,
Well could he tune his Pipe and form his Stile.
Past. 1.
Here is but two Words for four Lines, except Monosyllables.
The best Lines in PHILIPS, for the Language, are these, where
Monosyllables reign.
…Fine gain at length, I trow,
To hoard up to my self such deal of Woe!
And the last of these; for the first is rough thro' too many Consonants.
A lewd Desire strange Lands and Swains to know: Ah Gad! that ever I should covet Woe! Past. 2.