As about the Author, so concerning the place of its Birth there is a
great dispute, some say _Sparta_, others _Peloponesus_, but most are
for _Sicily_.
_Valla the Placentine_, a curious searcher into Antiquity, thinks
this sort of Poetry first appear'd amongst the _Lacedemonians_, for
when the _Persians_ had wasted allmost all _Greece_, the _Spartans_
say {12} that they for fear of the _Barbarians_ fled into Caves and
lurking holes; and that the Country Youth then began to apply
themselves in Songs to _Diana Caryatis_, together with the Maids, who
midst their Songs offerd Flowers to the Goddess: which custome
containing somewhat of Religion was in those places a long time very
scrupulously observed.
_Diomedes_ the Grammarian, in his treatise of _Measures_, declares
_Sicily_ to be the Place: for thus he says, the _Sicilian_ Sheapards
in time of a great _Pestilence_, began to invent new Ceremonies to
appease incensed _Diana_, whom afterward, for affording her help, and
stopping the Plague they called *Lyen*: _i.e._ the _Freer_ from their
Miserys. This grew into custom, and the Sheapards used to meet in
Companies, to sing their deliverer _Diana's_ praise, and these
afterwards passing into _Italy_ were there named _Bucoliastae_.
_Pomponius Sabinus_ tells the story thus: When the Hymns the Virgins
us'd to sing in the Country to _Diana_ were left off, because, by
reason of the present Wars, the Maidens were forc't to keep close
within the Towns; the Shepherds met, and sang these kind of Songs,
which are now call'd _Bucolicks_, to _Diana_; to whom they could not
give the usual worship by reason of the Wars: But _Donatus_ says, that
this kind of Verses was first sung to _Diana_ by _Orestes_, when he
wandred about _Italy_; after he fled from _Scythia Taurica_, and had
{13} taken away the Image of the Goddess and hid it in a bundle of
sticks, whence she receiv'd the name of _Fascelina_, or _Phacelide_
*apo tou phakelou* At whose Altar, the very same _Orestes_ was
afterward expiated by his Sister _Iphigenia_: But how can any one
rely on such Fables, when the inconsiderable Authors that propose them
disagree so much amongst themselves?
Some are of Opinion that the Shepherds, were wont in solem and set
Songs about the Fields and Towns to celebrate the Goddess _Pales_; and
beg her to bless their flocks and fields with a plenteous encrease and
that from hence the name, and composure of _Bucolicks_ continued.
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