Thus _Pastoral_, that
it might not be uncomely, ought sometimes to be negligent, or the
finess of its ornaments ought not to appear and lye open to every
bodies view: so that it ought to affect a studied carelessness, and
design'd negligence: And that this may be, all gawdiness of Dress,
such as Paint and Curls, all artificial shining is to be despis'd, but
in the mean time care must be taken that the Expression be bright and
simply clean, not filthy and disgustful, but such as is varnisht with
Wit and Fancy: Now to perfect this, _Nature_ is chiefly to be lookt
upon, (for nothing that is disagreeable to Nature can please) yet that
will hardly prevail naked, by it self, and without the polishing of
Art.
Then there are three things in which, as in its parts, the whole
_Character_ of a _Pastoral_ is contain'd: _Simplicity_ of Thought and
expression: _Shortness_ of Periods full of sense and spirit: and the
_Delicacy_ of a most elegant ravishing unaffected neatness.
Next I will enquire in to the _Efficient_, and then into the _Final_
Cause of _Pastorals_.
{45} _Aristotle_ assigns two efficient Causes of _Poetry_, The
natural desire of Imitation in Man whom he calls the most imitative
Creature; and Pleasure consequent to that Imitation: Which indeed are
the _Remote_ Causes, but the _Immediate_ are _Art_ and _Nature_; Now
according to the differences of _Genius's_ several _Species_ of
Poetry have been introduced.
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