Concerning the _Numbers_, in which _Pastoral_ should be written, this
is my opinion; the _Heroick_ Measure, but not so strong and sounding
as in _Epicks_, is to be chosen. _Virgil_ and _Theocritus_ have given
us examples; for tho _Theocritus_ hath in one Idyllium mixt other
Numbers, yet that can be of no force against all the rest; and
_Virgil_ useth no Numbers but _Heroick_, from whence it may be
inferr'd, that those are the fittest.
{64} _Pastoral_ may sometimes admit plain, but not long _Narrations_
such as _Socrates_ in _Plato_ requires in a Poet; for he chiefly
approves those who use a plain _Narration_, and commends that above
all other which is short, and fitly expresseth the nature of the
Thing. Some are of opinion that _Bucolicks_ cannot endure Narrations,
especially if they are very long, and imagine there are none in
_Virgil_: but they have not been nice enough in their observations,
for there are some, as that in _Silenus_.
Young _Chromis_ and _Mnasylus_ chanct to stray,
Where (sleeping in a Cave) _Silenus_ lay,
Whose constant Cups fly fuming to his brain,
And always boyl in each extended vein:
His trusty Flaggon, full of potent Juice,
Was hanging by, worn out with Age, and Use, &c.
But, because _Narrations_ are so seldom to be found in _Theocritus_,
and _Virgil_, I think they ought not to be often us'd; yet if the
matter will bear it, I believe such as _Socrates_ would have, may very
fitly be made use of.
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