In delivering Rules for writing _Pastorals_, I shall not point to the _streams_, which to look after argues a small creeping _Genius_, but lead you to the _fountains_. But first I must tell you, how difficult it is to write _Pastorals_, which many seem not sufficiently to understand: For since its matter is low, and humble, it seems to have nothing that is troublesome, and difficult. But this is a great mistake, for, as _Horace_ says of _Comedy_, "It is by so much the more difficult, by how much the less pardonable are the mistakes committed in its composure": and the same is to be thought of every thing, whose end is to please, and delight. For whatsoever is contriv'd for pleasure, and not necessarily requir'd, unless it be exquisite, must be nauseous, and distastful; as at a Supper, scraping Musick, thick Oyntment, or the like, because the Entertainment might have been without all these; For the sweetest things, and most delicious, are most apt to satiate; for tho the sense may sometimes be pleas'd, yet it presently disgusts that which is { 51} luscious, and, as _Lucretius_ phraseth it,
E'en in the midst and fury of the Joys, Some thing that's better riseth, and destroys.
Beside, since _Pastoral_ is of that nature, that it cannot endure too much negligence, nor too scrupulous diligence, it must be very difficult to be compos'd, especially since the expression must be neat, but not too exquisite, and fine: It must have a simple native beauty, but not too mean; it must have all sorts of delicacies, and surprizing fancies, yet not be flowing, and luxuriant. And certainly, to hit all these excellencies is difficult enough, since Wit, whose nature it is to pour it self forth, must rather be restrain'd than indulg'd; and that force of the Mind, which of it self is so ready to run on, must be checkt, and bridled: Which cannot be easily perform'd by any, but those who have a very good Judgment, and practically skill'd in Arts, and Sciences: And lastly, a neat, and as it were a happy Wit; not that curious sort, I mean, which _Petronius_ allows _Horace_, lest too much _Art_ should take off the Beauty of the _Simplicity_. And therefore I would not have any one undertake this task, that is not very polite by _Nature_, and very much at leisure. For what is more hard than to be always in the _Country_, and yet never to be _Clownish_? to sing of _mean_, and _trivial_ matters, { 52} yet not _trivially_, and _meanly_? to pipe on a _slender_ Reed, and yet keep the sound from being _harsh_, and _squeaking_? to make every thing _sweet_, yet never _satiate_? And this I thought necessary to premise, in order to the better laying down of such Rules as I design. For the naked _simplicity_ both of the Matter and Expression of a _Pastoral_, upon bare Contemplation, might seem easily to be hit, but upon trial 'twill be found a very hard task: Nor was the difficulty to be dissembled, lest _Ignorance_ should betray some into a rash attempt. Now I must come to the very Rules; for as nothing excellent can be brought to perfection without _Nature_, (for Art unassisted by that, is vain, and ineffectual,) so there is no _Nature_ so excellent, and happy, which by its own strength, and without _Art_ and _Use_ can make any thing excellent, and great.