The _Greek_ Language was greatly more fit for Pastoral than the _Latin_. Among other Reasons, because the former had so many Particles; and could render their Language uncommon, by their different Dialects, and by their various Methods of changing, and of compounding Words. Which no Language will admit of in an equal degree, besides the _English_. But then the _Greek_ Language is too sonorous for Pastoral. Give me leave to show the inimitable softness and sweetness of the _English_ Tongue, only by instancing in one Word. Which will also show how copious a Language ours is. I know but three Words the _Greeks_ had to express the Word Lad or Swain by: [Greek: Agrikos, Poimruos; and Bokolos]; and how sonorous are they all. We have six; Swain, Boy, Shepherd, Youth, Stripling, Lad; and how inimitably soft is the sound of 'em all. _Theocritus_ has more Turns of Words or Phrazes than _Spencer_; yet he could in none of 'em come up to _Spencer_'s smoothness and simplicity in his Numbers. As I quoted only the Phrazes of my Country-men In the Chapter on that Head; I will here put down the finest in Theocritus, tho' I cannot say indeed that he has any but in his first Pastoral. [Greek: Archete boukolikas Moisai philai harchet haoithas. Thursis hod hox Ahitnas, kai Thursidos adea phona. Pa pok had esth, oka Daphnis etaketo, pa poka Numphai;] The finest of these Lines (and the softest but one that I remember thro' all his Pieces) is the middle one; it is most incorrigibly translated by _Creech_: tho' I blame him not for it, because of the difficulty of inventing fine Phrazes, much more of translating those of other Men, into Rhime; for which Reason _Creech_ has not attempted to give us any of _Theocritus_'s Turns of Words. CHAP. IV. _That there may be several sorts of Pastorals_. To conclude this Essay, as there are Tempers and Genius's of all sorts, so perhaps it may not be amiss to allow Writings of all sorts too. I think every Person's Aim should be to be subserving as much as possible, to the Delight and Amusement of his Fellow-Creatures. And if any can take pleasure in what is really not pleasant, 'tis pity, methinks, to rob 'em of it. Yet if there is in nature a Method which pursued will be still more delightful, the Critick is to be observed who points out the Way thereto.