But when she saw, how great was the surprize! &c. And any one may find a great many of the like in _Theocritus_ and _Virgil_, if with a leisurely delight he nicely examines their delicate Composures: And this I account the greatest grace in _Pastorals_, which in my opinion those that write _Pastorals_ do not sufficiently observe: 'Tis true Ours (the _French_) and the _Italian_ language is to babling to endure it; This is the Rock on which those that write _Pastorals_ in their _Mother_ tongue are usually split, But the _Italians_ are inevitably lost; who having store of _Wit_, a very subtle invention and flowing fancy, cannot contain; everything that comes into their mind must be poured out, nor are they able to endure the least restraint: as is evident from _Marinus's_ _Idylliums_, and a great many of that nation who have ventur'd on such composures; For unless there are many {41} stops and breakings off in the series of a _Pastoral_, it can neither be pleasing nor artificial: And in my Opinion _Virgil_ excells _Theocritus_ in this, for _Virgil_ is neither so continued, nor so long as _Theocritus_; who indulges too much the garrulity of his _Greek_; nay even in those things which he expresseth he is more close, and more cautiously conceals that part which ought to be dissembled: And this I am sure is a most admirable part of Eloquence; as _Tully_ in his Epistle to _Atticus_ says, _'Tis rare to speak Eloquently, but more rare to be eloquently silent_: And this unskillful _Criticks_ are not acquainted with, and therefore are wont oftner to find fault with that which is not fitly exprest, than commend that which is prudently conceal'd: I could heap up a great many more things to this purpose, but I see no need of such a trouble, since no man can rationally doubt of the goodness of my Observation. Therefore, in short, let him that writes Pastorals think brevity, if it doth not obscure his sense, to be the greatest grace which he can attain. Now why _Bucolicks_ should require such Brevity, and be so essentially sparing in _Expression_, I see no other reason but this: It loves _Simplicity_ so much that it must be averse to that Pomp and Ostentation which _Epick_ Poetry must show, for that must be copious and flowing, in every part smooth, and equal to it self: But _Pastoral_ must dissemble, and hide even that which it would {42} show, like _Damon's_ _Galatea_, who flies then when she most desires to be discovered. And to the Bushes flys, yet would be seen. And this doth not proceed from any malitious ill-natur'd Coyness, as some imagine, but from an ingenuous modesty and bashfulness, which usually accompanies, and is a proof of _Simplicity: Tis very rare_, says Pliny, _to find a man so exquisitely skillful, as to be able to show those Features in a Picture which he hides_, and I think it to be so difficult a task, that none but the most excellent Wits can attempt it with success: For small Wits usually abound with a multitude of words.