{2} For some think that to be a Sheapard is in it self mean, base, and sordid; And this I think is the first thing that the graver and soberer sort will be ready to object. But if we consider how honorable that employment is, our Objectors from that Topick will be easily answer'd, for as _Heroick_ Poems owe their dignity to the Quality of _Heroes_, so _Pastorals_ to that of _Sheapards_. Now to manifest this, I shall not rely on the authority of the _Fabulous_, and _Heroick_ Ages, tho, in the former, a God fed Sheep in _Thessaly_, and in the latter, _Hercules_ the Prince of _Heroes_, (as _Paterculus_ stiles him) graz'd on mount _Aventine_: These Examples, tis true, are not convinceing, yet they sufficiently shew that the employment of a Sheapard was sometime look'd upon to be such, as in those Fabulous times was not alltogether unbecomeing the _Dignity_ of a _Heroe_, or the _Divinity_ of a _God_: which consideration if it cannot be of force enough to procure excellence, yet certainly it may secure it from the imputation of baseness, since it was sometime lookt upon as fit for the greatest in Earth or Heaven. But not to insist on the authority of _Poets_, _Sacred Writt_ tells us that _Jacob_ and _Esau_, two great men, were Sheapards; And _Amos_, one of the Royal Family, asserts the same of himself, for _He was_ among _the Sheapards of Tecua_, following that employment: The like by Gods own appointment {3} prepared _Moses_ for a Scepter, as _Philo_ intimates in his life, when He tells us, _that a Sheapards Art is a suitable preparation to a Kingdome_; the same He mentions in the Life of _Joseph_, affirming that the care a Sheapard hath over his Cattle, very much resembles that which a King hath over his Subjects: The same _Basil_ in his Homily de _S. Mamm. Martyre_ hath concerning _David_, who was taken from following the Ews great with young ones to feed _Israel_, for He says that the Art of feeding and governing are very near akin, and even Sisters: And upon this account I suppose twas, that Kings amongst the _Greeks_ reckoned the name of Sheapard one of their greatest titles, for, if we believe _Varro_, amongst the Antients, the best and bravest was still a Sheapard: Every body knows that the _Romans_ the worthiest and greatest Nation in the World sprang from _Sheapards_: The Augury of the Twelve Vulturs plac't a Scepter in _Romulus's_ hand which held a Crook before; and at that time, as _Ovid_ says, His own small Flock each Senator did keep. _Lucretius_ mentions an extraordinary happiness, and as it were Divinity in a _Sheaperd's_ life, Thro Sheapards ease, and their Divine retreats. And this is the reason, I suppose, why the solitude of the Country, the shady Groves, and security of that happy Quiet was so grateful to the Muses, for thus _Horace_ represents them, {4} The Muses that the Country Love. Which Observation was first made by _Mnasalce_ the _Sicyonian_ in his Epigram upon _Venus_