Pastorals (Philips)

For works with similar titles, see Pastorals.

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Four of Philips' pastorals first appeared in Fenton's Oxford and Cambridge Miscellany Poems (n.d., published January 1707/8) and all six in Poetical Miscellanies. The Sixth Part (1708) published by Jacob Tonson. Hills reprinted Tonson's text in 1710, in a twelve-leaf pamphlet, of which this is a transcription. Hills' edition was re-set at least three times in 1710, with differences in the title-page, in signatures and in ornament. [Based on The Poems of Ambrose Philips (1969} p. liv. edited by Mary G. Segar].

4323358Pastorals1710Ambrose Philips

PASTORALS,

BY

Mr. Philips.

Nostra nec erubuit Silvas habitare Thalia.
Virg. Ecl. 6.

LONDON:

Printed and Sold by H. Hills, in Black-fryars,
near the Water-side.1710.

(Price Two-pence.)

PREFACE.

It is strange to think, in an Age so addicted to the Muses, how Pastoral Poetry comes to be never so much as thought upon; considering especially, that it has always been accounted the most considerable of the smaller Poems. Virgil and Spencer made use of it as a Prelude to Heroick Poetry. But I fear the Innocency of the Subject makes it so little inviting at present.

There is no Sort of Poetry, if well wrought, but gives Delight. And the Pastoral perhaps may boast of this in a peculiar manner. For, as in Painting, so I believe, in Poetry, the Country affords the most entertaining Scenes, and most delightful Prospects.

Gassendus, I remember, tells us, that Peireskius was a great Lover of Musick, especially that of Birds; because their Artless Strains seem to have less of Passion and Violence, but more of a natural Easiness, and therefore do the rather befriend Contemplation. It is after the same manner that Pastoral gives a sweet and gentle Composure to the Mind; whereas the Epick and Tragick Poem put the Spirits in too great a Ferment by the Vehemence of their Motions.

To see a stately, well-built Palace strikes us, indeed, with Admiration, and swells the Soul, as it were, with Notions of Grandeur. But when I view a little Country Dwelling, advantageously situated amidst a beautiful Variety of Fields, Woods, and Rivers; I feel an unspeakable kind of Satisfaction, and cannot forbear wishing, that my good Fortune would place me in so sweet a Retirement.

Theocritus, Virgil, and Spencer are the only Writers, that seem to have hit upon the true Nature of Pastoral Poems. So that it will be Honour sufficient for me, if I have not altogether fail'd in my Attempt.

Contents (not listed in original)

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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