Wilson',' which appears at p. 401 of Tate's Collection of
1685.
THE SHEPHERD'S WEEK. IN SIX PASTORALS.
These are Mr. Gay's principal performances. They were
originally intended, I suppose, as a burlesque on those of
[Ambrose] Philips; but, perhaps without designing it, he has hit
the true spirit of pastoral poetry. In fact, he more resembles
Theocritus than any other English pastoral writer whatsoever.
There runs through the whole a strain of rustic pleasantry which
should ever distinguish this species of composition; but how far
the antiquated expressions used here may contribute to the
humour, I will not determine; for my own part, I could wish the
simplicity were preserved, without recurring to such obsolete
antiquity for the manner of expressing it.
MAC FLECKNOE.
The severity of this satire, and the excellence of its
versification give it a distinguished rank in this species of
composition. At present, an ordinary reader would scarce suppose
that Shadwell, who is here meant by Mac Flecknoe, was worth
being chastised, and that Dryden's descending to such game was
like an eagle's stooping to catch flies.
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