3. The Infantine.
This is, when a poet grows so very simple, as to think and talk like a child. I shall take my examples from the greatest master in this way: hear how he fondles like a mere stammerer.
Little charm of placid mien,
Miniature of beauty's queen,
Hither British muse of mine,
Hither, all ye Grecian nine,
With the lovely graces three,
And your pretty nurseling see.
When the meadows next are seen,
Sweet enamel, white and green,
When again the lambkins play,
Pretty sportlings full of May,
Then the neck so white and round,
(Little neck with brilliants bound)
And thy gentleness of mind,
(Gentle from a gentle kind) &c.
Happy thrice, and thrice again,
Happiest he of happy men[1], &c.
and the rest of those excellent lullabies of his composition.
How prettily he asks the sheep to teach him to bleat?
Teach me to grieve with bleating moan, my sheep[2].
Hear how a babe would reason on his nurse's death.
That ever she could die! Oh most unkind!
To die, and leave poor Colinet behind!
And yet, why blame I her[3]?
- ↑ Amb. Phillips on Miss Cuzzone.
- ↑ Philips's Pastorals.
- ↑ Ibid.
