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THE GUARDIAN .
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22 .
any temptation to the paſtoral life, I can now with the greater ſafety conſider it ; and ſhall lay
down ſuch rules, as thoſe of my readers, who have the aforeſaid deſign, ought to obſerve, if
they would follow theſteps of the ſhepherdeſſes of ancient times.
In order to form a right judgment of paſtoral poetry, itwill be neceſſary to caſt back our eyes on the firſt ages of the world. For ſince that way of life is not now in being, we muſt inquire into the manner of it when it actually did exiſt. Be fore mankind was formed into large ſocieties, or cities were built, and commerce eſtabliſhed, the
wealth of the world conſiſted chiefly in flocks and herds . The tending of theſe, we find to have
been the employment of the firſt princes, whoſe ſubjects were ſheep and oxen, and their dominions the adjoining vales. As they lived in great afflu ence and eaſe, we may preſumethat they enjoyed
ſuch pleaſures as that condition afforded, free and uninterrupted . Their manner of life gave them vigour of body, and ſerenity of mind. The abundance they were poſſeſſed of, fecured them
from avarice, ambition, or envy ; they could ſcarce have any anxieties or contentions, where every one had more than he could tell what
to do with. Love indeed might occaſion fome rivalſhips amongſt them , becauſe many lovers fix
upon one object, for the lofs of which they will be fatisfied with no compenſation . Otherwiſe it was a ſtate of eaſe, innocence, and contentment ;
where plenty begot pleaſure, and pleaſure begot ſinging, and ſinging begot poetry, and poetry begot pleaſure again .
