The Sixth Pastoral.
OR,
SILENUS.
The ARGUMENT.
Two young Shepherds Chromis and Mnasylus, having been often promis'd a Song by Silenus, chance to catch him asleep in this Pastoral; where they bind him hand and foot, and then claim his Promise. Silenus finding they wou'd be put off no longer, begins his Song; in which he describes the Formation of the Universe, and the Original of Animals, according to the Epicurean Philosophy; and then runs through the most surprising Transformations which have happen'd in Nature since her Birth. This Pastoral was design'd as a Complement to Syro the Epicurean, who instructed Virgil and Varus in the Principles of that Philosophy. Silenus acts as Tutor, Chromis and Mnasylus as the two Pupils.
-volume_1-Capital_I.png){kind=spacer}
First transferr'd to Rome Sicilian Strains:
Nor blush'd the Dorick Muse to dwell on Mantuan Plains.
But when I try'd her tender Voice, too young,
And fighting Kings, and bloody Battels sung;
