This beautiful poem, which is perhaps the first attempt at paftoral writing in our language, is preferved among the SONGS AND SONNETTES of the earl of Surrey, &c. 4to. in that part of the collection, which conffts of pieces by UNCERTAIN AUCTOURS. These poems were first published in 1557, ten years after that accomplished nobleman fell a victim to the tyranny of Henry VIII: but it is prefumed moft of them were compofed before the death of fir Thomas Wyatt in 1541. See Surrey's poems, 4to. fol. 19. 49.

Tho' written perhaps near half a century before the SHEPHERD'S CALENDAR Į, this will be found far fuperior to any of thofe Eclogues in natural unaffected fentiments, in fimplicity of style, in eafy flow of verfification, and all other beauties of paftoral poetry. Spenfer ought to have profited more by fo excellent a model.

Prefh, as
PHYL

HYLID A was a faire mayde,

As fresh, as any flowre;

Whom Harpalus the herdman prayde

To be his paramour.

Harpalus, and eke Corin,

Were herdmen both yfere :

And Phylida could twift and fpinne,

And thereto fing full clere,

5

But

First published in 1579.