fity of diftinguishing, in characteristic poetry, every object by marks and attributes peculiarly its own. IT cannot be objected to this eclogue that it wants both those effential Criteria of the paftoral, love and the drama; for though it partakes not of the latter, the former still retains an interest in it, and that too very material, as it profeffedly confults the virtue and happinefs of the lover, while it informs what are the qualities -that must lead to love. H 3 ECLOGUE A ECLOGUE II, LL the advantages that any species of poetry can derive from the novelty of the subject and scenery, this eclogue poffeffes. The rout of a camel-driver is a fcene that scarce could exift in the imagination of an European, and of its attendant diftreffes he could have no idea.-These are very happily and minutely painted by our descriptive poet. What fublime fimplicity of expreffion! what nervous plainnefs in the opening of the poem ! In filent horror o'er the boundless wafte The magic pencil of the poet brings the whole scene before us at once, as it were by enchantment, and in this fingle couplet we feel all all the effect that arifes from the terrible wildness of a region unenlivened by the habitations of men. The verses that defcribe fo minutely the camel-drivers little provisions, have a touching influence on the imagination, and prepare the reader to enter more feelingly into his future apprehensions of distress: Bethink thee Haffan, where fhall thirst affwage, When fails this cruife, his unrelenting rage! It is difficult to fay whether his Apoftrophe to the "mute companions of his toils," is more to be admired for the elegance and beauty of the poetical imagery, or for the tenderness and humanity of the fentiment. He who can read it without being affected, will do his heart no injustice, if he concludes it to be deftitute of fenfibility; Ye mute companions of my toils, that bear Or mofs-crown'd fountains mitigate the day, In vain ye hope the green delights to know, Which plains more bleft, or verdant vales bestow: Here rocks alone, and taftelefs fands are found, And faint and fickly winds for ever how! around, Yet in these beautiful lines there is a flight error, which writers of the greatest genius very frequently fall into-It will be needless to obferve to the accurate reader that in the fifth and fixth verfes there is a verbal pleonasm where the poet speaks of the green delights of verdant verdant vales. There is an overfight of the fame kind, in the Manners, an Ode; where the poet fays -Seine's blue nymphs deplore, In watchet weeds This fault is indeed a common one, but to a reader of taste it is nevertheless disgustful; and it is mentioned here as the errour of a man of genius and judgment, that men of genius and judgment may guard against it. MR. COLLINS fpeaks like a true Poet as well in fentiment as expreffion, when, with regard to the Thirft of wealth, he says, Why heed we not, while mad we hafte along, The gentle voice of peace, or pleasure's fong! Or |