Six,

Tat complaint which Theocritus makes in one of his Idylliums, of the neglect shown to his mufe, naturally reminded nie of my own neceffity. The utmost ambition of my wishes could not have afpired after a more illuftrious patron than Mr, Yorke; I was not kept long in fufpenfe, having, through a worthy friend, received permillion to infcribe to you the fubfequent fheets; and the favour was granted in a manner so peculiarly polite, that I efteemed the obligation more than doubled. | It was cuftomary among the ancient Romans, for the piebeians to choose out of the body of the patricians protectors or patrons, whofe care it was to aflift their clients with their intereft, and defend them from the oppression of the great; to advise them in points of law, to manage their fuits, and fecure their peate and happinefs: what a powerful advocate, in this refpect, you would prove, let the pleadings at the bar, the decifions in Weftmin fter-hall, and the debates in the fenate, determine. But the friend I feek at prefent, must be eminent for his enlivened genius, the delicacy of his taste in literature, his claffical learning, and his geneross protection of the mufes: and where can I find thefe fhining abilities, and these benevolent virtues fo happily combined, as in that eminent patron, who does me the honour to countenance the following work? You, Sir, are not only "mufis amicus," but

-Mafarumq. comes, cui carmina femper
E: cithara cordi.

You have long fince facrificed to the mufes with

warmed by the example, and improved by the knowledge and experience of your admirable father, formed you to shine with fo much lustre in a more active and exalted sphere, you had been ranked with the most celebrated authors in polite learning. But I ceafe to wonder, that you should have attained qualifications like thefe, in the early culture of your talents, when i confider your zeal to vindicate the privilege of your predeceffors; for the great lawgivers of antiquity were generally poets: Themis and the mufes are nearly joined in affinity; both derived from heaven; they both diftribute concord, harmony, and good will, among the inhabitants of the earth.

To whom, then, can I prefent thefe Arcadian fcenes with fo much propriety, as to the friend of ancient eloquence and poetry; one whom I know to have been an intelligent reader and admirer of Theocritus? Let me congratulate myself on my good fortune, in having, by this performance, found more diftinguifhed favour from Mr. Yorke, than Theocritus experienced at the court of Hiero.

That the honours and reputation you have fo defervedly acquired, may increafe more and more; that you may live long and happily, for the encouragement of the liberal fciences, and the fervice of your country, is the earneft with of,

SIR,

Your most obliged, and obedient fervant, FRANCIS FAWKES.

ORPINGTON,

my ability, to make up the deficiency. With this view, I carefully examined Mr. Dryden, who has left tranflations of four Idylliums, the 3d, the 8th, the 23d, and the 27th. There are many beautiful lines in the third; but take it altogether, and it is a