some of which I have made bold to borrow. Moreover, as he called his Eclogues, The Shepherd's Calendar, and divided the same into the twelve months, I have chosen (peradventure not over rashly) to name mine by the days of the week, omitting Sunday or the Sabbath, ours being supposed to be Christian shepherds, and to be then at church-worship. Yet further of many of Maister Spenser's Eclogues it may be observed, though months they be called, of the said months therein nothing is specified, wherein I have also esteemed him worthy mine imitation. That principally, courteous Reader, whereof I would have thee to be advertised, (seeing I depart from the vulgar usage) is touching the language of my shepherds; which is soothly to say, such as is neither spoken by the country maiden or the courtly dame; nay, not only such as in the present times is not uttered, but was never uttered in times past, and if I judge aright, will never be uttered in times future; it having too much of the country to be fit for the court; too much of the court to be fit for the country; too much of the language of old times to be fit for the present; too much of the present to have been fit for the old; and too much of both to be fit for any time to come. Granted also it is, that in this my language I seem unto myself as a London mason, who calculateth his work for a term of years, when he buildeth with old materials upon a ground-rent that is not his own, which soon turneth to rubbish and ruins. For this point no reason can I allege, only deeplearned ensamples having led me thereunto. But here again much comfort ariseth in me, from the hopes, in that I conceive, when these words in the course of transitory things shall decay, it may so hap, in meet time, that some lover of simplicity shall arise, who shall have the hardiness to render these mine Eclogues into such more modern dialect as shall be then understood, to which end, glosses and explications of uncouth pastoral terms are annexed. Gentle Reader, turn over the leaf, and entertain thyself with the prospect of thine own country, limned by the painful hand of Thy loving countryman, VOL. II. CO 3 JOHN GAY. PROLOGUE. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD VIS COUNT BOLINGBROKE. Lo I, who erst beneath a tree At this, in tears was Cic'ly seen, For me, when as I heard that death While thus we stood as in a stound, And wet with tears, like dew, the ground; We learnt our liege was passing well. So forth I far'd to court with speed, There saw I ladies all-a-row Before their Queen in seemly show. No more I'll sing Buxoma brown, Like goldfinch, in her Sunday gown; Nor Clumsilis, nor Marian bright, There many a worthy wight I've seen There saw I St. John, sweet of mien, Full steadfast both to church and queen; With whose fair name I'll deck my strain; St. John, right courteous to the swain: For thus he told me on a day, 'Trim are thy sonnets, gentle Gay! And, certes, mirth it were to see Thy joyous madrigals twice three, |