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II
DEFINITIONS
TO define is to limit, and that is precisely what
in this study it is neither best nor possible to
do. There has been so much haggling over defini-
tions of the pastoral and so little, that is
really final, defined. Out of a score of
definitions not one can be selected which
seems incontrovertible, and the last word to be
said upon the subject. So much depends upon the
age and the point of view. Fontenelle writes of the
eclogue, meaning thereby the pastoral in general:
"L'eglogue n'est pas attaché aux choses rustiques,
mais à ce qu'il y a de tranquille dans la vie de la
campagne." 1 In exact accord with such an exposi-
tion of the nature of pastoral, Fontenelle speaks of
the delicacy, the gallantry of Bion and Moschus, and
of the grossness of Theocritus. His whole theory
of pastoral poetry is a deliberate attempt to create
an ideal, delicate, over-refined, conscious. You
must reveal the simplicity of shepherd life, but

To define is
to limit.
Fontenelle.

____________________
1 Fontenelle, p. 13. For full reference to publishers, editions,
and titles of all pastoral critical works, v. Bib., Sec. 5.

-19-

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Publication Information: Book Title: English Pastoral Drama, from the Restoration to the Date of the Publication of the "Lyrical Ballads": (1660-1798). Contributors: Jeannette Marks - author. Publisher: Methuen. Place of Publication: London. Publication Year: 1908. Page Number: 19.
    
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