THE ARGUMENT.
Clorin, a pleasant Shepherd, lighting on the Fisher Comus, they fall into a rallying Vein, which brings on a Challenge of Singing. Algon, an aged Angler, is made Umpire, who modestly pleads his Unfitness, yet proposes each should chuse his Subject in Honour of his different Employment.—Clorin, in Compliment to Pan, relates the Story of Pytis, a Nymph beloved by him (to avoid the Rage of Boreas, her slighted Lover) changed into the Pine-Tree, which is said to weep when the North-Wind blows, with the Boughs of which Pan crowns himself. Comus, in Turn, (from the Severn by which they are sitting) sings the Metamorphosis of Sabrina drowned in that Stream, supposed from her to receive its Name.—The Fable of Pytis, though furnished with as beautiful Incidents as any in the Poets, is not to be met with in Ovid or others, ancient or modern; which makes it new in its Kind, and occasioned the selecting it for this Eclogue.—The Story of Sabrina is differently related from Geoffry of Monmouth, and other credulous Writers; but the Whole being suspected, gives Liberty to improve and soften the Fable.
