... and satires, whilst they critique the complex social world around them, the poets are very much a part of that world and have no desire to withdraw from it. William Collins' 'Ode to Evening' does not follow the pastoral conventions to the same extent 'The Passionate Shepherd to his Love' by Christopher Marlowe does, but the genre's influence on the poem is such that it could possibly be described as a pastoral. Collins' 'Ode to Evening' has a very rural setting, one apparent from the very first line: If aught of oaten stop, or pastoral song Collins carefully and elaborately describes a calm, beautiful landscape, which is unthreatening and unrealistic. Even in bad weather, Collins still only sees the beauty in the landscape, but no dangers: But when chill blustering winds, or driving rain, Forbid my willing feet, be mine the hut That from the mountain's side Views wild, and swelling floods, It is ...

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