Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/115



HEN e'er Great VIRGIL's lofty Verse I see, The Pompous Scene Charms my admiring Eye: There different Beauties in perfection meet; The Thoughts as proper, as the Numbers sweet: And when wild Fancy mounts a daring height, Judgment steps in, and moderates her Flight. Wisely he manages his Wealthy Store, Still says enough, and yet implies still more: For tho' the weighty Sense be closely wrought, The Reader's left t'improve the pleasing Thought.


 * Hence we despair'd to see an English dress

Should e'er his Nervous Energy express; For who could that in fetter'd Rhyme inclose, Which without loss can scarce be told in Prose?


 * But you, Great Sir, his Manly Genius raise;

And make your Copy share an equal praise. O how I see thee in soft Scenes of Love, Renew those Passions he alone could move! Here Cupid's Charms are with new Art exprest, And pale Eliza leaves her peaceful rest: Leaves her Elizium, as if glad to live, To Love, and Wish, to Sigh, Despair and Grieve, And die again for him that would again deceive.