Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/125

Past. I.

''The Occasion of the first Pastoral was this. When Augustus had setled himself in the Roman Empire, that he might reward his Veteran Troops for their past Service, he distributed among 'em all the Lands that lay about Cremona and Mantua: turning out the right Owners for having sided with his Enemies''. Virgil was a Sufferer among the rest; who afterwards recover'd his Estate by Mecænas's Intercession, and as an Instance of his Gratitude compos'd the following Pastoral; where he sets out his own Good Fortune in the Person of Tityrus, and the Calamities of his Mantuan Neighbours in the Character of Melibœus.

Eneath the Shade which Beechen Boughs diffuse, You Tity'rus entertain your Silvan Muse: Round the wide World in Banishment we rome, Forc'd from our pleasing Fields and Native Home: Rh