Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/133

Past. II.

The Commentators can by no means agree on the Person of Alexis, but are all of Opinion that some Beautiful Youth is meant by him, to whom Virgil here makes Love; in Corydon's ''Language and Simplicity. His way of Courtship is wholly Pastoral: He complains of the Boy's Coyness, recommends himself for his Beauty and Skill in Piping; invites the Youth into the Country, where he promises him the Diversions of the Place; with a suitable Present of Nuts and Apples: But when he finds nothing will prevail, he resolves to quit his troublesome Amour, and betake himself again to his former Business''. Oung Corydon, th' unhappy Shepherd Swain, The fair Alexis lov'd, but lov'd in vain: And underneath the Beechen Shade, alone, Thus to the Woods and Mountains made his Moan.