Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/210

68 ''sensible of a chearful warmth, but are kept at an awful distance by its force. In my small Observations of Mankind, I have ever found, that such as are not rather too full of Spirit when they are young, degenerate to dulness in their Age. Sobriety in our riper years is the effect of a well-concocted warmth; but where the Principles are only Phlegm, what can be expected from the waterish Matter, but an insipid Manhood, and a stupid old Infancy; Discretion in Leading-strings, and a confirm'd ignorance on Crutches? Virgil in his Third Georgic, when he describes a Colt, who promises a Courser for the Race, or for the Field of Battel, shews him the first to pass the Bridge, which trembles under him, and to stem the torrent of the Flood. His beginnings must be in rashness; a Noble Fault: But Time and Experience will correct that Errour, and tame it into a deliberate and well-weigh'd Courage; which knows both to be cautious and to dare, as occasion offers. Your Lordship is a Man of Honour, not only so unstain'd, but so unquestion'd, that you are the living Standard of that Heroick Vertue; so truly such, that if I wou'd flatter you, I cou'd not. It takes not from you, that you were born with Principles of Generosity and Probity: But it adds to you, that you have cultivated Nature, and made those Principles, the''