Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/30

 which places he prosecuted his Studies with great application; he read over, all the best Latin, and Greek Authors, for which he had convenience by the no remote distance of Marseils, that famous Greek Colony, which maintain'd its Politeness, and Purity of Language, in the midst of all those Barbarous Nations amongst which it was seated: And some Tincture of the latter seems to have descended from them down to the Modern French. He frequented the most Eminent Professors of the Epicurean Philosophy, which was then much in vogue, and will be always in declining and sickly States. But finding no satisfactory Account from his Master Syron, he pass'd over to the Academick School, to which he adher'd the rest of his Life, and deserv'd, from a great Emperour, the Title of the Plato of Poets. He compos'd at leisure hours a great number of Verses, on various Subjects; and desirous rather of a great, than early Fame, he permitted his Kinsman, and Fellow-student Varus, to derive the Honour of