Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/34

 Seers assur'd them that an Emperour was Born that Year. Besides this, Virgil had heard of the Assyrian, and Egyptian Prophecies, (which in truth, were no other but the Jewish,) that about that time a great King was to come into the World. Himself takes notice of them, Æn. 6. where he uses a very significant Word, (now in all Liturgies) hujus in adventu, so in another place, adventu propriore Dei.

At his foreseen approach already quake, Assyrian Kingdoms, and Mœotis Lake. Nile hears him knocking at his seven-fold Gates

Every one knows whence this was taken: It was rather a Mistake, than Impiety in Virgil, to apply these Prophesies which belonged to the Saviour of the World to the Person of Octavius, it being a usual piece of flattery for near a Hundred Years together, to attribute them to their Emperors, and other great Men. Upon the whole matter, it is very probable, that Virgil Predicted to him the