Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/46

 not only claims Octavius's Promise, but hints to him the uncertainty of Human Greatness and Glory: All was taken in good part by that Wise Prince: At last effectual Orders were given: About this time, he Compos'd that admirable Poem, which is set first, out of respect to Cæsar; for he does not seem either to have had leisure, or to have been in the Humour of making so solemn an Acknowledgment, till he was possess'd of the Benefit. And now he was in so great Reputation and Interest, that he resolved to give up his Land to his Parents, and himself to the Court. His Pastorals were in such Esteem, that Pollio, now again in high Favour with Cæsar, desired him to reduce them into a Volume. Some Modern Writer, that has a constant flux of Verse, would stand amaz'd how Virgil could employ three whole Years in revising five or six hundred Verses, most of which, probably, were made some time before; but there is more reason to wonder how he could do it so soon in such Perfection. A course