Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/53

 part of the Fourth Book of the Georgics, according to the general consent of Antiquity: But Cæsar would have it put out, and yet the Seam in the Poem is still to be discern'd; and the matter of Aristæus's recovering his Bees, might have been dispatched in less compass, without fetching the Causes so far, or interessing so many Gods and Goddesses in that Affair. Perhaps some Readers may be inclin'd to think this, tho' very much labour'd, not the most entertaining part of that Work; so hard it is for the greatest Masters to Paint against their Inclination. But Cæsar was content he shou'd be mention'd in the last Pastoral, because it might be taken for a Satyrical sort of Commendation; and the Character he there stands under, might help to excuse his Cruelty, in putting an Old Servant to death for no very great Crime.

And now having ended, as he begins his Georgics, with solemn mention of Cæsar, an Argument of his Devotion to him: He begins his Æneis, according to the