Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 2.djvu/33



As for Augustus, or his Uncle Julius, claiming by descent from Æneas; that Title is already out of doors. Æneas succeeded not, but was Elected. Troy was foredoom'd to fail for ever.

Augustus, tis true, had once resolv'd to rebuild that City, and there to make the Seat of Empire: But Horace writes an Ode on purpose to deter him from that Thought; declaring the Place to be accurs'd, and that the Gods would as often destroy it, as it shou'd be rais'd. Hereupon the Emperour laid aside a Project so ungrateful to the Roman People. But by this, my Lord, we may conclude that he had still his Pedigree in his Head; and had an Itch of being thought a Divine King, if his Poets had not given him better Counsel.

I will pass by many less material Objections, for want of room to Answer them: What follows next is of great Importance, if the Criticks can make out their Charge; for tis levell'd at the Manners which our Poet gives his Heroe, and which are the same which were eminently seen in his Augustus. Those Manners were, Piety to the Gods, and a dutiful Affection to his Father; Love to his Relations; Care of his People; Courage and Conduct in the Wars; Gratitude to those who had oblig'd him; and Justice in general to Mankind.

Piety, as your Lordship sees, takes place of all, as the chief part of his Character: And the word in Latin is more full than it can possibly be exprest in any Modern Language; for there it comprehends not only