Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 2.djvu/47

 borrow'd so much from Homer, and yet concluded for the Banishment of all Poets, wou'd at least have rewarded Virgil, before he sent him into Exile. But I go farther, and say, that he ought to be acquitted; and deserv'd beside, the Bounty of Augustus, and the Gratitude of the Roman People. If after this, the Ladies will stand out, let them remember, that the Jury is not all agreed; for Octavia was of his Party, and was of the first Quality in Rome; she was also present at the reading of the Sixth Æneid, and we know not that she condemn'd Æneas; but we are sure she Presented the Poet, for his admirable Elegy on her Son Marcellus.

But let us consider the secret Reasons which Virgil had, for thus framing this Noble Episode, wherein the whole Passion of Love is more exactly describ'd, than in any other Poet: Love was the Theme of his Fourth Book; and though it is the shortest of the whole Æneis, yet there he has given its beginning, its progress, its traverses, and its conclusion: and had exhausted so entirely this Subject, that he cou'd resume it but very slightly in the Eight ensuing Books.

She was warm'd with the graceful appearance of the Heroe, she smother'd those Sparkles out of decency, but Conversation blew them up into a Flame. Then she was forc'd to make a Confident of her, whom she best might trust, her own Sister, who approves the Passion, and thereby augments it; then succeeds her publick owning it; and after that, the consummation. Of Venus and Juno, Jupiter and Mercury, I say nothing, for they were all Machining Work: but possession having cool'd his Love, as it increas'd hers, she soon perceiv'd the change, or at least grew suspicious of a change; this soon turn'd to Jealousy, and Jealousy to Rage; then she disdains and threatens, and again is humble, and intreats: and nothing availing, despairs, curses, and at last becomes her own Executioner.