Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 2.djvu/79



Pallas says it to Turnus just before they Fight. Ruæus thinks that the word Pater is to be referr'd to Evander the Father of Pallas. But how cou'd he imagine that it was the same thing to Evander, if his Son were slain, or if he overcame. The Poet certainly intended Ju­piter the common Father of Mankind; who, as Pallas hop'd, wou'd stand an impartial Spectatour of the Combat, and not be more favour­able to Turnus, than to him. The Second is not long after it, and both before the Duel is begun. They are the words of Jupiter, who comforts Hercules for the death of Pallas, which was immediately to ensue, and which Hercules cou'd not hinder: (though the young Heroe had address'd his Prayers to him for his assistance:) Because the Gods cannot controul Destiny. The Verse follows:

Which the same Ruæus thus construes: Jupiter after he had said this, immediately turns his Eyes to the Rutulian Fields, and beholds the Duel. I have given this place another Exposition, that he turn'd his Eyes from the Field of Combat, that he might not behold a sight so unpleasing to him. The Word Rejicit I know will admit of both sen­ses; but Jupiter having confess'd that he could not alter Fate, and being griev'd he cou'd not, in consideration of Hercules, it seems to me that he shou'd avert his Eyes, rather than take pleasure in the Spectacle. But of this I am not so confident as the other, though I think I have follow'd Virgil's Sense.

What I have said, though it has the face of arrogance, yet is in­tended for the honour of my Country;