Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 2.djvu/91

 If I should translate it Sweet Marjoram, as the word signifies; the Reader would think I had mistaken Virgil: For those Village-words, as I may call them, gives us a mean Idea of the thing; but the Sound of the La­tin is so much more pleasing, by the just mixture of the Vowels with the Consonants, that it raises our Fancies, to conceive somewhat more Noble than a common Herb; and to spread Roses under him, and strew Lillies over him; a Bed not unworthy the Grandson of the Goddess.

If I cannot Copy his Harmonious Numbers, how shall I imitate his noble Flights; where his Thoughts and Words are equally sub­lime?

Quem quisquis studet æmulari, Cæratis ope Dedalaeâ Nititur pennis, vitreo daturus
 * Nomina ponto.

What Modern Language, or what Poet can express the Majestick Beauty of this one Verse amongst a thousand others!

Aude Hospes contemnere opes, & te quoque dignum Finge Deo.

For my part I am lost in the admiration of it: I contemn the World, when I think on it, and my self when I Translate it.

Lay by Virgil, I beseech your Lordship, and all my better sort of Judges, when you take up my Version, and it will appear a passable Beauty, when the Original Muse is absent: But like Spencer's false Florimel made of Snow, it melts and vanishes when the true one comes in sight. I will not excuse but justify my self for one pretended Crime, with which I am liable to be charg'd Rh