Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 3.djvu/346

820 most unthankful of Mankind, if I did not always preserve for him a most profound Respect and inviolable Gratitude. I must also add, that if the last Æneid shine amongst its Fellows, tis owing to the Commands of Sir William Trumball, one of the Principal Secretaries of State, who recommended it, as his Favourite, to my Care: and for his sake particularly I have made it mine. For who wou'd confess weariness, when he enjoin'd a fresh Labour? I cou'd not but invoke the assistance of a Muse, for this last Office.

Extremum hunc Arethusa: Negat quis Carmina Gallo?

Neither am I to forget the Noble Present which was made me by Gilbert Dolben Esq the worthy Son of the late Arch-Bishop of York: who, when I began this Work, enrich'd me with all the several Editions of Virgil, and all the Commentaries of those Editions in Latin. Amongst which, I cou'd not but prefer the Dauphine's; as the last, the shortest, and the most Judicious. Fabrini I had also sent me from Italy; but either he understands Virgil very imperfectly, or I have no knowledge of my Author.

Being Invited by that worthy Gentleman, Sir William Bowyer, to Denham-Court, I Translated the first Georgic at his House, and the greatest part of the last Æneid. A more friendly Entertainment no Man ever found. No wonder therefore if both those Versions surpass the rest, and own the satisfaction I receiv'd in his Converse, with whom I had the honour to be bred