Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 3.djvu/371

Rh Aen. 8. L. 34.So when the Sun by Day, the Moon by Night,
 * Strike on the polish'd Brass their trembling Light, &c.

This Similitude is literally taken from Apollonius Rhodius; and 'tis hard to say, whether the Original or the Translation excels. But in the Shield which he describes afterwards in this Aeneid, he as much transcends his Master Homer; as the Arms of Glaucus were richer than those of Diomedes. .

Lines 115, and 116.Æneas takes the Mother, and her Brood, And all on Juno's Altar are bestow'd.

The Translation is infinitely short of Virgil, whose Words are these;

Tibi enim, tibi maxima Juno Mactat sacra ferens, & cum grege sistit ad aram.

For I cou'd not turn the word Enim into English with any grace. Though it was of such necessity, in the Roman Rites, that a Sacrifice could not be perform'd without it; tis of the same nature, (if I may presume to name that sacred Mystery) in our words of Consecration at the Altar.