Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 3.djvu/374

848 Falsar cannot otherwise be turn'd, than by falsify'd; for his shield was falsed, is not English. I might indeed have contented my self with saying his Shield was pierc'd, and board, and stuck with Javelins; Nec sufficit Umbo Ictibus. They who will not admit a new word, may take the old; the matter is not worth dispute.

Aeneid the 10th. A Choir of Nereids, &c. These were transform'd from Ships to Sea-Nymphs: This is almost as violent a Machine, as the death of Aruns by a Goddess in the Episode of Camilla. But the Poet makes use of it with greater Art: For here it carries on the main Design. These new made Divinities, not only tell Aeneas what had pass'd in his Camp during his absence; and what was the present Distress of his Besieg'd People; and that his Horse-men whom he had sent by Land, were ready to join him at his Descent; but warn him to provide for Battel the next day, and fore-tell him good success: So that this Episodical Machine is properly a part of the great Poem; For besides what I have said, they push on his Navy with Celestial Vi­gour, that it might reach the Port more speedily, and take the Enemy more unprovided to resist the Landing. Whereas the Machine rela­ting to Camilla, is only Ornamental: For it has no effect, which I can find, but to please the Reader, who is concern'd, that her Death shou'd be reveng'd.