THE FIRST ECLOGUE. By JOHN CARYLL, Efq; The Reader may be pleased to obferve, that Virgil, under the Name of Tityrus, perfonates himself, newly faved by the Favour of Auguftus Cæfar, from the general Calamity of his Mantuan Neighbours; whofe Lands were taken from them, and divided amongst the Veteran Soldiers, for having been dipt (as may be prefumed) in the fame Guile with their Berderers of Cremona; who in the Civil Wars, joined with Caffius and Brutus. Thefe Mantuans are likewife perfonated by Meliboeus; as alfo by Amaryllis, the City of Rome, by Galatea that of Mantua are reprefented. The drift of this Eclogue, is to celebrate the Munificence of Auguftus towards Virgil, whom he makes his tutelar God; and the better to fet this off, he brings in Melit ceus, viz. by Mantuan Neighbours, pathetically relating their own deplo rable Condition, and at the fame time magnifying the felicity of Tityrus. This his Exemption from the common Calamity of his Country men, Virgil fhadows over with the Allegory of a Slave, recovering his Liberty, And because Slaves did not commonly use to be infranchifed, 'till Age had made them ufelefs for Labour; to follow the Trope, be makes himself an old Man, as by the Candidi or Barba, and the Fortunate Senex, fufficiently VOL. I. P 2 3 appears; though in reality Virgil at that time was young and then first made known to AQguftus, by the Recommendation of his Verses, and of his Friends, Varus and Mæcenas. TITYRUS. MELIBEUS. IN MELIBE VS. N peaceful Shades, which aged Oaks diffuse, We leave our Home, and (once) our pleasant Fields, While you in Songs your happy Love proclaim, A God (to me he always fhall be fo) O Melibeus! did this Grace beftow." The choiceft Lamb, which in my Flock does feed, Shall each new Moon upon his Altar bleed: He every Bleffing on his Creatures brings; [fings. By him the Herd does graze, by him the Herdsman MELIBE VS. I envy not, but I admire your Fate, Which thus exempts you from our wretched State. 'Twas oft foretold me by Heaven's loudest Voice, TITTRU S. The place call'd Rome, I foolishly believ'd' Was like our Mantua, where, on Market-days, What great Occafion call'd you hence to Rome ? Freedom, which came at laft, though flow to come: And Age fome Snow had sprinkled on my Chin, Nor then, till Galatea I forfook, For Amaryllis daign'd on me to look. No hope for Liberty, I must confefs, No hope, nor care of Wealth, did me poffefs, For though my Flock her Altars did maintain, MELIBEUS. I wonder'd (Galatea!) whence should come, -Mountain and Spring, thee every Tree did call! What should I do? I could not here be free, There I the Heavenly Youth did firft behold, M } He heard my Prayers, Go home (he cry'd) and feed In peace your Herd, let forth your Bulls for breed, MELIBE VS. Happy old Man! thy Farm untouch'd remains, Thrice happy Swain! guarded from, Sirian Beams, How, with their drowfie tone, the whistling Air TITTRUS. [Throat, Therefore the Land and Sea fhall dwellers change: MELIBE US. But we muft rome to Parts remote, unknown, Some 'mongst the utmoft Britains are confin'd, But in ftrange Lands an endlefs Exile be? From my poor Cottage, rear'd with Turf and Reed? Graft Pears (O Melibeus!) plant the Vine! At least this Night with me forget your Care ; The SECOND ECLOGUE. English'd by Mr. TATE. A Hopeless Flame did Corydon destroy, The lov'd Alexis was his Mafter's Joy. No refpite from his Grief the Shepherd knew, Cruel Alexis! haft thou no remorse? Muft I expire, and have my Songs no force? While bufie Theftylis provides both Sawce and Fare. |