At last, when he brings
AEneas into his royal cottage, he makes him say this memorable
compliment, greater than ever yet was spoken at the Escurial, the
Louvre, or our Whitehall.
Haec, inquit, limina victor
Alcides subiit, haec illum Regia cepit,
Aude, Hospes, contemnere opes, et te quoque dignum
Finge Deo, rebusque veni non asper egenis.
This humble roof, this rustic court, said he,
Received Alcides crowned with victory.
Scorn not, great guest, the steps where he has trod,
But contemn wealth, and imitate a god.
The next man whom we are much obliged to, both for his doctrine and
example, is the next best poet in the world to Virgil: his dear
friend Horace, who, when Augustus had desired Mecaenas to persuade
him to come and live domestically and at the same table with him,
and to be Secretary of State of the whole world under him, or rather
jointly with him (for he says, "ut nos in Epistolis scribendis
adjuvet,") could not be tempted to forsake his Sabine or Tiburtine
Manor, for so rich and so glorious a trouble. There was never, I
think, such an example as this in the world, that he should have so
much moderation and courage as to refuse an offer of such greatness,
and the Emperor so much generosity and good nature as not to be at
all offended with his refusal, but to retain still the same
kindness, and express it often to him in most friendly and familiar
letters, part of which are still extant.
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