If I should produce all
the passages of this excellent author upon the several subjects
which I treat of in this book, I must be obliged to translate half
his works; of which I may say more truly than, in my opinion, he did
of Homer, "Qui quid sit pulchrum, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non,
plenius, et melius Chrysippo, et Crantore dicit." I shall content
myself upon this particular theme with three only, one out of his
Odes, the other out of his Satires, the third out of his Epistles,
and shall forbear to collect the suffrages of all other poets, which
may be found scattered up and down through all their writings, and
especially in Martial's. But I must not omit to make some excuse
for the bold undertaking of my own unskilful pencil upon the
beauties of a face that has been drawn before by so many great
masters, especially that I should dare to do it in Latin verses
(though of another kind) and have the confidence to translate them.
I can only say that I love the matter, and that ought to cover, many
faults; and that I run not to contend with those before me, but
follow to applaud them.
VIRG. GEORG. -
O fortunatus nimium, etc.
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