vour'd now and then to relieve it by a Cadence of Pauses, and a Variation of Measures.
Amphion Dircæus in Actæo Aracyntho.Ecl. 2.
This Line seems not tuneful at the first hearing; but by Repetition, it reconciles it self, and has the same Effect with some Compositions of Musick, which are at the first Performance tiresome, and afterward entertaining.
The Commentators and Criticks are of Opinion, that whenever Virgil is less musical, it is where he endeavours at an Agreement of the Sound with the Sense, as,
Procumbit humi bos.
It wou'd show as much Singularity to deny this, as it does a fanciful Facility to affirm it, because it is obvious, in many Places he had no such View.
|
Inventa sub ilicibus sus. |
Æn. 3. l. 390. |
The Places, which favour most the first Opinion are,
Saxa per & scopulus, & depressas convalles.
