Stone is presently fashion'd; but a Diamond, of not many Karats, is many Weeks in Cutting, and in Polishing many more. He who put Virgil upon this, had a Politick good end in it.
The continu'd Civil Wars had laid Italy almost waste; the Ground was Uncultivated and Unstock'd; upon which ensu'd such a Famine, and Insurrection, that Cæsar hardly scap'd being Ston'd at Rome; his Ambition being look'd upon by all Parties as the principal occasion of it. He set himself therefore with great Industry to promote Country-Improvements; and Virgil was serviceable to his Design, as the good keeper of the Bees, Geor. 4.
Tinnitúsque cie, & matris quate cymbala circum,
Ipsæ consident———
That Emperour afterwards thought it matter worthy a publick Inscription
Rediit cultus Agris.
