But whereas Ronsard's Followers suppose that when Æneas had buried his Father, he set Sail immediately for Italy, (tho' the Tempest drove him on the Coast of Carthage,) Segrais will by no means allow that Supposition; but thinks it much more probable that he remain'd in Sicily till the midst of July, or the beginning of August; at which time he places the first appearance of his Heroe on the Sea; and there opens the Action of the Poem. From which beginning, to the Death of Turnus, which concludes the Action, there need not be suppos'd above ten Months of intermediate time: For arriving at Carthage in the latter end of Summer; staying there the Winter following; departing thence in the very beginning of the Spring; making a short abode in Sicily the second time, landing in Italy, and making the War, may be reasonably judg'd the business but of ten Months. To this the Ronsardians reply, that having been for Seven Years before in quest of Italy, and having no more to do in Sicily, than to interr his Father; after that Office was perform'd, what remain'd for him, but, without delay, to pursue his first Adventure? To which Segrais answers, that the Obsequies of his Father, according to the Rites of the Greeks and Romans, would detain him for many days: That a longer time must be taken up in the refitting of his Ships, after so tedious a Voyage; and in refreshing his Weather-beaten Soldiers on a friendly Coast. These indeed are but Suppositions on both sides, yet those of Segrais seem better grounded. For the Feast of Dido, when she entertain'd Æneas first, has the appearance of a Summer's Night, which seems already almost ended, when he begins his Story: Therefore the Love was made in Autumn; the Hunting follow'd properly, when the heats of that scorching Country were declining: The Winter was pass'd in jollity, as the Season and their Love requir'd; and he left her
