first, to own what Helps I have had in this Undertaking. The late Earl of Lauderdail, sent me over his new Translation of the Æneis; which he had ended before I ingag'd in the same Design. Neither did I then intend it: But some Proposals being afterwards made me by my Bookseller, I desir'd his Lordship's leave, that I might accept them, which he freely granted; and I have his Letter yet to shew, for that permission. He resolv'd to have Printed his Work; which he might have done two Years before I cou'd Publish mine: and had perform'd it, if Death had not prevented him. But having his Manuscript in my hands, I consulted it as often as I doubted of my Author's sense. For no Man understood Virgil better than that Learned Noble Man. His Friends, I hear, have yet another, and more Correct Copy of that Translation by them: which had they pleas'd to have given the Publick, the Judges must have been convinc'd, that I have not flatter'd him. Besides this help, which was not inconsiderable, Mr. Congreve has done me the Favour to review the Æneis; and compare my Version with the Original. I shall never be asham'd to own, that this Excellent Young Man has shew'd me many Faults, which I have endeavour'd to Correct. Tis true, he might have easily found more, and then my Translation had been more Perfect.
Two other Worthy Friends of mine, who desire to have their Names conceal'd, seeing me straitned in my time, took Pity on me, and gave me the Life of Virgil, the two Prefaces to the Pastorals, and the Georgics, and all the Arguments in Prose to the whole Translation. Which perhaps, has caus'd a Report that the two First Poems are not mine. If it had been true, that I had taken their Verses for my own, I might have glory'd in their Aid; and like Terence, have farther'd the Opinion, that Scipio and Lælius join'd
