TITYRVS , is a feigned name , and in the Laconian language signifies , a greatgrowne-Ramme , which is wont to leade the Flocke : Vnder this name , VIRGIL co●cheth himselfe , and describes his owne fortune ; and ( by the way ) sets forth the Bountie of CAESAR vnto him ; and testifies his owne Thankefulnesse to OCTAVIAN , by making a commemoration of his happinesse , which by his favour hee did enioy : ( herein performing the two duties of true Gratitude at once : the first part whereof is to acknowledge the good turne ; but the summe of all , is to confesse the person , that is the Author of the benefit .

MELIBE , is also a feigned name , so called of the Greeke , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because he hath the care and looking to the Oxen committed vnto him ; Vnder this Person VIRGIL describes an vnfortunate miserable man , exiled and forced out of his owne Country ; but more pertinently and directly , the wofull state of the poore People of Mantua , VIRGILS native Country , where hee was bred and borne .

THE Greeke Poets that lived in former time , were held in more honour , and estimation amongst the favourers of learning in that Nation , than the Latin Poets were amongst the Latins , insomuch that the most exquisite wits of the Greekes did write diverse Comments vpon Homer , as likewise sundry Philosophers amongst them ; and namely Aristotle , ( in my mind , the Prince , and instar omnium , of them all ) wherein our Countrimen the Latins ( I speake not of those , who lived in the age , wherein Poetry had not yet begnn to haue any the least acceptance , ( men which never had leisure to lay the plough , or the lance out of their hands ) but I meane those in these latter ages , who haue applied themselves to Philosophy , and the more graver studies ) have so opposed themselves amongst the gentle Muses , as that they thought it a disparagement once to touch , or come neere them : as if but glancing vpon these milder kindes of studies , had beene the ready way to haue flung them headlong from that heigth of wisdome to which they did aspire : certainly hereby they did defraud themselves of no meane delight vnto their wits , and a great refreshing and rejoycing of their mindes and spirits , in shutting wilfully their eares , against that delectable sweete harmony of the Poets . The blame hereof partly the perverse obstinate natures of those times , and partly the times themselves , and ill received opinions , must beare . As for me , ( having so warrantable an Authour for so weighty a matter , as Aristotle ) I will never make nice to intermixe these so pleasing and sweete remissions , and vnbending of the minde , with the severity of my more serious studies , and to comment vpon the merry Muses , as now of late I haue done vpon Virgils Bucolickes , out of which I haue picked a deeper sense in many places , than the vulgar common Grammarians can conceive . For , did these Aeglogues containe in them no farther hidden matter , than the very bare barke of the words makes shew of , I cannot thinke that the Author had needed to haue taken three yeares time to haue brought them to perfection , especially borrowing the greatest part of the whole subiect out of Theocritus the Sicilian Poet ; Adde hereunto , that he vndertooke this taske to present the greatest wits of Rome withall , namely Cornelius Gallus , Asinius Pollio , Varus , Tucca , yea the Prince himselfe Augustus ; all which ( excellently learned men themselues , and much conversant and accustomed in the best and chiefest writers , both in Greeke and Latin ) would doubtlesse never haue beene so taken , and infinitely delighted , with such kindes of light matter as Pastoralls , had they not affoorded some hidden meaning and sense of a higher nature . Againe , when he once set himselfe to insinuate into their favour and grace by this worke , it is to be thought that Virgil , vnder these sporting passages of pastorall verse , did finely and neatly as it were , inlay , and couch many things tending to their praise and commendation , and sundry other matters , befitting them to take notice of ; which being vnderstood rightly , might affect the Readers mindes , like the elegant and artificiall Pictures , which lay secretly hidden vnder the statue of the Sileni . Hereunto may likewise farther be added , that the matter itselfe and subject of this worke doth plainly witnesse in sundry places , that it is not simply , but figuratively spoken , vnder a shadow : which makes me admire the more at Servius Honoratus , who will in this booke admit of no Allegories , but onely in that passage of Virgils grounds , which were lost : when as many other matters are therein manifestly and meerely allegoricall and darke : wherefore I have thought good , to signifie to the world , that I haue trimmed vp these Allegories for their vse , and behoofe , who are delighted with the reading of Virgil , ( as who is it that it not ? ) to the end that the finest wits might haue a certaine repast , and delicate foode fitting their taste , and might be drawne to mount higher than the simple sense of the very bare letter . Moreover I shall hereby restore the Poet to the true scope and aime of his meaning , and shew , that his purpose was not to consume so much precious time , and exquisite verses in triviall light matters of no moment ; and that those things which Theocritus in a ruder barbarous age , did sing in a Pastorall plaine sense , Virgil here doth apply to the Romans , making them his owne , vnder a mysticall vnderstanding , worthy the cares of the most learned : notwithstanding I make no doubt but I have fitted some of his verses with such an allegory and explication , as the Authour himselfe never dreamed of ; as likewise many other , I have as aptly applyed , according to his scope and meaning in the writing : wherein yet I know I haue done a thing , neither vnacceptable , nor vnprofitable to the Reader : Greeke writers haue done the like before my time , in expounding of Homer ; and Donatus in our language , hath attempted and performed as much in his comment vpon Terence and this Poet , where he vndertakes by his Glosses , to bewray their sense and meaning , &c.

BY Amaryllis , he meaneth Rome , or else , Octavian : whose praise he set forth in his pastorall verse , which is meant by his slender oaten pipe .

And God himselfe , &c. Octavian was not yet accepted nor worshipped for a God , when Virgil composed these Aeglogues : and therefore he vseth this word Mihi : for had he beene so generally reputed as a God , this emphaticall pronounce ( which the Poet inserts vpon especiall consideration ) had beene superfluous . For he intimates thus much , that howsoever he had behaved himselfe as an enemie to others , yet he had approved himselfe to him , in stead of a God . For as Pliny saith , he by whom a man receiues helpe and comfort , is a God to him ; and therefore antiquity Him as my God hath feigned very brute beasts , ( by whose service they received profit ) for Gods : So the Cat , the Dog , the Oxe , and the Ibis were honoured as gods amongst the Aegyptians . And so the Gracians set them vp for gods , who had found out the first vse of things profitable and necessary for mans life ; as namely Minerva , for the invention of oyle : Bacchus , for finding the making of wine : and Aesculapius , for the vse of medicine and chirurgery .

But thou liest shaded in security . Thou art secure and free from the scortching heare of the Sunne ; that is , safe from the furie and violence of the conquering souldier , that harries our Country all over at Mantua .

The Oakes I saw blasted with &c. When I saw the Oakes blasted with lightning ; that is , the Bruts , and Cassius , and others the murtherers of Caesar , when I saw them banished , and overthrowne , and all that tooke their part , ( amongst whom they of Cremona were ) I might haue escaped that calamity , if I had departed ; and avoided the contagion of my neighbours , ( that is , their treason and conspiracy ) and had by some meanes made my peace with the Conquerour , and procured him to be my friend .

The luckie Crow &c. In the Latin , it is Sinistra Cornix : this word Sinistrum , ( howsoever in humane affaires it signifie vnluckie , ) yet in those kinde of fites and ceremonies , vsed in divination , among the heathen , Sinistrum is taken in the contrary sense , as Avis sinistra , is as much to say , as good lucke : intonuit Laevum , it thundered on the left hand , that is , it thundered luckely , or we shall have good successe : and this word sinistrum , is so named à sinendo , from sufferig and permitting , because the gods doe suffer vs to proceede in our purposed projects : and therefore Cicero , in lib. 1. de Divinatione , saith , A sinistra Cornice , ratum , & firmum Augurium fieri : The prophecy of the Augurs was ratified , and confirmed , from the Crow , which they beheld on their left hand : and in the law of the twelve Tables , it is said , Ave finistra , populi magister esto ; that is , By the bird on the left hand , it is certaine , that thou art the man who must rule the people . And from hence ( in the judgement of Lipsius , in his Lib. 2. Cap. 2. Elect. ) the Graecians haue named the left hand , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifying the best . Now the reason , why those things that did appeare to the Augurs , in the time of their diving , on the left hand , were commonly held to be tokens of good lucke , was for that in the giving of a benefit , the givers right hand is opposite , and just against the left hand of the receiver : so that in this Eglogue , and in the ninth , Sinistra Cornix , is to be taken for luckie , or fortunate ; because appearing on the left hand , it forewarned of danger , before it hapned .

But thilk same God , &c. Here demanding him of Caesar , ( befitting the rudenesse and ignorance of a Shepheard ) with a long circumstance , and yet wittily and cunningly he tells That famous Citty , &c. him a tale of Rome . For in describing Rome , he magnifies the greatnesse of Caesar , who ruled Rome , and subdued it to his government : and here the Poet ( as in all other passages ) observes an excellent decorum , suitable to Country plain men ) as if they had no more knowledge of Rome , than by a light flying heresay ; ( a thing naturall and vsuall to Shepheards , to know no ne●es of any thing , though of importance and waighty ) if it be but a Furlong beyond their fould ; ( as not being inquisitive and curious of forraine marters . )

Siker : an old Saxon word ; as much as verily , or surely .

Bett : a word contracted from better , and vsed in this sense by Chancer , and Mr. Spencer .

Sibb to our homely home , &c. Shepheards , as they be rude and ignorant , so they esteeme and measure all things according to their owne meanes . So Tityrus saith , he deemed that pompous goodly Citty ( so full of Nobility , Lords , and Gentry , and the seate of the Empire ) to be like their poore Shepheards Towne , or rather Sheepe-cote ; that is , He thought , that the wit , vnderstanding , eloquence , humanity , civill behaviour , and education of the people of Rome , was like their homely stuffe , and clownish manners at Mantua .

Fon : a contraction from fondling : Spencer .

Dempt : for deemed , or imagined : Spencer .

Ycleeped : named or called : Chaucer .

Sibb an old Saxon word , as much as of kinred or alliance : from hence coms our word Gossip ; corruptly so written and spoken ; it being indeede , God-sib : that is , a kinred in God : all such as are Godfathers and Godmothers together at the christning of a child , by the Popes Canons , become Sib to each other , and of a spirituall kindred , so neere allyed , that such Godsibs may not marry together , without speciall dispensation from his Holinesse .

But what so great cause dandled thy desire , &c. A rusticall speech , and a question well suiting the sillinesse of the Country ; for shepheards , and home bred people , are woont to stand at gaze , and admire at any thing the cause wherof , and the reason , they know not .

My freedome &c. A specious tittle , and a very reasonable pretext , and such as might easily pierse the simple mind of a Shepheard ; it being even imprinted in the disposition of all creatures as well reasonable , as others , naturally to affect freedome : which principle is found most true by daily experience , in such birds , and beasts , as by mans art are reclaimed , how loath th●y are to yeeld vnto bondage ; and being subdued , if never so little left to themselves , how soone they apprehend their first estate and freedome , and how warily they preserve themselves from being enthralled againe . Againe Virgil could not have devised to haue flattered more artificially , than by confessing to have gained liberty by his meanes , who was suspected to have aimed at the destruction and vsurpation of the generall liberty and immunities of Rome : moreover in acknowledging Caesars favour , for restoring him to his estate , and liberty : he yet mentions his libertie in the first place , as the most excellent benefit worthy to be preferred before all other blessings whatsoever , as the most excellent benefit , worthy to bee preferred before all other blessings whatsoever , as a Iewell of most incomparable value ; which caused another Poet to cry out , ( as being rapt with admiration thereof : ) O bona libertas , pretio , pretiosior omni : Deere Liberty , a gemm beyond all price .

After my beard grew white , &c. VIRGIL was but young , when hee wrote his Bucolickes about thirty yeares old ; for hee was borne in that yeare , when Pompey and Crassus were Consuls ; from which time to the Triumvirate , were twenty foure yeares : againe , the Triumvirate lasted ten yeares . Therefore this speech of Virgil is hyperbolicall and vsed by him , with great affection ; intimating thereby that hee had lived so long without true liberty , and preferment , in meane estate , and povertie , that he seemed in his owne mind to have growne old in living all this while in this kinde of meane condition .

I fairely must confesse , &c. At Mantua , I could neither enjoy libertie nor wealth ; howsoever I did there giue as much testimonie of my wit , and learning , no lesse worthy the acceptance , than I did at Rome : but vertue had there no respect , nor learning any estimation amongst those Mantuan Blockheads ; who as their minds were not capable of arts , and true knowledge , so likewise they did as little regard them .

Sad Amaryllis , &c. By Amaryllis , he meaneth Rome ; and he calls it sad , ( though it were the Emperesse of the world ) in respect of the favour and esteeme , which Virgill was in , as being sad , and all the whole Citty out of quiet , if he did but stirr a little from thence ; so gracious was he to all sorts .

And all the gods invoke , &c. I did wonder much , why Rome should invoke and intreate all the gods ( that is , Caesar , and all the Nobles ) to shew thee savour , and to be good to thee , and to suffer thy apples to hang safe on the tree , vntouched of any : that is , to giue charge that none should meddle with any of the goods of Virgil.

Fountaines and Shrubs , &c. Thou hadst such an interest , in the mindes of all sorts , the highest , the middle sort , and the meanest of the commons , as that thou couldst not bee mist , but all men did seeke thy loue , and acquaintance .

Here first mine Eye , &c. This was cause enough ( if there were no other reason ) to have inticed me to goe to Rome ; for there I first saw that goodly young Prince Octavian , for whose prosperitie I doe dedicate twelve dayes euery yeare , to sacrificing and prayer . He names him That young man , by an excellence , as being ( as in degree aboue all other ) so in all vertuous qualities , and behaviour , the non parcille of all the youth of his age ; he being very young at that time , not exceeding five and twenty yeares .

He , first vnask'd , &c. He , ( namely Caesar Octavian ) without any second meanes of his Lords , or any intreaty of my owne , of his owne clemency and princely disposition , did prevent me in my request , and granted it vnto me , before I could aske him .

Feede ( Ladd ) thine Oxen as woont , &c. Goe forward in thy studies , which thou hast begun , and vnder my Patronage and protection , increase , and finish them .

Vnder so mighty Patronage , &c. Vnder so great a Patron and defender , the monuments of thy wit shall remaine for ever ; or else it may be simply vnderstood of his grounds , being spoken in the praise of Caesars bounty and mercy to him .

Although each Pasture , &c. This is simply , and without any figure to be taken , as meaning that Virgils grounds were bounded in , on the one side with mountaines , on the other with marsh , and fenn ; neverthelesse it should be sufficient for him , and his stocke , so that neither hee nor they should neede to seeke abroad for more to maintaine himselfe or them : intimating further , the great commodity which he receives by the strong fencing , and mounding of his grounds , whereby his Cattle shall be safe from the injurie of neighbours , which those beasts which are apt to stray and rome abroad , ( such as are bullockes and Bees ) doe often fall into .

Ne shall vnwoonted feede , &c. Being backed with these so mighty Patrons , though others lands be taken from them , yet thine shall be saf● ; neither ( having these so gracious pill●rs of learning to countenance thee ) shalt thou feare , that the esteeme of thy wit , and thy M●se , shall ever suffer losse .

Amongst these well knowne streames , &c. This is none of the least happinesse of a mans life , for a man to live all his whole time in his owne Country , and to spend his age , where he began his youth , and hath long continued : according to that saying of Claudian , Foelix , qui Patrijs aevum transegit in arvis .

Amongst the Brytans , &c. Antiquitie called onely that the world , which was the continent all along the maine Ocean : but as for the Ilands of the Ocean , they counted to bee out of the world ; esteeming no Ilands to be part of the world , but those of the Mediterra●ean ; as Sicilia , Sardinia , the Cyclades , and the rest . Therefore the calamity was wondrous grievous , which could not be repaired by any neere journey at home ; but the Citizens of Mantua , were enforced to seeke habitation out of the Roman protection , as it were in another world , which compared with the Roman , was all barbaros , and senselesse of civility .

God knowes , &c. A naturall affection and sympathy in outlawes , and banished persons , which makes them apt to snatch at every little accident , which may suggest the least hope to see once againe the delights , which they were forced to leaue behinde them : at sight wherof they both wonder and rejoyce : the like passion vsually affects travailours , after their long and tedious peregrintation , especially in Countries of courser condition , & for all things fit for pleasure , & true comfort , every way short and inferiour to their owne , 〈◊〉 Shall the rude , &c. This is expressed with great indignation and disdaine , that some ●ude barbarous Raskall should enioy that , which the poore owner hath sweat for , and gotten hardly together .