The Kind of Verse therefore, which I have chosen, distinguishes this Translation from Those of Others, who have gone before me in this bold Undertaking: For I had never heard of Dr. _Brady_'s Design, 'till long after This was in a great Forwardness. And His being not yet executed; He is not to be reckoned among my Predecessors: of whom I presume it is expected that I should now give some Account. When I say my Translation is thus distinguished from Those of Others, I speak of our own Countrymen; because _Hannibal Caro_'s _Italian Æneis_ is in Blank Verse, such as it is: For [24]Mr. _Dryden_'s Character of it is a very true one; and I need not add any thing to it. Few Persons were ever more familiarly acquainted with the _Æneis_, had a truer Gust, and Relish of it's Beauties, or enter'd more deeply into the Sentiments, into the very Soul, and Spirit of it's Author, than Monsieur _Segrais_. His Preface is altogether admirable; and his Translation perhaps almost as good as the _French_ Language will allow; which is just as fit for an Epic Poem, as an ambling Nag is for a War-Horse. It is indeed my Opinion of the _French_; that none write better _of_ Poetry, and few (as to _Metre_) worse _in_ it. Their Language is excellent for Prose; but quite otherwise for Verse, especially Heroic. And therefore tho' the Translating of Poems into Prose is a strange, modern Invention; yet the _French_ Transposers are in the right; because their Language will not bear Verse. The Translation of the _Æneis_ into _Scotish_ Metre by _Gawin Douglas_ Bishop of _Donkeld_, is said to be a very extraordinary Work by Those who understand it better than I do: There being added to it a long List of great Men, who give him a wonderful Character, both as an excellent Poet, and a most pious Prelate. What Mr. _Pope_ says of _Ogilby's Homer_, may as well be apply'd to his _Virgil_, that his Poetry is too mean for Criticism. Mr. _Dryden_ tells us, that no Man understood _Virgil_ better than the Earl of _Lauderdale_; and I believe few did. His Translation is pretty near to the Original; tho' not so close, as it's Brevity would make one imagine; and it sufficiently appears that he had a right Taste of Poetry in general, and of _Virgil_'s in particular. He shews a true Spirit; and in many Places is very beautiful. But we should certainly have seen _Virgil_ far better translated by a Noble Hand; had the Earl of _Lauderdale_ been the Earl of _Roscommon_; or had the _Scotish_ Peer followed all the Precepts, and been animated with the Genius of the _Irish_.