OF SELBORNE. 189 



Virgil, as a familiar occurrence, by way of simile, 

 describes a dove haunting the cavern of a rock, in such 

 engaging numbers, that I cannot refrain from quoting 

 the passage : and John Dryden has rendered it so 

 happily in our language, that without further excuse 

 I shall add his translation also. 



" Quails spelunca subitd commota Columba, 

 Cui domus et dulces latebroso in pumice nidi, 

 Fertur in arva volans, plausumque exterrita pejinis 

 Dat tecto ingentem mox aere lapsa quieto, 

 Radit iter liquidum, celeres neque commovet alas." 



" As when a dove her rocky hold forsakes, 

 Roused, in a fright her sounding wings she shakes ; 

 The cavern rings with clattering : out she flies, 

 And leaves her callow care, and cleaves the skies : 

 At first she flutters : but at length she springs 

 To smoother flight, and shoots upon her wings." 



I am, &c. 



