Dryden’s Aeneid
Virgil’s Aeneid in John Dryden’s verse translation (1697), in twelve books. Each book opens with Dryden’s Argument, a summary of its action, and the line numbers count Dryden’s own lines within each book.
Dryden wrote in verse and used the Roman names of the gods (Jove for Zeus, Juno for Hera); a table of the names follows Dryden’s Dedication of the Aeneis. Modern translations compared: the translation guide.
To the most honourable
The Trojans, after a seven years’ voyage, set sail for Italy, but are overtaken by a dreadful storm, which Aeolus raises at the request of Juno.
Aeneas relates how the city of Troy was taken, after a ten years’ siege, by the treachery of Sinon, and the stratagem of a wooden horse.
Aeneas proceeds in his relation: he gives an account of the fleet with which he sailed, and the success of his first voyage to Thrace.
Dido discovers to her sister her passion for Aeneas, and her thoughts of marrying him.
Aeneas, setting sail from Afric, is driven by a storm on the coast of Sicily, where he is hospitably received by his friend Acestes, king of part of the island, and born of Trojan parentage.
The Sibyl foretells Aeneas the adventures he should meet with in Italy.
King Latinus entertains Aeneas, and promises him his only daughter, Lavinia, the heiress of his crown.
The war being now begun, both the generals make all possible preparations.
Turnus takes advantage of Aeneas’s absence, fires some of his ships (which are transformed into sea nymphs,) and assaults his camp.
Jupiter, calling a council of the gods, forbids them to engage in either party.
Aeneas erects a trophy of the spoils of Mezentius, grants a truce for burying the dead, and sends home the body of Pallas with great solemnity.
Turnus challenges Aeneas to a single combat: articles are agreed on, but broken by the Rutuli, who wound Aeneas.
POSTSCRIPT
Dryden’s Dedication of the Aeneis and his Argument to each book are printed with the poem.