But let us consider the secret reasons which Virgil had for thus
framing this noble episode, wherein the whole passion of love is
more exactly described than in any other poet. Love was the theme
of his fourth book; and though it is the shortest of the whole
"AEneis," yet there he has given its beginning, its progress, its
traverses, and its conclusion; and had exhausted so entirely this
subject that he could resume it but very slightly in the eight
ensuing books.
She was warmed with the graceful appearance of the hero; she
smothered those sparkles out of decency, but conversation blew them
up into a flame. Then she was forced to make a confidante of her
whom she best might trust, her own sister, who approves the passion,
and thereby augments it; then succeeds her public owning it; and
after that the consummation. Of Venus and Juno, Jupiter and
Mercury, I say nothing (for they were all machining work); but
possession having cooled his love, as it increased hers, she soon
perceived the change, or at least grew suspicious of a change.
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