The Bucolics

And he praised Alexis, whom they say was actually Alexander, a slave belonging to Asinius Pollio Gaius Asinius Pollio (76 BC – 4 AD): a Roman general, orator, and poet who was one of Virgil's first major patrons. They say Virgil learned to love him to such an extent that in his presence he cherished him as the most beautiful [youth], and eventually received him as a gift.

He also places the beautiful Caesar Octavian, the future Emperor Augustus foremost in wealth and glory. Others think he praises Caesar because of the "true" Caesar original: "verum cesarem" through the persona of Virgil, and that he held a love for boys. Truly, he loved him at that time.

Others believe the same Asinius Pollio was loved by Virgil. For they say that this same person was given as a gift by his master to Virgil, and his name was Mimpani original: "mimpani"; likely a scribal corruption of a name from the biographical tradition of Virgil, such as Alexander or perhaps a reference to the youth Cebes. From that kind of love, which is called ardent original: "arduales"; likely a transcription error for ardentis (burning or passionate), "sweetly touching Alexis." Truly, they think this was without reason and suspicious; however, this youth was a favorite of Pollio. And Virgil thought he had estimated himself as an equal if he praised the youth's beauty.

Pollio

Pollio was delighted, as at that time he was pressing upon Transpadane Italy The region of Italy north of the Po River, holding power and presiding over the division of lands Refers to the confiscation and redistribution of Italian lands to veteran soldiers after the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC. He ought [to say] this because he was indebted to his master—namely, either Caesar or Pollio.

Lest anyone should hope for the labor [to succeed], nor should hope be placed in it; only in time. Constantly original: "Assidue" he brought forth unrefined Incondita: unpolished, raw, or rustic verses; literally "not put together", uncomposed things, suddenly spoken: rustic or insane words spoken to the mind, or "soaked" original: "madita"; likely meaning "saturated" with emotion or wine and written down.

As in Sallust The Roman historian Sallust, known for his concise and sometimes archaic style: "Let them approach whom they please." At all this time, he was at the unrefined gates original: "portas inconditas". To the mountains and because of the woods and his study [of poetry], he was boasting; he poured out [his words] in vain, producing nothing for himself, because he was speaking to someone absent.

In the same way, through an incongruous allegory Allegory: a literary device where characters or events represent deeper political or moral meanings, he [describes] Caesar, who did not write in the manner of a rhetorician and not...