Note 94 — BOOK VII. (continued 2)
Charles Duke Yonge translation
This is similar to Virgil’s description.
Quinque tenent cœlum zonæ, quarum una corusco Semper Sole rubens, et torrida semper ab igni: Quam circum extremæ dextrà lævàque trahuntur. Cœruleâ glacie concretæ atque imbribus atris. Has inter mediamque duæ mortalibus ægris Munere concessæ Divûm, et via secta per ambas, Obliquus qua se signorum verteret ordo.—Georg. I. 233.
There is no part of Dryden’s translation superior to that of this passage.
Five girdles bind the skies; the torrid zone Glows with the passing and repassing sun; Far on the right and left, th’ extremes of heaven, To frosts, and snows, and bitter blasts are given; Betwixt the midst. And there the Gods assigned Four habitable seats for human kind, And, cross their limits cut a sloping way, Which the twelve signs in beauteous order sway. l. 322.