The patriotism of Propertius' line is more evident than its truth, especially to the schoolboy. He can read the second, fourth, and sixth books of the Aeneid with enjoyment, and some consciousness of their greatness, and will patronize the fifth with his interest, though the footrace is unfair, the boxing grotesque, and the archery miraculous. But the later books have no appeal. The last Sixth Form with whom I read Aeneid x–xii for Higher Certificate were unmoved, and thought they knew why. It was but adulterated Homer. Incidents which are telling in the Iliad are reproduced and embellished with a care that shows that Virgil's direct inspiration had run dry.