Page:Homer's Battle of the Frogs and Mice - Parnell (1717).djvu/14



But as I am averse from all Information which lessens our Surprize, I only mention these for a Handle to quarrel with the Custom of long Arguments before a Poem. It may be necessary in Books of Controversy or abstruse Learning, to write an Epitome before each Part; but it is not kind to forestal us in a Work of Fancy, and make our Attention remiss by a previous Account of the End of it.

The next Thing which employ'd my Thoughts was the Heroes Names. It might perhaps take off somewhat from the Majesty of the Poem, had I cast away such noble Sounds as, Physignathus, Lycopinax, and Crambophagus, to substitute Bluff-cheek, Lickdish, and Cabbage-Eater, in their Places. It is for this Reason I have retain'd them