Page:Homer's Battle of the Frogs and Mice - Parnell (1717).djvu/25

 Od. 10. He derides the Men who were turn'd into Swine, and calls them poor little blubbering Pigs. The first five of these Remarks are found in Didymus, the last in Longinus.

Such as these are the cold Jests and trifling Quarrels, which have been registred from a Composition that (according to the Representation handed down to us) was born in Envy, liv'd a short Life in Contempt, and lies for ever bury'd with Infamy.

But, as his Design was judg'd by himself wonderfully well accomplish'd, Macedon began to be esteem'd a Stage too narrow for his Glory; and Ægypt, which had then taken Learning into its Patronage, the proper Place where it ought to diffuse its Beams, to the Surprize of all whom he wou'd perswade to reckon themselves hitherto in the Dark, and under the Prejudices of a false Admiration. However as he had prepar'd himself for the Journey, he was suddenly diverted for a while by the Rumour of the Olympick Games, which were at that Time to be celebrated. Thither he steer'd his Course full of the Memory of Herodotus, and others who had successfully recited in that large Assembly; and pleas'd to imagine he shou'd alter all Greece in their Notions of Wit before he left it.

Upon his Arrival, he found the Field in its Preparation for Diversion. The Chariots stood for the Race, carv'd and gilded, the Horses were led in costly Trappings, some practis'd to wrestle,