Page:Homer's Battle of the Frogs and Mice - Parnell (1717).djvu/26

 some to dart the Spear, (or whatever they design'd to engage at) in a Kind of Flourish beforehand: Others were looking on to amuse themselves; and all gaily dress'd according to the Custom of those Places. Through these did move forward, bald-headed, bearded to the Middle, in a long sad-colour'd Vestment, and inflexibly stretching forth his Hands fill'd with Volumns roll'd up to a vast Thickness: a Figure most venerably slovenly! able to demand Attention upon Account of its Oddness. And indeed, he had no sooner fix'd himself upon an Eminence, but a Crowd flock'd about him to know what he intended. Then the Critick casting his Eyes on the Ring, open'd his Volume slowly, as considering with what Part he might most properly entertain his Audience. It happen'd, that the Games at Patroclus's Obsequies came first into his Thought; whether it was that he judg'd it suitable to the Place, or knew that he had fall'n as well upon the Games themselves, as upon for celebrating them, and cou'd not resist his natural Disposition to give Mankind Offence. Every One was now intently fasten'd upon him, while he undertook to prove, that those Games signify'd nothing to the Taking of Troy, and therefore only furnish'd an impertinent Episode: that the Fall of the Lesser Ajax in Cow-dung, the Squabble of the Chariot-Race, and other Accidents which attend such Sports, are mean or trifling: and a World of other Remarks, for