Page:Homer's Battle of the Frogs and Mice - Parnell (1717).djvu/28

 the Courses of his first Intention, he set Sail for Ægypt.

Ægypt was at this Time govern'd by Ptolomy Philadelphus, a Prince passionately fond of Learning, and learned Men; particularly an Admirer of to Adoration. He had built the finest Library in the World, and made the choicest, as well as most numerous Collection of Books. No Encouragements were wanting from him to allure Men of the brightest Genius to his Court, and no Time thought too much which he spent in their Company. From hence it is that we hear of Eratosthenes and Aristophanes, those universal Scholars, and candid Judges of other Mens Performances: Callimachus, a Poet of the most easy, courteous Delicacy, famous for a Poem on the Cutting of Berenices Hair; and whom Ovid so much admired as to say, "It was Reason enough for him to love a Woman, if she wou'd but tell him he exceeded Callimachus;" Theocritus, the most famous in the Pastoral Way of Writing; And among the young Men, ' and Apollonius Rhodius'', the one of whom prov'd a most judicious Critick, the other a Poet of no mean Character.

These and many more fill'd the Court of that munificent Prince, whose liberal Dispensations of Wealth and Favour became Encouragements to every One to exert their Parts to the utmost; like Streams which flow through different Sorts of Soils, and improve each in that for which it was adapted by Nature.