Page:Homer's Battle of the Frogs and Mice - Parnell (1717).djvu/76

 Being acquainted with a grave Gentleman who searches after Editions, purchases Manuscripts, and collects Copies, I apply'd to him for some Editions of this Poem, which he readily oblig'd me with. But, added he, taking down a Paper, I doubt I shall discourage you from your Translation, when I show this Work, which is written upon the Original, by, the famous Adversary of author:Homer. ! said I with Surprize, I thought his Works had long since perish'd. They have so, answer'd he, all, except this little Piece, which has a annex'd to it accounting for its Preservation. It seems, when he parted from Macedon, he left this behind him where he lodg'd, and where no one enter'd for a long Time, in Detestation of the Odiousness of his Character, 'till Mævius arriving there in his Travels, and being desirous to lie in the same Room, luckily found it, and brought it away with him. This the Author of the imagins the Reason of Horace's wishing Mævius in the 10th Epode, such a Shipwrack as  describes; as it were with an Eye to his having done something disadvantageous to that Poet. From Mævius, the Piece came into the Hand of Carbilius Pictor, (who, when he wrote against Virgil, call'd his Book, with a respectful Imitation of, the Æneidomastix) and from him into the Hands of others who are unknown, because the World apply'd to them no other Name than that of , in Order to sink their own in