Page:Homer's Battle of the Frogs and Mice - Parnell (1717).djvu/82

 53. The circled Loaves.] here finds Fault with the Mention of Loaves, Tripes, Bacon and Cheese, as Words below the Dignity of the Epick, as much, (says he) as it wou'd be to have opprobious Names given in it. By which Expression we easily see, he hints at the First Book of the Iliad. Now, we must consider in Answer, that it is a Mouse which is spoken of, that Eating is the most appearing Characteristick of that Creature, that these Foods are such as please it most; and to have describ'd particular Pleasures for it in any other Way, would have been as incongruous, as to have describ'd a haughty loud Anger without those Names which it throws out in its Fierceness, and which raise it to its Pitch of Phrenzy. In the one Instance you still see a Mouse before you, however the Poet raises it to a Man; in the other you shall see a Man before you; however the Poet raises him to a Demi-God. But some call that low, which others call natural. Every Thing has two Handles, and the Critick who sets himself to censure all he meets, is under an Obligation still to lay hold on the worst of them.

75. But me, nor Stalks.] In this Place laughs at the Ridiculousness of the Poet, who (according to his Representation) makes a Prince refuse an Invitation in Heroicks, because he did not like the Meat he was invited to. And, that the Ridicule may appear in as strong a Light to others as to himself, he puts as much of the Speech as concerns it into Burlesque Airs and