Page:Homer's Battle of the Frogs and Mice - Parnell (1717).djvu/83

 Expressions. This is indeed a common Trick with Remarkers, which they either practice by Precedent from their Master, or are beholding for it to the same Turn of Temper. We acknowledge it a fine Piece of Satyr, when there is Folly in a Passage, to lay it open in the Way by which it naturally requires to be expos'd: Do this handsomely, and the Author is deservedly a Jest. If, on the contrary, you dress a Passage which was not originally foolish, in the highest Humour of Ridicule, you only frame something which the Author himself might laugh at, without being more nearly concern'd than another Reader.

103. So pass'd Europa.] This Simile makes, who sets up for a profess'd Enemy of Fables, to exclaim violently. We had, says he, ''a Frog and a Mouse hitherto, and now we get a Bull and a Princess to illustrate their Actions: When will there be an End of this Fabling-Folly and Poetry, which I value my self for being unacquainted with? O great Polycrates, how happily hast thou observ'd in thy Accusation against Socrates, That whatever he was before, he deserv'd his Poison when he began to make Verses!'' Now, if the Question be concerning good or bad Poetry, this is an unqualifying Speech, which affords his Friends just Grounds of Exception against the Critick. Wherefore, be it known to all present and future Censors, who have, or shall presume to glory in an Ignorance of Poetry, and at the same Time take upon them to judge of Poets, that they are in all