Page:Homer's Battle of the Frogs and Mice - Parnell (1717).djvu/85

 is positive, That nothing shou'd be done by any one, without having been hinted at in some previous Account of him. And this he asserts, without any Allowance made either for a Change of States, or the Design of the Gods. To confirm this Observation, he strengthens it with a Quotation out of his larger Work on the Iliads, where he has these Words upon the Death of Hector: How foolish is it in to make Hector (who thro' the whole Course of the Iliad had made Use of Helenus, to learn the Will of the Gods) ''become a Prophet just at his Death? Let every one be what he ought, without falling into those Parts which others are to sustain in a Poem''. This he has said, not distinguishing rightly between our natural Dispositions and accidental Offices. And this he has said again, not minding, that tho' it be taken from another Book, it is still from the same Author. However, Vanity loves to gratify itself by the Repetition of what it esteems to be written with Spirit, and even when we repeat it our selves, provided another hears us. Hence has he been follow'd by a Magisterial Set of Men who quote themselves, and swell their new Performances with what they admire in their former Treatises. This is a most extraordinary Knack of Arguing, whereby a Man can never want a Proof, if he be allow'd to become an Authority for his own Opinion.

146. And no kind Billow.] How impertinent is this Case of Pity, says, to bemoan, that the Prince was not toss'd towards Land: It is enough