Page:Homer's Battle of the Frogs and Mice - Parnell (1717).djvu/92

 Kind of Air, takes gravely to Pieces; and affirms, It is below Jupiters Wisdom, and only agreeable with s Folly, that he shou'd borrow a Reason for her assisting the Mice from their Attendance in the Temple, when they waited to prey upon those Things which were sacred to her. But the Air of the Speech rendering a grave Answer unnecessary; I shall only offer an Observation in Return for his. There are upon the Stone that is carv'd for the Apotheosis of, Figures of Mice by his Footstool, which, according to Cuperus, its Interpreters, some have taken to signify this Poem; and others those Criticks, who tear or vilify the Works of great Men. Now, if such can be compar'd to Mice, let the Words of be brought home to himself and his Followers for their Mortification: That no one ought to think of meriting in the State of Learning only by debasing the best Performances, and as it were preying upon those Things which shou'd be sacred in it.

II. 105. In vain my Father.] The Speech of Pallas is dislik'd by, because it makes the Goddess carry a Resentment against such inconsiderable Creatures; tho' he ought to esteem them otherwise when they represent the Persons and Actions of Men, and teach us how the Gods disregard those in their Adversities who provoke them in Prosperity. But, if we consider Pallas as the Patroness of Learning, we may by an allegorical Application of the Mice and Frogs, find in this Speech two Sorts of Enemies to Learning; they