Page:Monsieur Bossu's Treatise of the epick poem - Le Bossu (1695).djvu/88

44 Idea I have of this Design better, than by comparing it with the Fables of Æsop. I have already compar'd the Iliad with one of these Fables: and sure I may take the same liberty in a Poem that is less Regular; and make a Comparison between the Achilleid which comprehends several Actions under one and the same Name, and several Fables which likewise go under one Name. Homer and Virgil diverted themselves with their Poems of the Gnat, and of the Battel between the Frogs and the Mice: nor shall I stoop lower, when, upon the like occasion, I shall enlarge my self as far as the Design of Statius, and the Necessity of this Doctrine require me.

Let us suppose then and Author, who is as well vers'd in the Fables of Æsop, as Statius was in the Epick Fable; and who has read the Batrachomyomachia, as well as Statius has the Iliad. He shall have discover'd in this Battel between the Mice and the Frogs, the great Commendations which Homer bestows on the Valour of one of the Heroes in this Fable, upon Meridarpax for instance; whose Bravery made Jove and all the Gods wonder no less, than that of Capaneus in the Thebaid. And as Statius has read of several Actions of Achilles, which are not in the Iliad; this Author likewise shall have read of many Adventures attributed to the Mouse, which are not in the Batrachomyomachia of Homer.

He shall know what passed between the City-Mouse and the Country-Mouse; in order to teach us, That a little Estate enjoy'd quietly is better than a copious one, that exposes us to continual fears.

He shall know that a Lion having spared the Life of a Mouse, was afterwards saved by this very Mouse, who gnaw'd assunder the Toils in which he was caught; whereby he might inform us, That the good Offices we do to the most Infirm and Ignoble, are not always lost.

He shall know the Story of the Mountains, which after great Groans, and much ado, were deliver'd of a Mouse; like those who promise much, but perform little.

He shall have read in the Battel between the Cats and the Mice, that the Mice being defeated and put to flight, those amongst 'em, who had put Horns upon their Heads as a distinguishing Note of their being the Commanders, could not get into their Holes again, and so were all cut off: Because in the like Disorders, the Chief Leaders, and Men of Note, do commonly pay Sawce for all.

And upon these Discoveries, when he has conceiv'd the Idea of a Piece more surprizing than the Batrachomyomachia, or than any other particular Fable of Æsop, he shall undertake a Poem of all the Fables of the Mouse: as Statius undertook one about every