Page:Monsieur Bossu's Treatise of the epick poem - Le Bossu (1695).djvu/89

Book I. thing that Story or the Poets ever said of Achilles. He might begin after the same manner, as Statius did his Achilleid:

"Inspire me, O my Muse, what I ought to say concerning the Magnanimous Meridarpax, which Jove himself cannot look upon without trembling. Homer indeed has celebrated some of his Actions in his Poem; but there are a great many still untouch'd; and I am resolved to omit nothing that my Hero has done."

He, as well as Achilles, had a Mortal for his Sire, to wit, the Redoubted Artepibulus, and a Mother far above his Rank and Quality, no less than a lofty Mountain. His Birth is foretold by the Oracles, and the People Hocking together from all parts to be Witnesses of this miraculous Labour, beheld Meridarpax creep out of his Mothers Belly, with so much Surprize and Delight, that their joyful Shouts and loud Laughter carried the News thereof to the Gods.

In the War his Associates maintain'd against the Amazonians of the Lakes, he signaliz'd himself in the Death of Physignathus. He would have utterly destroy'd all his Enemies, had not the Gods put a stop to his Designs.

To refresh himself after the Fatigues of this War, he was for taking the Air in some Country-Seat or other. But by the way he is surprized by a furious Lion, who is just ready to tear him to pieces: but Meridarpax was no less eloquent than stout. The Lion admir'd his parts, and let him go.

He was welcom'd in the Country by an old Friend of his Sire's. This Villager thought of making him a delicate Repast with his Country-Fare: but these old, dry, and unsavoury Morsels would not down with our nice Stranger. Whereupon bepitying the sorry Life of his Friend, he invites him to a more pleasant one, and prevail'd upon him to jog along with him.

They were scarce got half-way to their Journey's end, but they heard a most terrible noise. Meridarpax perceiv'd 'twas the Lion's Roar which before had spar'd his Life. He made that way, and in short found him so fetter'd in the Noose, that he expected nothing else but Death: the Mouse freed him from that fear, by gnawing asunder several Knots; and put the Prisoner in a Capacity of freeing himself from the rest.

Meridarpax re-joyns his Country-Friend, conducts him to Town, and receives him very splendidly in a Pantry well furnish'd. This new Citizen was blessing himself at his happy Change; when on the sudden in steps the Housekeeper, and at her Heels one of the most formidable Enemies these two Guests had. The Domestick betook himself presently to his Cittadel: but the poor Stranger, seiz'd with Fear, and every Limb about him in an Ague, sees himself a long time expos'd to the Claws of a merciless Enemy. In