Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/54

xxxvi the different and most proper times for Digging, Planting, Pruning, and gathering the Increase. I shall be shorter on this Head, because our Countryman Mr. Sands has, by a laborious Search among the Mythologists, been very full. He has annex'd his Explanations to the end of each Book, which deserve to be recommended to those, that are Curious in this figurative Learning.

The Reader cannot fail of observing, how many excellent Lessons of Morality Ovid has given us in the course of his Fables.

The Story of Deucalion, and Pyrrha teaches, that Piety, and Innocence cannot miss of the divine Protection, and that the only Loss irreparable is that of our Probity, and Justice.

That of Phæton; how the too great Tenderness of the Parent proves a Cruelty to the Child; and that he who would climb to the Seat of Jupiter, generally meets with his Bolt by the way.

The Tale of Baucis and Philemon is most inimitably told. He omits not the minutest Circumstance of a Cottage Life; and is much fuller than Virgil, where he brings in his contented old Man Corycius. G. 4. Ovid represents a good old Couple; happy, and satisfy'd a cleanly Poverty, hospitable, and free of the few things, that Fortune had giv'n them; moderate in Desires; affectionate in their conjugal Relation; so religious in Life, that when they observ'd their homely Cabbin rising to a Temple, all the Bounty