Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/55

Rh Bounty they ask'd of the Gods they had entertain'd, was, that they might do the Office of Priesthood there; and at their Death, not survive one another.

The Stories of Lycaon, and Pentheus, not only deter from Infidelity, and Irreverence to the Gods; but the last also shows, that too great Zeal produces the same Effects, as none at all; and that Enthusiasm is often more cruel, than Atheism.

The Story of Minos, and Scylla represents the Infamy of selling our Country; and teaches, that even they who love the Crime, abhor the Criminal.

In Cippus we find a noble Magnanimity, and Heavenly Self-denial; he preferred the Good of the Republick to his own private Grandeur; and chose with an exemplary Generosity, rather to live a private Free-Man out of Rome, than to command Numbers of Slaves in it.

From the Story of Hercules we learn, that Glory is a Lady, who, like many others, loves to have her Admirers suffer a great deal for her. The Poet enumerates the Labours of the Heroe; shows how he conquer'd every thing for others, but nothing for himself: Then does him the Poetical Justice of an Apotheosis; thinking it most fit that one, who had born the Celestial Orbs on his Shoulders, should have a Mansion amongst them.

From the Assumption of Romulus; that when War was at an end, the chief Business of Peace should