Page:The Poetical Works of Thomas Parnell (1833).djvu/305

Rh proclaimed upon the appearance of injustice done us, than in their custom of attacking the works of others as soon as they come out, purely because they are esteemed to be good. Their performances, which could derive no merit from their own names, are then sold upon the merit of their antagonist: and if they are so sensible of fame, or even of envy, they have the mortification to remember, how much by this means they become indebted to those they injure.

P. 55. v. 10. Where high the banks.]This project is not put in practice during the following battle, by reason of the fury of the combatants: yet the mention of it is not impertinent in this place, forasmuch as the probable face of success which it carries with it tended to animate the frogs. Zoilus however cannot be so satisfied; It were better, says he, to cut it entirely out; nor would Homer be the worse if half of him were served in the same manner; so, continues he, they will find it, whoever in any country shall hereafter undertake so odd a task, as that of translating him. Thus envy finds words to put in the mouth of ignorance; and the time will come, when ignorance shall repeat what envy has pronounced so rashly.

P. 56. v. 1. And tapering sea-reeds.]If we here take the reed for that of our own growth, it is no spear to match the long sort of needles with which the mice had armed themselves; but the cane, which is rather intended, has its splinters Rh