Page:The Poetical Works of Thomas Parnell (1833).djvu/306

178 stiff and sharp, to answer all the uses of a spear in battle. Nor is it here to be lightly passed over, since Zoilus moves a question upon it, that the poet could not choose a more proper weapon for the frogs, than that which they choose for themselves in a defensive war they maintain with the serpents of Nile. They have this stratagem, says Ælian, to protect themselves; they swim with pieces of cane across their mouths, of too great a length for the breadth of the serpents' throats; by which means they are preserved from being swallowed by them. This is a quotation so much to the point, that I ought to have ushered in my author with more pomp to dazzle the reader. Zoilus and his followers, who seldom praise any man, are however careful to do it for their own sakes, if at any time they get an author of their opinion: though indeed it must be allowed, they still have a drawback in their manner of praise, and rather choose to drop the name of their man, or darkly hint him in a periphrasis, than to have it appear that they have directly assisted the perpetuating of any one's memory. Thus, if a Dutch critic were to introduce, for example, Martial, he would, instead of naming him, say Ingeniosus ille Epigrammaticus Bilbilicus. Or, if one of our own were to quote from among ourselves, he would tell us how it has been remarked in the works of a learned writer, to whom the world is obliged for many excellent productions, &c. All which proceeding is like boasting of our