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LXVIII.
As from a victim[1] Bull the sever'd Meat,
To broil by Waiters on the Coals is lain,
Their Eyes devour the Food. They fasting yet
Impatient, turn the Steak, and turn again.
675 So now with disappointed Jove it far'd,
From Thought to Thought, from Place to Place he flies.
His Bolt[2] he trusts not, nor ætherial Guard,
For Barrier to the Frogs, his high Allies
He calls: Sight more prodigious ne'er was shown
680 On Earth, that bears all Fruits, or Sea producing none.
As from a victim[1] Bull the sever'd Meat,
To broil by Waiters on the Coals is lain,
Their Eyes devour the Food. They fasting yet
Impatient, turn the Steak, and turn again.
675 So now with disappointed Jove it far'd,
From Thought to Thought, from Place to Place he flies.
His Bolt[2] he trusts not, nor ætherial Guard,
For Barrier to the Frogs, his high Allies
He calls: Sight more prodigious ne'er was shown
680 On Earth, that bears all Fruits, or Sea producing none.
- ↑ v. 971. As from a Victim.] To judge rightly of Comparisons, we are not to examine if the Subjects from whence they are deriv'd, be great or little, noble or familiar, but if the Image produc'd be clear and lively.
- ↑ v. 677. His Bolt.] Homer's Allegory is not to be accounted for without a deep Insight into the Egyptian and Hieroglyphical Learning. Tho' his best Translator affirms he probably us'd old Traditions as Embellishments of Poetry only, neither taking care to explain them to the Reader, nor perhaps diving into their mystick Meanings himself. Yet the best Critick upon him says, These Tales, unless taken allegorically, are entirely Atheistical, and contrary to Decency. A celebrated Author blames Spencer for making his Moral too obvious, a Fault which the most malicious Carper can never charge Homer with. A far greater Genius is requisite to understand his Fables, than open Morality has need of. It requires much stronger Teeth to crack the Shell than to eat the Kernel.
LXIX.
