Page:The Poetical Works of Thomas Parnell (1833).djvu/285

sent, to have Zoilus, the utter enemy of Homer, hanged in effigy; and the day being come, it was on this manner they formed the procession. Twelve beautiful boys, lightly habited in white, with purple wings, representing the Hours, went on the foremost: after these came a chariot, exceeding high and stately, where sat one representing Apollo, with another at his feet, who in this pomp sustained the person of Homer: Apollo's laurel had little gilded points, like the appearance of rays between its leaves; Homer's was bound with a blue fillet, like that which is worn by the priests of the deity: Apollo was distinguished by the golden harp he bore; Homer, by a volume, richly beautified with horns of inlaid ivory, and tassels of silver depending from them. Behind these came three chariots, in which rode nine damsels, each of them with that instrument which is proper to each of the Muses; among whom, Calliope, to give her the honour of the day, sate in the middle of the second chariot, known by her richer vestments. After these marched a solemn train aptly habited, like those sciences which acknowledge their rise or improvement from this poet. Then the men of learning who attended the court, with wreaths, and rods or sceptres of laurel, as taking upon themselves the representation of Rhapsodists, to do honour, for the time, to Homer. In the rear of all was slowly drawn along an odd carriage, rather than a chariot, which had its sides artfully turned, and carved so