Homer

“ In the occasion of the War between the Frogs and the Mice, we see with what miserable Consequences the generous Credulity of a Prince on one hand abus'd by the Craftiness and Treachery of a Neighbour on the other, is like to be attended. ”

“ With Dragon Feet oppress'd the Mountain-tops:
Rocks pil'd on Rocks, from ruinous Ascents
Crowding they storm'd Heav'n's Sapphir-Battlements,
While the warm Gods bright Vollies fast return'd,
And with vindictive Flames the hissing Æther burn'd. ”

“ For first, it's Ten to One but the great Man catches a Tartar, or provides for a Bantling that is not worth a Clout: Or secondly, if he has reason to be proud of his Purchase, all the Glory and Encomium of the Epistle smells abominably rank of Confederacy and Bargain. Mæcenas but spoils his own Market while he makes a liberal Art a mercenary one; and when the Orator or the Poet is to draw his Picture beyond the Life, he cann't be contented unless he set for't with a Cap and Bells forsooth! ”

“ With quiv'ring Haunches, while at Soul he burns.
He felt his Honour had receiv'd a Wound,
And wish'd but for the sight of solid Ground.
Much he resents his Fate, but more he fears:
Now with stiff Tail he rows, and now he steers. ”

“ The great Distributer of Dues loves to defer his Inflictions as long as his Justice will permit; but when that Period's once expir'd, he sends down both Principal and Interest upon the Heads of the Incorrigible. I confess, the Poet has not intimated so much; nay, has describ'd Jupiter as a malicious Enemy to the Mice. ”

“ Or, shou'd they halt in Rear, our Wings defil'd
Charge 'em behind, and drown each Mother's Child.
So shall one wavy Tomb the Herd embrace,
And with rich Trophees we the Conquest grace.
He say'd; but mist of the propos'd Event,
The conscious Fairies publish'd his Intent.
And now th' applauding Troglodytes adjourn
To seek what Armour best may serve the turn.
As round their little Alps I've often 'spy'd
Industrious Insects Aliment provide;
Here in stretch'd Mouth up steep unequal Ways
A single Slave a single Seed conveys. ”

“ But soon the yielding Clouds receive her Head;
With Noise, and Lies, and Obloquys ne'r cloy'd,
All Ears, all Eyes, all Tongue, and All employ'd,
Alarms th' amphibious People of the Lake:
To Shoar the terrify'd Musicians make. ”

“ Besides as Duty and real Interest are ever inseparable, so particularly in the present Instance it's the Privilege of Your humble Imitators that by doing You Fealty they challenge Your Protection, the very end of Government, when at the same time too our Tribute's but a Peppercorn-rent, make the best on't, and Your Subjects are more beholden to You for accepting, than You to them for paying their Acknowledgments. ”

“ In the first place the Translator wou'd have thee know he never pretended to the Character of a Poet, and as he desires to 'scape the Scandal of the Name, so he will not value himself the more for any good Success, or the less for any Disappointment ”