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245 Whom late seduc'd by some deceitful Train
From Land, where subject Mice might help or hear,
Light-foot Pelides King of Frogs has slain,
Nor funeral Wailings[1] can attend his Bier.
Or yield to Death deserv'd your guilty Guide,
250 Or proffer'd War accept: accept, and be defy'd.
From Land, where subject Mice might help or hear,
Light-foot Pelides King of Frogs has slain,
Nor funeral Wailings[1] can attend his Bier.
Or yield to Death deserv'd your guilty Guide,
250 Or proffer'd War accept: accept, and be defy'd.
XXVI.
This spoke, retir'd Embasichytrus bold,
The watry Nation trembled at his Threat,
When strait t' enflame anew their Courage cold,
Light-foot Pelides started from his Seat.
255 No! by this[2] Scepter's sacred Wood I swear,
Hereditary Pledge of Royal Power,
This spoke, retir'd Embasichytrus bold,
The watry Nation trembled at his Threat,
When strait t' enflame anew their Courage cold,
Light-foot Pelides started from his Seat.
255 No! by this[2] Scepter's sacred Wood I swear,
Hereditary Pledge of Royal Power,
- ↑ 248. Nor funeral Wailings.] Repetitions are best when left to the Reader's Pleasure to make whenever he sees occasion, by which he may deserve as much Reputation as the Author himself could have merited by those Flowers; if a long Book must needs be had, 'tis but going over any Part again and again, and the Work is done.
- ↑ v.255. No! by this.] The Scepter was the solemn Oath of Kings; Virgil and Valerias Flaccus imitate Homer in making it so. It poetically acquaints us with the high Descent and hereditary Right of the Heroe.
Which
