A very nice Judge of the merits of Men, is contented to compare to Alexander, the man whom he thought worthy of the highest character: he durst not attribute to him greater qualities, but took away from him the bad: magno illi Alexandro, sed sobrio neque iracundo simillimus[1].
Perhaps these considerations influenc'd our Author in some measure: perhaps, to make Porus the greater man, without diving into fables, he thought it convenient to lessen his Alexander. If that was his design, 'tis impossible for him to have executed it better; for he has made him so moderate a Prince, that a hundred others may be preferred to him, as well as Porus. Not but that Hephestion gives us a fine idea of him; that Taxilus and Porus himself, speak advantageously enough of his greatness: but when he appears himself, he has not force enough to sustain it; unless, out of modesty, he has a mind to appear an ordinary Man amongst the Indians, in a just repentance, for having been ambitious to pass for a God amongst the Persians. To speak seriously, I can here discern nothing of Alexander, but his bare name; his Genius, his Humour, his Qualities, appear to me no where. I expect to find in an impetuous Hero such extraordinary motions, as should excite my passion; but I find a Prince of so little spirit, that he makes no manner of impression upon me. I imagin'd to find in Porus, a greatness of soul, which would be somewhat more surprizing to us; an Indian Hero should have a different character from one of ours. Another Heaven, if I may so speak, another Sun, and another Earth, produce other Animals, and other Fruits: the Men seem to be of another make, by the difference of their faces, and still more, if I dare say so, by a distinction of
- ↑ Velleius Paterculus, meaning Cesar. Hist. Lib. II. cap. 41.
