Obfcure? Why pr'ythee what am I? I know I can but guefs beyond the fourth degree. Were fons of earth, like him, or fons of whores. But take it as it is, and afk no more. I What, when thou haft embezzel'd all thy ftore? Nor tell me, in a dying father's tone, Is not my fortune at my own command ? With fodden nettles, and a fing'd fow's head ? 3 Shou'dft thou demand of me my torch, &c. Why fhou'dft thou, who art an old fellow, hope to out-live me, and be my heir, who am much younger? He who was firft, in the courfe, or race, delivered the torch, which he carried, to him who was fecond. 'Tis holiday; provide me better cheer; Truck wares for wares, and trudge from pole to pole: } Weil fed and fat as Cappadocian flaves: Who were famous, for their luftinefs; and being, as we call it, in good liking. They were fet on a ftail when they were expofed to fale, to fhew the good habit of their body, and made to play tricks before the buyers, to fhew their activity and strength. 5 Then Jay, Chryfippus, &c. Chryfippus the ftoick invented a kind of argument, confifting of more than three propofitions; which is called Sorites, or a heap. But as Chryfippus could never bring his propofitions to a certain ftint; fo neither can a covetous man bring his craving defires to any certain measure of riches, beyond which, he could not wish for any more. TRANS THE FIRST BOOK. O F HOMER's ILIAS. THE ARGUMENT. Chryfes, prieft of Apollo, brings prefents to the Grecian princes, to ranfom his daughter Chryfeis, who was prifoner in the fleet. Agamemnon, the general, whofe captive and miftrefs the young lady was, refufes to deliver, threatens the venerable old man, and dismisses him with contumely. The |