THE whole design of this Horatian strain Is so exceeding obvious and plain, That one would wonder how correcting eyes Could overlook a blot of such a size, As @3avidâqae Poreâ;@1 when the line, So read, quite ruins @3Horace's@1 design. He, as the verse begins, and as it ends, This point to rustic @3Phydile@1 commends, That innocence to gifts the gods prefer, And frugal off'rings would suffice from her; That want of victims was in her no fault; She might present fruit, incense, cake, and salt. With what connexion could he add to these A @3greedy swine,@1 in order to appease Those very deities, whom ode is meant To paint with cheap and bloodless gifts content, From pious hands receiv'd, tho' e'er so small?— But @3avidâ Poreâ@1 spoils it all. What moral meant, if they requir'd, in fine, From rustic @3Phydile,@1 a great fat swine? Why little gods and little matters nam'd, If such a sacrifice as this was claim'd? @3Porcâ@1 is wrong, Sirs, whether we regard The gods, the countrywoman, or the bard. What must be done in such a case as this? One must amend, tho' one should do't amiss. I'll tell you the correction, frank and free, That upon reading first occurr'd to me; And seem'd to suit the bard's intention better, With small mutation of the printed letter. Tho' @3avidaque Porca@1 runs along With verb, and case, and measure of the song, Yet, if the poet is to be renown'd For something more, than mere Italian sound, For life and sense, as well as shell and carcass; Read—@3Fruge Lares, avidasque Parcas.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOST ILLUSIONS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON RYTON FIRS by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE THE DINKEY-BIRD by EUGENE FIELD |