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BATRACHOMUOMACHIA:
Whose daring Sons, by wild Ambition driv'n,Rent up the Hills, and lifted Earth to Heav'n. At length, the Sov'reign Father smiling said, To whom, ye Gods! will you vouchsafe yur Aid? Then thus to Pallas, wise above the rest, The gracious Being these few Words addrest.
Daughter! to help the Mice dost thou design, Since they for ever haunt thy holy Shrine, Pleas'd with the grateful Scents that constant rife From thy frequented Altar to the Skies?
He ceas'd; and this Reply the Goddess gave: Never shall Pallas lift her Arm to save Th' injurious Race that impudently dareTo vex my Quiet, and augment my Care; That still to spoil my Flow'ry Chaplets strive, And of their Oil the sacred Lamps deprive. Gnaw'd is my Veil (and this afflicts me more Than all I suffer'd from the Thieves before) That Veil, wrought by myself! which seem'd to shine With matchless Skill, and speak the Hand divine.
Nor
