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My Steps with hostile ken Grimalkin eyes,
70 At me, with Talons arm'd, the Bird of Pallas flies.
70 At me, with Talons arm'd, the Bird of Pallas flies.
VIII.
Grimalkin most, so Jove ordains,[1] I fear,
Of Elimouser[2] fierce the fiercer Son,
Whose Malice ever watchful, ever near,
Retir'd to chinky Labyrinths I shun.
75 Impervious Creeks secure Retreat afford.
Your foreign Fare incurious I despise,
The watry Radish, and th' insipid Gourd,
And tastless Greens, which Frogs amphibious prize,
Grimalkin most, so Jove ordains,[1] I fear,
Of Elimouser[2] fierce the fiercer Son,
Whose Malice ever watchful, ever near,
Retir'd to chinky Labyrinths I shun.
75 Impervious Creeks secure Retreat afford.
Your foreign Fare incurious I despise,
The watry Radish, and th' insipid Gourd,
And tastless Greens, which Frogs amphibious prize,
- ↑ v. 71. So Jove ordains.] Innumerable are the Instances of Warrior's charging their Fears upon the Gods, nothing less than immortals should ever stop a Diomede or Ajax.
The like Excuse is used even by the Gods themselves, in favour of Offenders,Non tibi Tyndaridis facies invisa Lacænæ,
Culpatusue Paris. - ↑ v. 72. Elimouser.] The Word Cat being very familiar, is avoided as too low. It is requisite also to inform the Curious, that not only Elimouser himself, but his Son Grimalkin was of that Species; for without this Caution, he might be thought of a different kind, which is very frequent in Poetry, witness Jupiter and his Offspring Sarpedon, and many others.
Danger
