-Not I, indeed. Genealogy is not my science. If you should
claim to descend in a direct line from King Midas I would not dispute it.

_Virgil_.--I wonder, Scaliger, that you stooped to so low an ambition.
Was it not greater to reign over all Mount Parnassus than over a petty
state in Italy?

_Scaliger_.--You say well. I was too condescending to the prejudices of
vulgar opinion. The ignorant multitude imagine that a prince is a
greater man than a critic. Their folly made me desire to claim kindred
with the Scalas of Verona.

_Horace_.--Pray, Mercury, how do you intend to dispose of this august
person? You can't think it proper to let him remain with us. He must be
placed with the demigods; he must go to Olympus.

_Mercury_.--Be not afraid. He shall not trouble you long. I brought him
hither to divert you with the sight of an animal you never had seen, and
myself with your surprise. He is the chief of all the modern critics,
the most renowned captain of that numerous and dreadful band. Whatever
you may think of him, I can seriously assure you that before he went mad
he had good parts and great learning. But I will now explain to you the
original cause of the absurdities he has uttered. His mind was formed in
such a manner that, like some perspective glasses, it either diminished
or magnified all objects too much; but, above all others, it magnified
the good man to himself. This made him so proud that it turned his
brain. Now I have had my sport with him, I think it will be charity to
restore him to his senses, or rather to bestow what Nature denied him--a
sound judgment. Come hither, Scaliger. By this touch of my Caduceus I
give thee power to see things as they are, and, among others, thyself.
Look, gentlemen, how his countenance is fallen in a moment! Hear what he
says. He is talking to himself.

_Scaliger_.--Bless me! with what persons have I been discoursing? With
Virgil and Horace! How could I venture to open my lips in their
presence? Good Mercury, I beseech you let me retire from a company for
which I am very unfit. Let me go and hide my head in the deepest shade
of that grove which I see in the valley. After I have performed a
penance there, I will crawl on my knees to the feet of those illustrious
shades, and beg them to see me burn my impertinent books of criticism in
the fiery billows of Phlegethon with my own hands.

_Mercury_.--They will both receive thee into favour. This mortifi