Accurs'd be thou Grass-eating fodderd God!
Accurs'd thy Temple! more accurs'd thy Priests!p. 32.[215]
She goes on in a mighty Huff, and charges the Gods and Priesthood with Confederacy, and Imposture, This Rant is very unlikely at Alexandria. No People are more bigotted in their Superstition than the Ægyptians; Nor any more resenting of such an Affront. This Satyr then must be strangely out of Fashion, and probability. No matter for that; it may work by way of Inference, and be serviceable at Home. And 'tis a handsom Compliment to Libertines and Atheists.
We have much such another swaggering against Priests in Oedipus.
Why seek I Truth from thee?
The smiles of Courtiers and the Harlots tears,
The Tradesmens Oaths, and Mourning of an Heir,
Are Truths to what Priests tell.
O why has Priesthood privilege to Lie,
And yet to be believ'd!Oedip. p. 38.[216]