Θεὸς δ' ὥς τίετο δήμω.Ibid. p. 158.[233]

Ulisses in his return from Troy, took Ismarus by Storm, and makes Prize of the whole Town, excepting Maron, and his Family. This Maron was Apollo's Priest, and preserv'd out of respect to his Function: He presents Ulisses nobly in Gold, Plate, and Wine; And this Hero makes an honourable Mention of him, both as to his Quality, and way of Living.Odyss. I p. 174, 181.[234]

These are all the Priests I find Mentioned in Homer; And we see how fairly the Poet treats them, and what sort of Figure they made in the World.

To the Testimony of Homer, I shall joyn that of Virgil, who tho' He follows at a great distance of Time, was an Author of the first Rank, and wrote the same kind of Poetry with the other. Now Virgil tho' he is very extraordinary in his Genius, in the Compass of his Learning, in the Musick and Majesty of his Stile; yet the exactness of his Judgment seems to be his peculiar, and most distinguishing Talent. He had the truest Relish imaginable, and always described Things according to Nature, Custom, and Decency. He wrote with the greatest Command of Temper, and Superiority of good Sense. He is never lost in smoak and Rapture, nor overborn with Poetick Fury; but keeps his Fancy warm and his Reason Cool at the same time. Now this great Master of Propriety never Mentions any Priests without some Marks of Advantage. To give some Instances as they lie in Order.

When the Trojans were consulting what was to be done with the Wooden-Horse, and some were for lodging it within the Walls; Laocoon appears against this Opinion at the Head of a numerous Party, harangues with a great deal of Sense, and Resolution, and examines the Machine with his Lance. In fine, He advised so well, and went so far in the Discovery of the Stratagem; that if the Trojans had not been ungovernable, and as it were stupified by Fate and Folly, he had saved the Town.Ænid. 2.[235]

Trojaque nunc stares Priamique arx alta maneres.

This Laocoon was Neptunes Priest, and either Son to Priam, or Brother to Anchises, who was of the Royal Family.Ruaus. in Loc.[236] The next we meet with is Pantheus Apollo's Priest. He is call'd Pantheus Otriades, which is an argument his Father was well known. His acquaintance with Æneas to whose House he was carrying his little Grandson, argues him to be a Person of Condition.Æneid 2.[237] Pantheus after a short relation of the Posture of Affairs, joyns Æneas's little Handful of Men, charges in with him when the Town was seiz'd, and fired, and at last dies Handsomly in the Action.Ibid.[238]

The next is Anius King of Delos, Prince and Priest in one Person.

Rex Anius, rex idem hominum Phœbique Sacerdos.Æneid. 3.[239]

When Æneas was outed at Troy, and in quest of a new Country, he came to an Anchor at Delos; Anius meets him in a Religious Habit, receives him civilly, and obliges him with his Oracle.Ibid.[240] In the Book now Mention'd we have another of Apollo's Priests, his name is Helenus, Son of Priam and King of Chaonia. He entertains Æneas with a great deal of Friendship, and Magnificence, gives him many material Directions, and makes him a rich Present at parting. To this Prince if you Please we may joyn a Princess of the same Profession; and that is Rhea Silvia Daughter to Numitor King of Alba, and Mother to Romulus, and Remus. This Lady Virgil calls——regina Sacerdos a Royal Priestess.Ænead. 1st.[241] Farther. When Æneas made a Visit upon Business to the shades Below, He had for his Guide, the famous Sibylla Cumæa, who Belong'd to Apollo.Æn. 6.[242] When he came thither amongst the rest of his Acquantance he saw Polybætes a Priest of Ceres. This Polybætes is mention'd with the three Sons of Antenor, with Glaucus, and Thersilochus, who Commanded in Cheif in the Trojan Auxiliaries: So that you may know his Quality by his Company. When Æneas had passed on farther, he saw Orpheus in Elysium: The Poet calls him the Thracian Priest. There needs not be much said of Orpheus; He is famous for his skill in Musick, Poetry, and Religious Ceremonies,Ibid.[243] He was one of the Hero's of Antiquity, and a principal Adventurer in the Expedition for the Golden-Fleece.