For those that have served other men, haply may injure by their evils;
Or otherwise may hinder by their glories; therefore, set him by himself,
To win for his individual name some clear specific praise.
There were nine Homers, all goodly sons of song, but where is any record of the eight?
One grew to fame, an Aaron's rod, and swallowed up his brethren:
Who knoweth? more distinctly titled, those dead eight had lived;
But the censers were ranged in a circle to mingle their sweets without a difference.
Art thou named of a common crowd, and sensible of high aspirings?
It is hard for thee to rise,—yet strive: thou mayest be among them a Musæus.
Art thou named of a family, the same in successive generations?