_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.[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.[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.[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.[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.[238] The next is _Anius_ King of _Delos_, Prince and _Priest_ in one Person. _Rex Anius, rex idem hominum Phoebique Sacerdos._[239]