And Boileau ftill in right of Horace (ways. 715 But we, brave Britons, foreign laws despis'd, 720 725 COMMENTARY. VER. 724. Such was the Muse -) Essay on Poetry by the Duke of Buckingham. Our Poet is not the only one of his time who complimented this Essay, and its noble Author. Mr. Dryden had done it very largely in the Dedication to his tranflation of the Eneid; and Dr. Garth in the first Edition of his Dispensary fays, The Tyber now no courtly Gallus fees, But fmiling Thames enjoys his Normanbys. Tho' afterwards omitted, when parties were carried fo high in the reign of Queen Anne, as to allow no commendation to an oppofite in Politics. The Duke was all his life a fteady adherent to the Church of England - Party, yet an Enemy to the extravagant measures of the Court in the reign of Charles II. On which account, after having ftrongly patronized Mr. Dryden, a coolness fucceeded between them on that poet's abfolute attachment to the Court, which carried him fome lengths beyond what the Duke could approve of. This nobleman's true character had been very well marked by Mr. Dryden before, The Mufe's friend, Himself a Mufe. In Sanadrin's debate True to his prince, but not a flave of ftate. Abf and Achit. Our Author was more happy, he was honoured very young with his friendf hip, and it continued till his death in all the circumftances of a familiar efteem. Such was Rofcommon, not more learn'd than good, 731 Such late was Walfh-the Mufe's judge and friend, Still pleas'd to praife, yet not afraid to blame; Averfe alike to flatter, or offend ; 739 Not free from faults, nor yet too vain to mend. 745 |