MR DRYDEN TRICKED HIS SUB- I wonder that any man, who could not but be conscious of his own unfitness for it, should go to amuse the learned world with such an undertaking! A man ought to value his reputation more than money; and not to hope that those who can read for themselves will be imposed upon, merely by a partially and unseasonably celebrated name.' Poetis quidlibet audendi shall be Mr Dryden's motto, though it should extend to picking of pockets.2 NAMES BESTOWED ON MR DRYDEN. An Ape.-A crafty ape dressed up in a gaudy gown-whips put into an ape's paw, to play pranks with-none but apish and papish brats will heed him.3 An Ass.-A camel will take upon him no more burden than is sufficient for his strength, but there is another beast that crouches under all.1 A Frog.-Poet Squab endued with Poet Maro's spirit! an ugly croaking kind of vermin, which would swell to the bulk of an ox.5 A Coward.-A Clinias or a Damætas, or a man of Mr Dryden's own courage." A Knave.-Mr Dryden has heard of Paul, the knave of Jesus Christ; and, if I mistake not, I've read somewhere of John Dryden, servant to his Majesty." A Fool.-Had he not been such a self-conceited fool. Some great poets are positive blockheads." A Thing. So little a thing as Mr Dryden.10 1 Milbourn, p. 192.-2 Ibid. p. 125.- Whip and Key, preface.-4 Milbourn, p. 105.Ibid. p. 11.- Ibid. p. 176.-7 Ibid. p. 57.Whip and Key, preface. Milbourn, p. 34. 10 Ibid. p. 35. Lintot, Bernard, i. 40; ii. 53. Laws, William, ii. 413. More, James, ii. 50, &c. Morris, Bezaleel, ii. 126; iii. 168. Mears, William, ii. 125; iii. 28. Mandevil, ii. 414. Morgan, ibid. Montalto, iv. 105. Mummius, an antiquary, iv. 371. Murray, iv. 169. Newcastle, Duchess of, i. 141. Ogilby, John, i. 141, 328. Prynne, William, i. 103. Quarles, Francis, i. 140. Ralph, James, i. 216; iii. 165. Ripley, Thomas, iii. 327. Ridpath, George, i. 208; ii. 149. Roper, Abel, ii. 149. Rich, iii. 261. Tate, i. 105, 238. Theobald, or Tibbald, i. 133, 286. Toland, John, ii. 399; iii. 212. Tonson, Jacob, i. 57; ii. 68. Wynkyn de Worde, i. 149. Ward, Edw. i. 233; iii. 34. Whitfield, ibid. Warner, Thomas, ii. 125. Welsted, Leonard, ii. 207; iii. 170. Wormius, iii. 188. Wasse, iv. 237. Walker, Hat-bearer to Bentley, iv. 206, 273. Wren, Sir C., iii. 329. Young, Ed., ii. 116. END OF POPE'S WORKS. |