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to assure you, that nothing relating to the public shall stand without your permission: for it were to want common sense to desire your patronage, and resolve to disoblige you: and as I will not hazard my hopes of your protection, by refusing to obey you in anything I can perform with my conscience and my honour, so I am very confident you will never impose any other terms on me.My thoughts at present are fixed on Homer: and by my translation of the first Iliad, I find him a poet more according to my genius than Virgil, and consequently hope I may do him more justice, in his fiery way of writing; which, as it is liable to more faults, so it is capable of more beauties than the exactness and sobriety of Virgil. Since 'tis for my country's honour as well as for my own, that I undertake this task, I despair not of being encouraged in it by your favour, who am, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN DRYDEN.

JOHN DRYDEN TO MRS. STEWARD.

Nov. 7th, 1699.

MADAM, EVEN your expostulations are pleasing to me; for though they show you angry, yet they are not without many expressions of your kindness; and therefore I am proud to be so chidden. Yet I cannot so far abandon my own defence, as to confess any idleness or forgetfulness on my part. What has hindered me from writing to you, was neither ill health, nor a worse thing, ingrati

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corrected with so much care, that they will now be worthy of his sight, and do neither of us any dishonour after our death.

There is this day to be acted a new tragedy, made by Mr. Hopkins, and, as I believe, in rhyme. He has formerly written a play in verse, called Boadicea, which you fair ladies liked; and is a poet who writes good verses without knowing how or why; I mean, he writes naturally well, without art, or learning, or good sense. Congreve is ill of the gout at Barnet Wells. I have had the honour of a visit from the earl of Dorset, and dined with him.-Matters in Scotland are in a high ferment, and next door to a breach betwixt the two nations; but they say from court, that France and we are hand and glove. 'Tis thought the king will endeavour to keep up a standing army, and make the stir in Scotland his pretence for it: my cousin Dryden, and the country party, I suppose will be against it; for when a spirit is raised, 'tis hard conjuring him down again.-You see I am dull by my writing news; but it may be, my cousin Creed may be glad to hear what I believe is true, though not very pleasing. I hope he recovers health in the country, by his staying so long in it. My service to my cousin Steward and all at Oundle. I am, fair cousin, your most obedient servant,

JOHN DRYDEN.

VOL. V.

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