the League," there is an extract given, which may be advantageously read along with the Duke of Guise, and the Vindication of that play. The prefaces and dedications are, of course, prefixed to the pieces to which they belong; but those who mean to study them with reference to theatrical criticism, will do well to follow the order recommended by Mr Malone. *

Several pieces published in Derrick's edition of Dryden's poetry, being obviously spurious, are here published separately from his authentic poetry, and with a suitable note of suspicion prefixed to each. They might indeed have been altogether dis

* Which is, the Essay of Dramatic Poesy, the Defence of that Essay, the Preface to the Mock Astrologer, the Essay on Heroic Plays, the Defence of the Epilogue to the Second Part of the Conquest of Granada, the Grounds of Criticism in Tragedy, and the Answer to Rymer.

carded without diminishing the value of the work. Some account might be here given of the various editions of Dryden's poems; but notices of this kind have been liberally scattered through the Life and preliminary matter.

Upon the whole, it is hoped, that as the following is the first complete edition of the Works of Dryden, it will be found, in accuracy of text and copiousness of illustration, not altogether unworthy of the time, labour, and expence which have been ungrudgingly bestowed upon an object, so important to English literature.

CONTENTS

OF

VOLUME FIRST.

The Life of John Dryden

SECT. I. Preliminary remarks on the Poetry

of England before the Civil Wars-The

Life of Dryden from his Birth till the Re-

storation-His Early Poems, including the

Annus Mirabilis,

SECT. II. Revival of the Drama at the Re-

storation-Heroic Plays-Comedies of In-

trigue-Commencement of Dryden's Dra-

matic Career-The Wild Gallant-Rival

Ladies-Indian Queen and Emperor-

Dryden's Marriage-Essay on Dramatic

Poetry, and subsequent Controversy with

Sir Robert Howard-The Maiden Queen

-The Tempest-Sir Martin Mar-all-The

Mock Astrologer-The Royal Martyr-

The two Parts of the Conquest of Grana-

da-Dryden's situation at this period

7

SECT. III. Heroic Plays-The Rehearsal-

Marriage A-la-mode-The Assignation—

Controversy with Clifford-with Leigh-

with Ravenscroft-Massacre of Amboyna

-State of Innocence

SECT. IV. Dryden's controversy with Settle-

with Rochester-he is assaulted in Rose-

street-Aureng-Zebe-Dryden meditates

an Epic Poem-All for Love-Limberham

-Edipus-Troilus and Cressida-The Spa-

nish Friar-Dryden supposed to be in op-

position to the Court.

SECT. V. Dryden engages in Politics-Absa-

lom and Achitophel, Part First-The Me-

dal-Mac-Flecknoe Absalom and Achi-

tophel, Part Second-The Duke of Guise,

SECT. VI. Threnodia Augustalis-Albion and

Albanius-Dryden becomes a Catholic-

The Controversy of Dryden with Stilling-

fleet The Hind and Panther-Life of St

Francis Xavier-Consequences of the Re-

volution to Dryden-Don Sebastian-King

Arthur-Cleomenes-Love Triumphant, .

SECT. VII. State of Dryden's Connections in

Society after the Revolution-Juvenal and

Persius-Smaller Pieces-Eleanora Third

Miscellany-Virgil-Ode to St Cecilia-

Dispute with Milbourne-With Black-

more-Fables-The Author's Death and

Funeral-His Private Character-Notices

of his Family,.

SECT, VIII. The State of Dryden's Reputa-
tion at his Death, and afterwards-The ge-

PAGE.

118

180

239

298

369