quoted in Conversation, than the finest Pieces of Wit in Heroic Poetry. As for the Double Rhimes, we have Mr. Dryden's Authority, (ibid. p. 128.) that they are neceffary Companions of Burlesque Writing. Befides, were they really Faults, they are neither fo many as to caft a blemish upon the known Excellences of this Poem; nor yet folely, to captivate the Affections of the generality of it's Readers: no; their Admiration is moved by a higher Pleasure, than the meer Jingle of Words; the Sublimity of Wit, and Pungency of Satire, claim our Regard, and merit our highest Applaufe: In short, the Poet has furprizingly dif played the nobleft Thoughts in a Dress so humorous and comical, that it is no wonder, that it foon became the chief Entertainment of the King and Court, after it's publication; was highly esteemed by one of the greatest Wits in that Reign; and ftill continues to be an Entertainment to all, who have a Taste for the most refined Ridicule and Satire. e The Earl of Rochefter feem'd to fet a high value upon His appro bation. Hor. Sat. 10. imitated. fee Works of Lord Rochester and Rofcommon, 2a edit. 1707. p. 25. and Gen. Hift. Di&t. vol. 6. p. 295. I loath the Rabble, 'tis enough for me If Sidley, Shadwell, Sheppard, Wycherly, Hudibras is then an indisputable Original; for the Poet trod in a Path wherein he had no Guide, nor has he had many Followers. Though he had no Pattern, yet he had the Art of erecting himfelf into a Standard, lofty and elegant. Numberless Imitators have been unwarily drawn after it: his Method and Verse he has chofen, at first view feeming fo eafy and inviting, they were readily lifted into the view of his Fame: but alas! how miferably have they failed in the Attempt. Such wretched Imitations have augmented the Fame of the Original, and evidenc'd the chiefeft Excellency in Writing, to be in Butler; which is, the being natural and easy, and yet inimitable. This has been long the diftinguishing CharaEteriftick of Hudibras, grounded upon an undeniable Truth, That all Imitations have hitherto proved unfuccefsful. Indeed, it must be own'd, that Mr. Prior has been the most happy of all the Followers of Butler; and has approach'd the nearest to his Style and Humor. Tho' He was Second to Butler, as Philips was to Milton; yet he was fenfible of an apparent Disparity betwixt them, as is "There is one English Poem- the Title whereof is Hudibras"it is Don Quixote, it is our Satyre Merippeè blended together. I 86 never met with fo much Wit in one fingle Book as in this; which at the fame time is the most difficult to be tranflated: who would "believe that a Work which paints in such lively and natural Co"lours the feveral Foibles and Follies of Mankind, and where we 66 66 meet observed in the Notes, (see the last Note on the first Canto of this Poem ;) where is the ingenuous Acknowledgment he makes of his Inferiority, in a fingular Compliment to our Poet. Attempts have likewise been made to translate some parts of this Poem into the Latin Tongue: we have Three Similes of this kind by the Learned Dr. Harmer, in the Poet's Life; but he, and all others have found a thorough Translation impracticable. Nay, fo far fpread is the Fame of Hudibras, that we are told, it has met with a general and kind reception through Christendome by all that are acquainted with the Language; and that it had been before now ftranflated into most European Languages, in the laft, or prefent age, had not the Poet by coyning new Words, to make Jingle to his Verfes, (called Carmen Joculare by the Latins) rendered it fo extremely difficult to make it intelligible in an other Tongue. (see Dedication to an Edition of Butler's Pofthumous Works.) However, he is ftill the unrivall❜d Darling of his own Country; and his Name will be ever famed, while he continues to be read in the "meet with more Sentiments than Words, fhould baffle the Endea$6 vours of the ableft Tranflator! But the reafon of it is This; al"most every part of it alludes to particular Incidents. (Voltair's Letters concerning the English Nation, pag. 212, 213, London, 17338vo. General Hiftorical Dictionary, vol. 6. pag. 293. fee likewife pag. 296. ibid.) b4 Clofets, Clofets, and quoted in the Writings and Converfation of the Politest Writers of the English Nation, Among the many Excellencies peculiar to this Poem, a very fingular one ought not to be omitted, with which it may be faid to be qualified, in common with fome other extraordinary Writings: I mean the Fashion, that has prevail'd of prefcribing them for the Cure of Diftempers both in Body and Mind for inftance, Dr. Serenus Sammonicus a celebrated Phyfician, has gravely prescribed the Fourth Book of Homer's Iliad to be laid under the Head for the cure of a Quartan Ague. (fee the last note on Iliad the 4th) Monfieur Saint Evremont has likewife recommended Don Quixote, as a proper Potion to give Relief to an Heavy Heart. (fee Spectator, N° 163.) Jealousy has been cured by the 170th and 171st Spectators taken in a Dish of Chocolate; and N° 173. 184. 191.203. 221. with half a dozen more of these wonderworking Papers are attefted to be infallible Cures for Hypocondriac Melancholly. (fee N° 547.) – Hudibras may come in for his Share of Fame with these renowned Remedies: and I am much miftaken, if he may not stand in competition with any of the Spectators for the Cure of the last mentioned Distemper. Upon these Authorities, why might not this Poem be prescribed as an infallible Cure not only of the Spleen and Vapours, but of Entbufiafm and Hypocrify? Having thus fet to view the Excellency of this Poem, and the universal Applause it has defervedly met with: what naturally follows but an Enquiry after the Poet, and the refpect that has been paid him? and here I am apprehensive the one will prove as great a Reproach to the Nation, as the other does an Honour to it. The Lord Dorfet was the first that introduced Hudibras into reputation at Court; for Mr. Prior says (Dedicat. to his Poems) it was owing to him, that the Court tasted That Poem, it foon became the chief Entertainment of the King, who often pleasantly quoted it in converfation. From this fair Prospect therefore, we might rationally conclude, that the Poet tafted plentifully of Royal Munificence, and that he was cherished by the Great, as well as his Poem. I am fure his Wit and his Loyalty equally merited reward and encouragement: but alas! upon the strictest Enquiry, we shall find, that he met with neglect, inftead of regard; and empty delufive Promises in the room of real Performances. A difregard of his Friends was what King Charles has been high a Unpity'd Hudibras, your Champion Friend, Has fhewn how far your Charities extend; a (Hind and Panther, Dryden's Mifcel. Gen. Hift. Di&t. v. 6. p. 296.) ly |