as of the reader, in this undertaking. In order to which ends, I have with all possible respect and industry besought, solicited, and obtained the assistance of persons equal to the enterprize, and not only criticks in the tongue, but men of known fame and abilities for style and ornament; but I shall rather refer you to the learned and ingenious translators of this first part, (whose names you will find in the next page,) as a specimen of what you may promise yourself from the rest.

After this right done to the Greek author, I shall not need to say what profit and delight will accrue to the English reader from this version, when he shall see this illustrious piece in his own mother tongue, and the very spirit of the original transfused into the traduction; and in one word, Plutarch's Worthies made v yet more famous by a translation that gives a farther lustre even to Plutarch himself.

Now as to the bookseller's part, I must justify myself
that I have done all that to me belonged; that is to say,
I have been punctually faithful to all my commissions
toward the correctness and decency of the work; and I
have said to myself that which I now say to the publick,
It is impossible but a book that comes into the world
with so many circumstances of dignity, usefulness, and
esteem, musturn to account.”

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the

DEDICATION

OF THE

HISTORY OF THE LEAGUE."

SIR,

TO THE KING.

HAVING received the honour of your Majesty's commands to translate the HISTORY OF THE LEAGUE, I have applied myself with my utmost diligence to obey them; first by a thorough

7 THE HISTORY OF THE LEAGUE, written in French by the Jesuit, Louis Maimbourg, was translated by our author, and published in 8vo. in 1684.-Dr. Johnson has said, that this work was undertaken "with the hopes of promoting popery;" but this is certainly a mistake. The translation was made previous, as it should seem, to Dryden's conversion to popery; and the object in view undoubtedly was, to strengthen the hands of government, and to discredit the party who had acted with Lord Shaftesbury, between whom and the French Leaguers our author in a former work, published in the preceding year, (VINDICATION OF THE DUKE OF GUISE,) had endeavoured to shew there was a strong similitude.

The Leaguers in France were a party of noblemen and gentlemen, headed by the Duke of Guise, who in 1576 associated, and bound themselves to each other by a

The

understanding of my author, in which I was assisted by my former knowledge of the French history in general, and in particular of those very transactions which he has so faithfully and judiciously related; then by giving his thoughts the same beauty in our language which they had in the original, and, which I most of all endeavoured, the same force and perspicuity; both of which I hope I have performed with some exactness, and without any considerable mistake. But of this your Majesty is the truest judge, who are so great a master of the original, and who having read this piece when it first was published, can easily find out my failings; but to my comfort, can more easily forgive them.

I confess I could never have laid hold on that virtue of your royal clemency at a more unseasonable time; when your enemies have so far abused it, that pardons are grown dangerous to your safety, and consequently to the welfare of your loyal subjects. But frequent forgiveness is

solemn League and Covenant, to maintain and preserve the sole exercise of the catholick, apostolick, and Roman religion, and all their ancient rights and franchises. They were joined by a party of malecontents, who were called the Politiques, because, says Maimbourg, "without touching on religion, they pretended they took arms only for the publick good, for the relief and benefit of the people, and to reform those grievances and disorders which were at present in the state: a ground which has always served for a pretence of rebellion.

their encouragement; they have the sanctuary in their eye, before they attempt the crime, and take all measures of security, either not to need a pardon, if they strike the blow, or to have it granted, if they fail. Upon the whole matter, your Majesty is not upon equal terms with them; you are still forgiving, and they still designing against your sacred life: your principle is mercy, theirs inveterate malice; when one only wards, and the other strikes, the prospect is sad on the defensive side. Hercules, as the poets tell us, had no advantage on Anteus by his often throwing him on the ground; for he laid him only in his mother's lap, which in effect was but doubling his strength to renew the combat. These sons of earth are never to be trusted in their mother element; they must be hoisted into the air and strangled.

If the experiment of clemency were new, if it had not been often tried without effect, or rather with effects quite contrary to the intentions of your goodness, your loyal subjects are generous enough to pity their countrymen, though offenders; but when that pity has been always found to draw into example of greater mischiefs,-when they continually behold both your Majesty and themselves exposed to dangers, the church, the government, the succession, still threatened; ingratitude so far from being converted by gentle means, that it is turned at last into the nature of the damned, desirous of revenge, and hardened in impenitence; it is time at length for self-preservation to cry