e.

As he introduced the trade of writing for bread, so he also is charged
with venal flattery, than which nothing can be more ignoble and base.
To praise a blockhead's wit because he is great, is too frequently
practised by authors, and deservedly draws down contempt upon them. He
who is favoured and patronized by a great man, at the expence of his
integrity and honour, has paid a dear price for the purchase, a
miserable exchange, patronage for virtue, dependance for freedom.

Our author died the beginning of November, 1666, and was buried on the
North side of the Temple church.

We shall not trouble the reader with an enumeration of all the
translations and prose works of this author; the occasion of his being
introduced here, is, his having written

Nuptials of Peleus and Thetis, consisting of a Masque and a Comedy,
[f]or the Great Royal Ball, acted in Paris six times by the King in
person, the Duke of Anjou, the Duke of York, with other Noblemen; also
by the Princess Royal, Henrietta Maria, Princess of Conti, &c. printed
in 4to. 1654, and addressed to the Marchioness of Dorchester. Besides
this piece, his Dodona's Grove, or Vocal Forest, is in the highest
reputation.

His entertaining letters, many of whom were written to the greatest
personages in England, and some in particular to Ben Johnson, were
first published in four volumes; but in 1737, the tenth edition of
them was published in one volume, which is also now become scarce.
They are interspersed with occasional verses; from one of these little
pieces we shall select the following specimen of this author's
poetical talent.

On the Author's Valentine, Mrs. METCALF.

Could I charm the queen of love,
To lend a quill of her white dove;
Or one of Cupid's pointed wings
Dipt in the fair Caftalian Springs;
Then would I write the all divine
Perfections of my Valentine.

As 'mongst, all flow'rs the Rose excells,
As Amber 'mongst the fragrant'st smells,
As 'mongst all minerals the Gold,
As Marble 'mongst the finest mold,
As Diamond 'mongst jewels bright
As Cynthia 'mongst the lesser lights[3]:
So 'mongst the Northern beauties shine,
So far excels my Valentine.

In Rome and Naples I did view
Faces of celestial hue;
Venetian dames I have seen many,
(I only saw them, truck'd not any)
Of Spanish beauties, Dutch and French,
I have beheld the quintessence[3]:
Yet saw I none that could out-s