t air of gallantry which is
so visibly diffused through the body of the work, and is, indeed, the
soul that animates all things of this nature; but so much variety of
reading, both in ancient and modern authors, such digestion of that
reading, so much justness of thought, that it leaves no room for
affectation or pedantry; I may venture to say, are not over common
amongst practised writers, and very rarely to be found amongst
beginners. It puts me in mind of what was said of Mr. Waller, the father
of our English numbers, upon the sight of his first verses, by the wits
of the last age; that he came out into the world forty-thousand
strong, before they had heard of him. Here in imitation of my friend's
apostrophes, I hope the reader need not be told, that Mr. Waller is only
mentioned for honour's sake, that I am desirous of laying hold on his
memory on all occasions, and thereby acknowledging to the world, that
unless he had written, none of us all could write. My friend, had not it
seems confidence enough to send this piece out into the world, without
my opinion of it, that it might pass securely, at least among the fair
readers, for whose service it was principally designed. I am not so
presuming, as to think my opinion can either be his touch-stone, or his
passport; but, I thought I might send him back to Ariosto, who has made
it the business of almost thirty stanza's, in the beginning of the
thirty-seventh book of his Orlando Furioso; not only to praise that
beautiful part of the creation, but also to make a sharp satire on their
enemies; to give mankind their own, and to tell them plainly, that from
their envy it proceeds, that the virtue and great actions of women are
purposely concealed, and the failings of some few amongst them exposed,
with all the aggravating circumstances of malice. For my own part, who
have always been their servant, and have never drawn my pen against
them, I had rather see some of them praised extraordinarily, than any
of them suffer by detraction, and that at this age, and at this time
particularly, wherein I find more heroines, than heroes; let me
therefore give them joy of their new champion: If any will think me more
partial to him, than I really am, they can only say, I have returned his
bribe; and he word I wish him is, that he may receive justice from the
men, and favour only from the ladies.'

This is the opinion of Mr. Dryden in favour of this piece, which is
sufficient to establish