I confess to have been my masters
in the art. But this latter was the accusation of the best judge, and
almost the best poet, in the Latin tongue. You find Horace
complaining, that, for taxing some verses in Lucilius, he himself was
blamed by others, though his design was no other than mine now, to
improve the knowledge of poetry; and it was no defence to him, amongst
his enemies, any more than it is for me, that he praised Lucilius
where he deserved it; _pagina laudatur eadem_. It is for this reason I
will be no more mistaken for my good meaning: I know I honour Ben
Jonson more than my little critics, because, without vanity I may own,
I understand him better[6]. As for the errors they pretend to find in
me, I could easily show them, that the greatest part of them are
beauties; and for the rest, I could recriminate upon the best poets of
our nation, if I could resolve to accuse another of little faults,
whom, at the same time, I admire for greater excellencies. But I have
neither concernment enough upon me to write any thing in my own
defence, neither will I gratify the ambition of two wretched
scribblers, who desire nothing more than to be answered. I have not
wanted friends, even among strangers, who have defended me more
strongly, than my contemptible pedant could attack me[7]. For the
other, he is only like Fungoso in the play, who follows the fashion at
a distance, and adores the Fastidious Brisk of Oxford[8]. You can bear
me witness, that I have not consideration enough for either of them to
be angry. Let Maevius and Bavius admire each other; I wish to be hated
by them and their fellows, by the same reason for which I desire to be
loved by you. And I leave it to the world, whether their judgment of
my poetry ought to be preferred to yours; though they are as much
prejudiced by their malice, as I desire you should be led by your
kindness, to be partial to,

SIR,

Your most humble,
And most faithful servant,
JOHN DRYDEN.

Footnotes:

1. Sir Charles Sedley, noted among "the mob of gentlemen who wrote
with ease," was so highly applauded for his taste and judgment,
that Charles said, "Nature had given him a patent to be Apollo's
viceroy." Some account has been given of this celebrated courtier,
in the introduction to the Essay on Dramatic Poetry. Dryden was at
this time particularly induced to appeal to the taste of the first
among the gay world, by the repeated censures