OF THE MOST

EMINENT ENGLISH POETS,

,

WITH

CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR WORKS.

BY SAMUEL JOHNSON.

WITH NOTES CORRECTIVE AND EXPLANATORY,

BY PETER CUNNINGHAM, F. S. A.,

IRUN
NEW YORK:

KSON og BROADWAY.
DERBY & , ,

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

ABRAHAM COWLEY.-1618–1667.

Birth and Parentage-Genius-Educated at Westminster and Cambridge-His learned Pueril.

ities-His Mistress '-His compliance with the Times His Latin Poetry-His Davideis '--

His Love of Solitude-Beath and Burial in Westminster Abbey-The Metaphysical Poets

Pindarism-Works and Character

37

SIR JOHN DENHAM.-1615-1668.

Born at Dublin-Educated at Oxford and Lincoln's Inn-Addicted to Gaming-Becomes unex-

pectedly a Poet—Sides with Charles I.-Writes Cooper's Hill --Employed by Charles I.-

Made Knight of the Bath and Surveyor of the Works-His two Wives-Becomes Insane-

Death and Burial in Westminster Abbey-Character and Works .

99

JOHN MILTON.-1608-1674.

Born in London-Educated at St. Paul's and at Cambridge-WritesComus' and 'Lycidas'-

Visits Italy-Sees Grotius and Galileo-Returns to London-His School!-Marries-Pub-

lishes his Poems-Writes on Divorce-Sides with the Parliament against Charles I.--Made

Secretary of the Latin Tongue to the Parliament and Cromwell—Prints a reply to Salmasius

—Becomes Blind Loses his Secretaryship-Is in Danger at the Restoration-Receives a

Pardon-Publishes · Paradise Lost' and 'Paradise Regained !-His Three Wives—His Chil-

dren and Nephews-Dies in London, and is buried in St. Giles', Cripplegate-His Works and

Character

113

6

SAMUEL BUTLER.-1612–1680.

Born at Strensham, in Worcestershire-Educated either at Oxford or Cambridge-Enters

the service of the Countess of Kent-Employed by Selden, and acquires the friendship

of Cooper the painter-Made Steward of Ludlow Castle-Marries—Sir Samuel Luke-

Publishes 'Hudibras' in three parts-His Poverty-Death and burial in St. Paul's, Co-

vent Garden-Monument in Westminster Abbey-Works and Character

197

.

EARL OF ROCHESTER.-1647–1680.

Born at Ditchley, in Oxfordshire-Educated at Oxford--Becomes a Favourite with Charles

II.-Early and continued dissipation-His Quarrel with Lord Mulgrave-Burnet's Ac-

count of his last Illness-Death and Burial at Spilsbury, in Oxfordshire-His Character

as a Poet

215

EARL OF ROSCOMMON.-1634-1684.

Born in Ireland-Educated at Caen-Preter natural intelligence of his Father's Death-Returns

to England at the Restoration-His love of play-Endeavours to refine the English language

-Death and burial in Westminster Abbey-Purity and excellence of his writings 225

THOMAS OTWAY.-1651-1685.

Born at Trotton, in Sussex-Educated at Winchester and Oxford-Fails as an Actor-Great

Success as a Dramatist-Serves as a Cornet in the English Army in Flanders—His Poverty

and tragic End-Buried in St. Clement's Danes-His Works and Character

237

EDMUND WALLER.-1605–1687.

Born at Coleshill, in Hertfordshire-Educated at Eton and Cambridge-Returned to Parlia-

ment-His first Poetry-Marries a rich Heiress—Sacharissa-His Second Marriage-Is a

Member of the Long Parliament,Cromwell and Hampden-Publishes his Poems-His Plot

in favour of Charles I.-- His Life in danger-Escapes with a heavy Fine-Lives in France

Is allowed to return-His Panegyric on Cromwell--His Poem on Charles II.--His Life at the

Restoration-Death and Burial at Beaconsfield, in Buckinghamshire-Works and Charac-

ter

245

JOHN DRYDEN.-1631–1700.

Born at Aldwinkle, in Northamptonshire-Educated at Westminster and Cambridge-His late

appearance as a Poet-His first Verses-His Panegyricon Cromwell-His Poem on the

Restoration–His first Play-Revival of the Drama-Heroic Plays with Rhyme--Becomes a

constant Writer for the Stage-Made Poet Laureate-His controversy with Settle and Shad-

well-Is ridiculed by the Duke of Buckingham in "The Rehearsal '-Is beaten by bullies

hired by the Earl of Rochester-His Political and Religious Satires-Publishes · Absalom

and Achitophel '—'The Medal'—'Mac Flecknoe'-Is converted to the Church of Rome-

Publishes 'The Hind and the Panther -Loses his office of Poet Laureate-His translations

from Juvenal, Ovid, and Persius-His translation of Virgil-Ode on St. Cecilia's Day, and

Fables—Death and Burial in Westminster Abbey-Works and Character

293

JOHN POMFRET.-1667-1703.

Born at Luton, in Bedfordshire --Educated at Cambridge-Rector of Malden-Publishes The

Choice'-Marries-Death and Character

415

EARL OF DORSET.-1637-8-1705-6.

Birth and Parentage-Educated under a Private Tutor-Represents East Grinstead in the

Restoration Parliament-His Early Dissipation--His Valour and Gaiety-Writes a famous

Ballad at Sea, "To all you ladies now at land '-Created Earl of Middlesex-Succeeds his

Father as Earl of Dorset-Sides with the Prince of Orange against James II.-Twice Mar-

ried-His Patronage of Poets-Death at Bath, and Burial at Wythiam

419

GEORGE STEPNEY.-1663–1707.

Born at Westminster-Educated at Cambridge-His Political Employments-Death and Burial

in Westminster Abbey-Works and Character

427