OF THE MOST

COLLEGE

EMINENT ENGLISH POETS,

WITH

CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR WORKS.

BY SAMUEL JOHNSON.

WITH NOTES CORRECTIVE AND EXPLANATORY,

BY PETER CUNNINGHAM, F. S. A.,

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

87

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

JOHN MILTON.-1608–1674.

99

Born in London-Educated at St. Paul's and at Cambridge-Writes 'Comus' 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

118.

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. 12/58

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

Poet

as

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

THOMAS OTWAY.-1651-1685.

225

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

EDMUND WALLER.-1605-1687.

237

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-

245

ter

JOHN DRYDEN.-1631-1700.

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

appearance as a Poet-His first Verses-His Panegyric on 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