We ha' cheated the Parson we'el cheat him again,
For why should a Blockhead have one in ten?
For prating so long like a Booklearned Sot,
Till Pudding, and Dumpling burn to pot.
These are fine comprehensive stroaks! Here you have the Iliads in a Nutshell! Two or three courtly words take in the whole Clergy; And what is wanting in Wit, is made up in Abuse, and that's as well. This is an admirable Harvest Catch, and the poor Tith-stealers stand highly indebted. They might have been tired with Cheating in Prose, had not they not been thus seasonably releiv'd in Doggrell! But now there is Musick in playing the Knave. A Countryman now may fill his Barn, and humour his ill Manners, and sing his Conscience asleep, and all under one. I dont question but these four Lines steal many a Pound in the year. Whether the Muse stands indictable or not, the Law must determine: But after all, I must say the Design is notably laid. For Place and Person, for Relish and Convenience; nothing could have been better. The Method is very short, clear, and Practicable. 'Tis a fine portable Infection, and costs no more Carriage than the Plague.
Well! the Clergy must be contented: It might possibly have been worse for them if they had been in his favour: For he has sometimes a very unlucky way of showing his Kindness. He commends the Earl of Leicester for considering the Friend, more than the Cause;Ep. Ded. Don Sebast.[371] that is, for his Partiality; The Marquess of Halifax for quitting the Helm, at the approach of a Storm;Ded. King Arthur.[372] As if Pilots were made only for fair Weather. 'Tis Presum'd these Noble Persons are unconcern'd in this Character. However the Poet has shown his skill in Panegyrick, and 'tis only for that I mention it. He commends Atticus for his Trimming, and Tally for his Cowardize, and speaks meanly of the Bravery of Cato.Sebast. K. Arth.
Ibid.[373] Afterwards he professes his Zeal for the Publick welfare, and is pleas'd to see the Nation so well secur'd from Foreign Attempts &c.[374] However he is in some pain about the Coming of the Gauls; 'Tis possible for fear they should invade the Muses, and carry the Opera's into Captivity, and deprive us of the Ornaments of Peace.
And now He has serv'd his Friends, he comes in the last place like a modest Man, to commend Himself. He tells us there were a great many Beauties in the Original Draught of this Play. But it seems Time has since tarnish'd their Complexion. And He gives Heroick Reasons for their not appearing. To speak Truth, (all Politicks apart,) there are strange Flights of Honour, and Consistencies of Pretention in this Dedication! But I shall forbear the Blazon of the Atcheivment, for fear I should commend as unluckily as Himself.
SECT. II.
Remarks upon Don Quixot, &c.
Mr. Durfey being somewhat particular in his Genius and Civilities, I shall consider him in a word or two by himself. This Poet writes from the Romance of an ingenious Author: By this means his Sense, and Characters are cut out to his Hand. He has wisely planted himself upon the shoulders of a Giant; but whether his Discoveries answer the advantage of his standing, the Reader must judge.