[139] John of Gaunt had by his mistress, Catharine Rouet, whom he afterwards married, three sons and a daughter, who were legitimated by act of Parliament. John de Beaufort, the eldest of these, was created Earl of Somerset, and from him the ducal family of Beaufort are lineally descended. The patent of the first Duke, the father of this Duchess of Ormond, bears to be, in consideration of his services, and of his most noble descent from King Edward III., by John de Beaufort, eldest son of John of Gaunt, by his third marriage.
[140] Our author remembered his master Virgil:
Et Pater ipse, manu magnâ, Portunus euntem Impulit
——Æneidos, Lib. V.
[141] Our author is guilty of the same extravagant idea in the "Astræa Redux:"
It is no longer motion cheats your view;
As you meet it, the land approacheth you.
For which he is deservedly censured by Dr Johnson.
[142] The Duchess of Ormond went to Ireland in autumn 1697, according to Mr Malone, and was followed by the Duke.
[143] Alluding to the wars of the Revolution in Ireland.
[144] She seems to have been just recovered from a fever.
[145] Titus, who is said to have wept at the destruction of the Temple, during the storm of Jerusalem.