In the mean time, I would advise you not to trust too much to Virgil’s Pastorals; for as excellent as they are, yet Theocritus is far before him, both in softness of thought, and simplicity of expression. Mr Creech has translated that Greek poet, which I have not read in English. If you have any considerable faults, they consist chiefly in the choice of words, and the placeing them so as to make the verse run smoothly; but I am at present so taken up with my own studies, that I have not leisure to descend to particulars; being, in the mean time, the fair Corinna’s
Most humble and most faithful Servant, John Dryden.
P.S. I keep your two copies[176] till you want them, and are pleas’d to send for them.
LETTER XLIII.
TO MRS STEWARD.
Saturday, Nov. 26, [1699.]
After a long expectation, Madam, at length your happy letter came to your servant, who almost despair’d of it. The onely comfort I had, was, my hopes of seeing you, and that you defer’d writeing, because you wou’d surprise me with your presence, and beare your relations company to town.—Your neighbour, Mr Price, has given me an apprehension, that my cousin, your father, is in some danger of being made sheriff the following yeare; but I hope ’tis a jealousy without ground, and that the warm season only keeps him in the country.—If you come up next week, you will be entertain’d with a new tragedy, which the author of it, one Mr Dennis, cries up at an excessive rate; and Colonel Codrington, who has seen it, prepares the world to give it loud applauses. ’Tis called “Iphigenia,” and imitated from Euripides, an old Greek poet.[177] This is to be acted at Betterton’s house; and another play of the same name is very shortly to come on the stage in Drury-Lane.—I was lately to visite the Duchess of Norfolk;[178] and she speaks of you with much affection and respect. Your cousin Montague,[179] after the present session of parliament, will be created Earl of Bristoll.[180] and I hope is much my friend: but I doubt I am in no condition of having a kindness done, having the Chancellour[181] my enemy; and not being capable of renounceing the cause for which I have so long suffer’d,—My cousin Driden of Chesterton is in town, and lodges with my brother in Westminster.[182] My sonn has seen him, and was very kindly received by him.—Let this letter stand for nothing, because it has nothing but news in it, and has so little of the main business, which is to assure my fair cousine how much I am her admirer, and her
Most devoted Servant, John Dryden.
I write no recommendations of service to our friends at Oundle, because I suppose they are leaveing that place; but I wish my Cousin Stuart a boy, as like Miss Jem:[183] as he and you can make him. My wife and sonn are never forgetfull of their acknowledgments to you both.
For Mrs Stuart, Att Cotterstock near Oundle, in the County of Northampton, These. To be left at the Posthouse in Oundle.