[645:D] Censura Literaria, vol. vi. p. 285-298.
[646:A] Book ii. Song 1. See Chalmers's English Poets, vol. vi. p. 276. col. 2.
[646:B] Poems, edit. 1658. p. 8.
[646:C] Preface to Spenser's View of the State of Ireland, 1633.
[647:A] Epigrammatum Libri quatuor, 1607, p. 100. For this striking testimony we are indebted to Mr. Todd's valuable edition of Spenser, vol. i. p. cxxi.
[647:B] To the charge of "critical negligence," in this respect, I am sorry to say, that I must plead guilty in my "Literary Hours;" where, in delineating the character of Spenser, I have brought forward this accusation of obsolete diction, without the proper discrimination. Vide Literary Hours, 3d edit. vol. ii. p. 161.—In every other respect I consider the criticism as correct. I had then read Spenser but twice through; a further familiarity with the Fairie Queene has induced me to withdraw the censure, and to accede to the opinion of Mr. Malone, who conceives the language of the Fairie Queene to have been "perfectly intelligible to every reader of poetry in the time of Queen Elizabeth, though the Shepheards Calendar was not even then understood without a commentary."—See his Dryden's Prose Works, vol. iii. p. 94.
[649:A] It is impossible to view the portrait prefixed to Mr. Todd's valuable edition of Spenser, without being incredulous as to its authenticity. There is a pertness and satirical sharpness in its expression very inconsistent, not only with the disposition of the poet, but with the features given to him in every other representation, of which the leading character is an air of pensive sweetness.
[650:A] Royal and Noble Authors apud Park, vol. v. p. 73.
[650:B] Chalmers's English Poets, vol. v. p. 298.
[651:A] Orford's Royal and Noble Authors apud Park, vol. v. p. 76.