His lordship's poetical works have been published among the minor poets 1749, and consist chiefly of a poem to Mr. Edward Howard, on his incomprehensible poem called the British Princes, in which his lordship is very satyrical upon that author.
Verses to Sir Thomas St. Serfe, on his printing his play called Tarugo's
Wiles, acted 1668.
An Epilogue to Moliere's Tartuff.
An epilogue on the revival of Ben Johnson's play called Every Man in his
Humour.
A Song writ at Sea, in the time of the Dutch war 1665, the night before an engagement.
Verses addressed to the Countess of Dorchester.
A Satirical piece, entitled, A Faithful Catalogue of our most eminent
Ninnies; written in the year 1683.
Several Songs.
From the specimens lord Dorset has given us of his poetical talents, we are inclined to wish, that affairs of higher consequence had permitted him to have dedicated more of his time to the Muses. Though some critics may alledge, that what he has given the public is rather pretty than great; and that a few pieces of a light nature do not sufficiently entitle him to the character of a first rate poet; yet, when we consider, that notwithstanding they were merely the amusement of his leisure hours, and mostly the productions of his youth, they contain marks of a genius, and as such, he is celebrated by Dryden, Prior, Congreve, Pope, &c.
We shall conclude his life with the encomium Pope bestows on him, in the following beautiful lines.