1. "The works of John Sheffield, earl of Mulgrave, marquis of Normanby, and duke of Buckingham. London: printed for John Barber, 1723. 4º. 2 vols."
2. "The works of John Sheffield, earl of Mulgrave, marquis of Normanby, and duke of Buckingham. Printed for John Barber, alderman of London, 1726. Small 8º. 2 vols."
3. "Original poems and translations, by John Dryden, Esq. London: printed for J. and R. Tonson, 1743. 12º. 2 vols."
In the two former publications, the poem appears as the entire composition of the noble author, and is said to have been "written in the year 1675." In the latter publication it appears without date, and is said to be "by Mr. Dryden and the earl of Mulgrave."
The publications were posthumous, and as the editors afford no explanation of the point in dispute, we must consult the reputed authors.
In the year 1691, as an advertisement to King Arthur, a dramatic opera, Dryden printed a catalogue of his "plays and poems in quarto," in order to prevent future mis-ascriptions. The catalogue comprises ten poems, but no Essay on satire. The publisher of King Arthur was Mr. Jacob Tonson.
In 1682, the earl of Mulgrave published, anonymously, through the agency of Mr. Joseph Hindmarsh, an Essay upon poetry. It contains these lines:—
"The laureat here may justly claim our praise,
Crown'd by Mac-Fleckno with immortal bays;
Though prais'd and punish'd for another's rimes,
His own deserve that glorious fate sometimes,
Were he not forc'd to carry now dead weight,