[20] Ibid.
[21] "In the Bodleian Catalogue another work is attributed to our author, on very slight grounds: 'An Exposition of the Doctrine of the Catholic Church,' translated from Bossuet, Bishop of Meaux, and published at London in 1685. The only authority for attributing this translation to Dryden, should seem to have been the following note in Bishop Barlow's handwriting, at the bottom of the title-page of the copy belonging to the Bodleian Library:
"'By Mr. Dryden, then only a poet, now a papist too: may be, he was a papist before, but not known till of late.'
"This book had belonged to Bishop Barlow, who died in 1691."—MALONE.
[22] "Before the beginning of every canonical hour, he always said the hymn of 'Veni, Creator Spiritus;' and it was observed that while he said it, his countenance was enlightened, as if the Holy Ghost, whom he invoked, was visibly descended on him."—Vol. xvi.
[23][I have received a valuable communication as to Dryden's Hymns, which will be noticed in its proper place.—ED.]
[24] This line alone speaks Dryden in every syllable.
[25] I subjoin the original hymn, which is supposed to have been composed by Lactantius.
Ut queant, laxis resonare fibris,
Mira gestorum, famuli, tuorum,
Solve polluti labii meatum,
Sancte Joannes!
Nunciens, celso veniens Olympo,
Te, Patri, magnum fore nasciturum,
Nomen, et vitæ seriem gerendæ,
Ordine promit.