It was given as "adequate
retaliation" for the Bishop's censure of the immorality of Dryden's
plays. Applied to Burnet's _Sketches of Characters_, Dryden says:
"His praise of foes is venomously nice,
So touch'd, it turns a virtue to a vice."
Scott's note on this passage well merits perusal.
J.H.M.
Bath.
* * * * *
PERVENIRI AD SUMMUM NISI EX PRINCIPIIS NON POTEST.
(_FROM THE LATIN OF VINCENT BOURNE_.)
Newton, the light of each succeeding age,
First learned his letters from a female sage.
But thus far taught--the alphabet once learn'd--
To loftier use those elements he turn'd.
Forced th' unconscious signs, by process rare,
Known quantities with unknown to compare;
And, by their aid, profound deductions drew
From depths of truth his teacher never knew.
Yet the true authoress of all was she!--
Newton's Principia were his _a_, _b_, _c_.
Rufus.
* * * * *
_Prince Madoc_ (No. 4. p. 56.; No. 18. p. 282.
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