Works of John Dryden. The Works of John Dryden, Volume XVII: Prose, 1668-1691: An essay of Dramatick Poesie and Shorter Works 9780520905191

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THE WORKS OF JOHN DRYDEN General Editor H. T. SWEDENBERG, JR.

Associate General Editor EARL MINER

Textual Editor VINTON A. DEARING

Associate Textual Editor GEORGE ROBERT GUFFEY

VOLUME SEVENTEEN EDITOR

Samuel Holt Monk COEDITOR

A. E. Wallace Maurer TEXTUAL EDITOR

Vinton A. Dearing ASSOCIATE E D I T O R S

R. V. LeClercq

Maximillian E. Novak

V O L U M E XVII

The Works of John Dryden Prose 1668-1691 A N ESSAY O F D R A M A T I C K P O E S I E AND SHORTER WORKS

University of California Press Berkeley Los Angeles London 1971

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS Berkeley and Los Angeles, California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS, LTD.

London, England

The copy texts of this edition have been drawn in the main from the Dryden Collection of the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library

Copyright © 1971 by The Regents of the University of California Printed in the United States of America ISBN:978-0-520-01814-3 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 55-7149 Designed by Ward Ritchie

Preface Dryden employed numerous prose styles, and they have been variously described. Very much the same thing can be said of the subjects to which he addressed himself in prose and of the Protean guises in which he chose to appear. This volume might best be described as a sampler of Dryden as biographer-historian, political commentator, religious controversialist, literary polemicist, literary theorist, and practical critic. Here "the other harmony of prose" is heard in numerous keys; also audible are some discords that can be resolved only in the larger concord of a life devoted to letters in the many realms over which Dryden reigned. If he was, as Dr. Johnson said, the father of English criticism, that is but one subject on which his prose pen touched; but without doubt his fatherhood began with his most carefully articulated piece of literary criticism, familiarly known as An Essay of Dramatic Poesy. As our commentary aims to show, the Essay achieves its stature not only by virtue of its superbly ordered yet relaxed style and the intrinsic importance of its ideas, but also by reason of its quasi-fictional dialogue form. Dryden’s mastery of the form enabled him, in good conscience, to claim kinship with Plato, Cicero, and other Academic philosophers. The same assurance is not found in all the pieces included here. The rather lengthy period covered by this volume provided many challenges to the poet, to the prose writer, and to the man alike. The commotion over the Popish Plot and the succession, the controversy on religious matters after Dryden’s conversion, and debate with fellow writers provoked responses from Dryden which were often hurried and sometimes passionate. On one occasion, indeed, his reaction to the redoubtable pen of Thomas Rymer was sufficiently private to have been taken no further than the writing of the "heads" for a critical treatise on drama. And yet there were also times, as when Dryden took up his pen to write a dedication on behalf of his friend Henry Purcell, or as he sat down to review the achievement of Plutarch, when he could reflect upon the major issues of human civilization, taking that wider view that marks his thought at its finest.

vi

Preface

The aim in this volume has been to provide the reader with the resources to understand, analyze, and judge a number of Dryden’s prose pieces which were not connected by way of preface to other works. The essential basis of the commentary and its design have been supplied by Samuel H. Monk, who has also contributed, over a period of many years, to commentary on critical works in other volumes of the California edition of Dryden’s works. A. E. Wallace Maurer has written the headnote and the annotation for the Life of Plutarch and has lent valuable assistance in other ways as well. For An Essay of Dramatic Poesy, R. V. LeClercq has furnished new material on the classical and French backgrounds, Earl Miner has put the headnote in its final form, and H. T. Swedenberg, Jr., has expanded the annotation. Maximillian E. Novak has amplified the commentary on Notes and Observations on The Empress of Morocco. Vinton A. Bearing has provided the text for this volume, the first of four to be devoted to Dryden’s prose writings. The Editor of this volume expresses his gratitude to the staff of the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library at the University of California, Los Angeles, for its generous and efficient service during his tenure as Senior Fellow in 1964, as well as to the Clark Library Committee for appointing him to that fellowship. He is also grateful to Dr. Louis B. Wright for a threemonth grant to work at the Folger Shakespeare Library in 1965–66. Since Dryden’s classical learning, or his ease with the classics, exceeds that of his editors, it is a mercy to be able to draw upon the learning of colleagues in the classical literatures. We wish to express our indebtedness and gratitude, therefore, to Philip Levine, Professor of Classics and Dean of Humanities at UCLA, for his generous assistance, especially for his guidance through the altering forms of the dialogue and the Academic tradition. We also wish to thank Professor Clarence Forbes of the Ohio State University Classics Department who has translated the Latin passages from the Rualdus edition of Plutarch. Modern standards for editions of English authors are such,

Preface

vii

and life is such, that the editors could not make what claim they can to accuracy without alert and intelligent assistance. Mrs. Geneva Phillips, the editorial assistant for this edition, has held up standards for which the General Editor and the Associate General Editor can only bow their heads gratefully, and Mrs. Grace H. Stimson of the University of California Press has assisted the editors to a degree that only those engaged in similar endeavors will understand. The checking, rechecking, and checking yet again of text and of commentary owes much to the devoted care of UCLA graduate students. Michael Seidel, David Latt, Mrs. Melanie Rangno, Mrs. Janette Lewis, Mrs. Diane Eliel, and Nick Havranek have corrected manuscript and proof with a fidelity as necessary as it is invisible. The splendid assistance enjoyed by the editors would not have been possible, of course, without financial aid from the office of the Chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Committee on Research of this university. The General Editor and the Associate General Editor take particular pleasure in acknowledging this indebtedness. The support of a university, the talents of men and of women from more than one university, and the assistance of many persons dedicated to literary study are essential to any major edition. The editors of this volume gratefully acknowledge such aid.

June 1970

S. H. M. H. T. S. E. M.

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Contents Of Dramatick Poesie, An Essay Notes and Observations on The Empress of Morocco Heads of an Answer to Rymer His Majesties Declaration Defended Contributions to Plutarchs Lives Epistle Dedicatory The Publisher to the Reader The Life of Plutarch Contribution to A Defence of the Papers Written by the Late King of Blessed Memory, and Duchess of York A Defence of the Third [Duchess's] Paper Epistle Dedicatory for The Vocal and Instrumental Musick of the Prophetess Commentary Textual Notes Appendixes A. His Majesties Declaration B. Copy of a Paper written by the late Duchess of York Index to the Commentary

3 83 185 195 227 237 239 291 324 327 485 513 5*9 521

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Illustrations TITLE PAGE OF Of Dramatick Poesie, An Essay 2 Somerset House and Stairs from the Thames Facing page 8 TITLE PAGE OF Notes and Observations on The Empress of Morocco 82 TITLE PAGE OF His Majesties Declaration Defended 194 TITLE PAGE OF Plutarchs Lives 226 Plutarch, from Plutarchs Lives Facing page 239 TITLE PAGE OF A Defence of the Papers Written by the Late King of Blessed Memory, and Duchess of York 290 TITLE PAGE OF His Majesties Declaration 512 TITLE PAGE OF Copies of Two Papers Written by the Late King Charles II. Together with a Copy of a Paper written by the late Duchess of York 518

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PROSE

1668-1691

AN ESSAY OF DRAMATICK POESIE AND SHORTER WORKS

OF

Dramatick Poefie, A

N

ESSAY. By f OH^SCPSirDJSJACEfq; -Fttflgarvictcotu, qcMtim Reddere gttAfirrum valet, exors ipfafetandi. Horar.DeArtcPoet.

LONDON, Printed for Henry Htmngman^ at the Sign of the Anchor, on the Lower-walk of the NewExchange, 166%. TITLE PAGE OF THE FIRST EDITION (MACDONALD ia7A)

An Essay of Dramatick Poesie

3

An Essay of Dramatick Poesie TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES LORD BUCKHURST.

My Lord, I was lately reviewing my loose Papers, amongst the rest I found this Essay, the writing of which in this rude and indigested manner wherein your Lordship now sees it, serv'd as an amusement to me in the Country, when the violence of the last Plague had driven me from the Town. Seeing then our Theaters shut up, I was engag'd in these kind of thoughts with the same delight with which men think upon their absent Mistresses: I confess I find many things in this 10 discourse which I do not now approve; my judgment being not a little alter'd since the writing of it, but whither for the better or the worse I know not: Neither indeed is it much material in an Essay, where all I have said is problematical. For the way of writing Playes in verse, which I have seem'd to favour, I have since that time laid the Practice of it aside, till I have more leisure, because I find it troublesome and slow. But I am no way alter'd from my opinion of it, at least with any reasons which have oppos'd it. For your Lordship may easily observe that none are very violent against it, but those who either have 20 not attempted it, or who have succeeded ill in their attempt. 'Tis enough for me to have your Lordships example for my excuse in that little which I have done in it; and I am sure my Adversaries can bring no such Arguments against Verse, as those with which the fourth Act of Pompey will furnish me in its defence. Yet, my Lord, you must suffer me a little to complain of you, that you too soon withdraw from us a contentment, of which we expected the continuance, because you gave it us so early. 'Tis a revolt without occasion from your Party,

AI

10-11 not a] Qa-3, D; a Qi, F. [Fluctuations in the texts cited are explained in the Textual Notes.] 24 those with which the . . . me] Qa-3, D; the . . . me with, Qi, F.

4

Prose 1668-1691

where your merits had already rais'd you to the highest commands, and where you have not the excuse of other men that you have been ill us'd, and therefore laid down Armes. I know no other quarrel you can have to Verse, then that which Spurina had to his beauty, when he tore and mangled the features of his Face, onely because they pleas'd too well the sight. It was an honour which seem'd to wait for you, to lead out a new Colony of Writers from the Mother Nation: and upon the first spreading of your Ensignes there had been many 10 in a readiness to have follow'd so fortunate a Leader; if not all, yet the better part of Poets, Pars, indocili melior grege; mollis & expes Inominata perprimat cubilia. I am almost of opinion, that we should force you to accept of the command, as sometimes the Praetorian Bands have compell'd their Captains to receive the Empire. The Court, which is the best and surest judge of writing, has generally allow'd of Verse; and in the Town it has found favourers of Wit and Quality. As for your own particular, My Lord, you have yet 20 youth, and time enough to give part of them to the divertisement of the Publick, before you enter into the serious and more unpleasant business of the world. That which the French Poet said of the Temple of Love, may be as well apply'd to the Temple of the Muses. The words, as near as I can remember them, were these: Le jeune homme, a mauvaise grace, N'ayant pas adore dans le temple d'Amour: II faut qu'il entre, & pour le sage Si ce n'est pas son vray sejour 30 C'est un giste sur son passage. I leave the words to work their effect upon your Lordship in their own Language, because no other can so well express the 7 11 20 22 26 29 30

sight] Qz-3, D; lookers on Qi, F. Poets,] Q2-3, D (~ .); Writers, Qi, F. them] Qz-3, D; it Qi, F. French Poet] Qs, D; French Poet Qi-2, F. Le jeune homme, d . . . grace,] Q2-3, D; La jeuncsse a ... n'est pas] Qz-j, D; nest Qi, F. C'est] Q2-3, D; Ce'st Qi, F.

grace. Qi, F.

An Essay of Dramatick Poesie

5

nobleness of the thought; And wish you may be soon call'd to bear a part in the affairs of the Nation, where I know the world expects you, and wonders why you have been so long forgotten; there being no person amongst our young Nobility, on whom the eyes of all men are so much bent. But in the mean time your Lordship may imitate the course of Nature, who gives us the flower before the fruit: that I may speak to you in the language of the Muses, which I have taken from an excellent Poem to the King. 10 As Nature, when she fruit designes, thinks fit By beauteous blossoms to proceed to it; And while she does accomplish all the Spring, Birds to her secret operations sing. I confess I have no greater reason, in addressing this Essay to your Lordship, then that it might awaken in you the desire of writing something, in whatever kind it be, which might be an honour to our Age and Country. And methinks it might have the same effect on you, which Homer tells us the fight of the Greeks and Trojans before the Fleet, had on the spirit of 20 Achilles, who though he had resolved not to ingage, yet found a martial warmth to steal upon him, at the sight of Blows, the sound of Trumpets, and the cries of fighting Men. For my own part, if in treating of this subject I sometimes dissent from the opinion of better Wits, I declare it is not so much to combat their opinions, as to defend my own, which were first made publick. Sometimes, like a Schollar in a Fencing-School I put forth my self, and show my own ill play, on purpose to be better taught. Sometimes I stand desperately to my Armes, like the Foot when deserted by their Horse, not in hope to over80 come, but onely to yield on more honourable termes. And yet, my Lord, this war of opinions, you well know, has fallen out among the Writers of all Ages, and sometimes betwixt Friends. Onely it has been prosecuted by some, like Pedants, with vio10-13 In same type face as prose in Q/. 17 methinks] Qs, F, D; me thinks Qi-a. 18 on] Q2-g, D; upon Qi, F^ 19 Greeks and Trojans] Qa- , D; Greeks and Trojans Qi, F.

6

Prose 1668-1601

lence of words, and manag'd by others like Gentlemen, with candour and civility. Even Tully had a Controversie with his dear Atticus; and in one of his Dialogues makes him sustain the part of an Enemy in Philosophy, who in his Letters is his confident of State, and made privy to the most weighty affairs of the Roman Senate. And the same respect which was paid by Tully to Atticus, we find return'd to him afterwards by Caesar on a like occasion, who answering his Book in praise of Cato, made it not so much his business to condemn Cato, as to praise 10 Cicero. But that I may decline some part of the encounter with my Adversaries, whom I am neither willing to combate, nor well able to resist; I will give your Lordship the Relation of a Dispute betwixt some of our Wits on the same subject, in which they did not onely speak of Playes in Verse, but mingled, in the freedom of Discourse, some things of the Ancient, many of the Modern wayes of writing, comparing those with these, and the Wits of our Nation with those of others: 'tis true they differ'd in their opinions, as 'tis probable they would: neither do I take upon me to reconcile, but to relate them: and that, as 20 Tacitus professes of himself, Sine studio partium aut ira: without Passion or Interest; leaving your Lordship to decide it in favour of which part you shall judge most reasonable, and withall, to pardon the many errours of, Your Lordships most obedient humble Servant,

JOHN DRYDEN. a civility] Qz-3, F, D; ciuility Qi. 6 Roman Senate] Qg, D; Roman Senate Qi-2, F. 13 on the same] Qz-3, D; upon this Qi, F. 19 that,]-»< A (£1-3, F, D.

An Essay of Dramatick Poesie

n

TO THE R E A D E R .

HE drift of the ensuing Discourse was chiefly to vindicate the honour of our English Writers, from the censure of those who unjustly prefer the French before them. This I intimate, least any should think me so exceeding vain, as to teach others an Art which they understand much better then my self. But if this incorrect Essay, 'written in the Country without the help of Books, or advice of Friends, shall find any acceptance in the world, I promise to my self a better success of the second part, wherein I shall more fully treat of the Vertues 10 and Faults of the English Poets, who have written either in this, the Epique, or the Lyrique way.

T

a English] Qj, D; English Qi-z, F. 3 French] Qg, D; French Qi-2, F. 9 wherein I shall more fully treat of] Qa-g, D; wherein Qi, F. 10 English] Qg, D; English Qi-z, F. u way.] Qa-3, D; way, will be more fully treated of, and their several styles impartially imitated, Qi, F.

8

Prose 1668-1691

An Essay of Dramatick Poesie

I

T was that memorable day, in the first Summer of the late War, when our Navy ingag'd the Dutch: a day wherein the two most mighty and best appointed Fleets which any age had ever seen, disputed the command of the greater half of the Globe, the commerce of Nations, and the riches of the Universe. While these vast floating bodies, on either side, mov'd against each other in parallel lines, and our Country men, under the happy conduct of his Royal Highness, went breaking, by little and little, into the line of the Enemies; the noise of the Cannon 10 from both Navies reach'd our ears about the City: so that all men, being alarm'd with it, and in a dreadful suspence of the event, which they knew was then deciding, every one went following the sound as his fancy led him; and leaving the Town almost empty, some took towards the Park, some cross the River, others down it; all seeking the noise in the depth of silence. Amongst the rest, it was the fortune of Eugenius, Crites, Lisideius and Neander, to be in company together: three of them persons whom their witt and Quality have made known to 20 all the Town: and whom I have chose to hide under these borrowed names, that they may not suffer by so ill a relation as 1 am going to make of their discourse. Taking then a Barge which a servant of Lisideius had provided for them, they made haste to shoot the Bridge, and left behind them that great fall of waters which hindred them from hearing what they desired: after which, having disingag'd themselves from many Vessels which rode at Anchor in the Thames, and almost blockt up the passage towards Greenwich, they order'd the Watermen to let fall their Oares more gently; and ao then every one favouring his own curiosity with a strict silence, 2 Dutch} D; Dutch Qi-3, F. 10 all] Qz-3, F, D; al Qi. iz they] Qg-g, D; we Qi, F. 13 led] Qi (corrected state), Qs-3, F, D; ed Qi (uncorrecled state).

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VIEW OF SOMERSET HOUSE So FROM Nouveau TheAtre de la See Of Dramatick P