Everybody has heard
the answer our poet made Charles II; who asked him how his poem
upon Cromwell came to be finer than his panegyric upon himself.
'Your majesty,' replies Waller, 'knows, that poets always
succeed best in fiction.'
THE STORY OF PHOEBUS AND DAPHNE APPLIED.
The French claim this [by Mr. Waller] as belonging to them. To
whomsoever it belongs the thought is finely turned.
NIGHT THOUGHTS. BY DR. YOUNG.
These seem to be the best of the collection; from whence only
the two first are taken. They are spoken of differently, either
with exaggerated applause or contempt, as the reader's
disposition is either turned to mirth or melancholy.
SATIRE I.
Young's Satires were in higher reputation when published, than
they stand in at present. He seems fonder of dazzling than
pleasing; of raising our admiration for his wit, than our
dislike of the follies he ridicules.
A PASTORAL BALLAD.
These ballads of Mr. Shenstone are chiefly commended for the
natural simplicity of the thoughts and the harmony of the
versification.
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