author:John Dryden

“ Are not excus'd for what we owe to thee:
For so men from Religion are not freed.
But, from the Altars, Cloud must rise,
Though Heaven it self doth nothing need;
And though the Gods don't want, an Earthly Sacrifice. ”

“ As if on wings of Victory he flew
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He fought secure of fortune as of fame,
Till by new Maps the Island might be shown,
Of Conquests which he strew'd where e're he came,
Thick as the Galaxy with Stars is sown. ”

“ Nor hath he left us Prisoners to our Isle;
Under the Tropick is our language spoke,
And part of Flanders hath receiv'd our yoke.
From Civil Broils he did us disingage,
Found nobler objects for our Martial rage;
And with wise Conduct to his Country show'd
Their Ancient way of conquering abroad.
Ungrateful then, if we no Tears allow
To him that gave us Peace and Empire too.
Princes that fear'd him, grieve, concern'd to see
No pitch of glory from the Grave is free. ”

“ And, with his Poem, a new Speech presents.
Hail then thou matchless Bard, thou great Unknown,
That give your Countrey Fame, yet shun your own!
In vain———for ev'ry where your Praise you find,
And not to meet it, you must shun Mankind. ”

“ Such great Actions and Lives deserving rather to be the Subjects of the Noblest Pens and most Divine Phansies, than of such small beginners and weak essayers in Poetry, as my self. Against these dangerous Prejudices, there remains no other shield than the universal Esteem and Authority, which your judgment and approbation carries with it. The right you have to them, Sir, is not only upon the account of the Relation you had to this great Person, nor of the General favour which all Arts receive from you ”