Alexander Pope

“ DRYDEN understood no Greek nor Latin.
Mr. Dryden was once, I have heard, at Westminster School: Dr. Busby would have whipt him for so childish a Paraphrase [10] . The meanest Pedant in England would whip a Lubber of twelve for construing so absurdly [11] . The Translator is mad, every line betrays his Stupidity [12] . The faults are innumerable, and convince me that Mr. Dryden did not, or would not understand his Author [13] . This shews how fit Mr. D. may be to translate Homer! ”

“ His very christianity may be questioned [2] . He ought to expect more severity than other men, as he is most unmerciful in his own reflections on others [3] . With as good a right as his Holiness, he sets up for poetical infallibility [4] .
Mr. DRYDEN only a Versifier.
His whole Libel is all bad matter, beautify'd (which is all that can be said of it) with good metre [5] . Mr. Dryden's genius did not appear in anything more than his Versification, and whether he is to be ennobled for that only, is a question [6] .
Mr. DRYDEN's Virgil. ”

“ A man ought to value his Reputation more than Money; and not to hope that those who can read for themselves, will be imposed upon, merely by a partially and unseasonably celebrated Name [1] . Poetis quidlibet audendi shall be Mr. Dryden's Motto, tho' it should extend to Picking of Pockets [2] .
Names bestow'd on Mr. DRYDEN.
An Ape] A crafty Ape drest up in a gaudy gown—Whips put into an Ape's paw, to play pranks with—None but Apish and Papish brats will heed him [3] . ”