ity of the poetry; for there was enough of personal satire, and that immediately flowing from the keen pen of Dryden, to secure the attention both of friends and foes: but the parallel between the heroes of Scripture and the characters of the day, however striking at first, did not bear to be too long protracted. When the original comparison was made, its aptness at once pleased the imagination, and arrested the attention; but when prolonged in a second part, readers began to see there was little wit in continuing to draw out the allusion, till it consisted in nothing more than the invention of a Jewish name for a British author or statesman; the attempt at finding prototypes in Scripture for every modern character being necessarily abandoned. Besides, those who took it upon them to answer Dryden, had in general made use of the vehicle of satire which he had invented; and as, in the eyes of the public, the theme became stale and tarnished by repetition, his antagonists did him that injury by their stupidity, which their wit was unequal to accomplish. Add to all this, that whole lines, and even longer passages, not to mention images and sentiments, are by Tate, in his poverty of ideas, transferred from the first part of the satire to the second; † and we must allow, that the latter is deficient in the captivating grace of novelty. The second part of "Absalom and Achitophel" appeared about November 10th, 1682, in folio. Tonson is the publisher. Part of Achitophel's speech to Absalom, beginning, The crown's true heir, a prince severe and wise, is copied verbatim from the first part; and whole lines in many other places. ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL. PART SECOND. Since men, like beasts, each other's prey were made, * a While wealthy faction awed the wanting throne : © His rights to invade, his tributes to refuse,\ 14 As if from heavenly call this licence fell,< First edit. Goodness was e'en. And Absalom, to make his hopes succeed, * ט 21 Of flattering charms no longer stands in need; While fond of change, though ne'er so dearly bought, Our tribes outstrip the youth's ambitious thought~ His swiftest hopes with swifter homage meet, 24 And crowd their servile necks beneath his feet. 26 Thus to his aid while pressing tides repair, 24He mounts, and spreads his streamers in the air. 21 The charms of empire might his youth mislead, 25But what can our besotted Israel plead? 21 Swayed by a monarch, whose serene command Seems half the blessing of our promised land; Whose only grievance is excess of ease, Freedom our pain, and plenty our disease! Yet as all folly would lay claim to sense, "And wickedness ne'er wanted a pretence, With arguments they'd make their treason good, And righteous David's self with slanders load: That arts of foreign sway he did affect, And guilty Jebusites † from law protect, Whose very chiefs, convict, were never freed, Nay we have seen their sacrifices bleed! Accuser's infamy is urged in vain, 19 While in the bounds of sense they did contain; *First edit. Flatterie's. + Catholics. Note I. Such was the charge on pious Michal brought; * Ja 63 Quits heaven sometimes to bless the world below; Oh! when rebellious Israel's crimes at height, In heaven's remembrance, and prolong his reign! ↳ That from Dan's limits to Beersheba slew; †10 With gentler terror these our state o'er-ran,> Meanwhile a guard on modest Corah wait, 24 Well might he deem each peer. and prince his slave, * The queen, accused by racy against the king's life. + The great plague. § The fire of London. VOL. IX. Oates of being engaged in the conspi The Dutch wars. I See note II. as above. X Even vice in him was virtue-what sad fate, 94 as ८१ To have told his knowledge of the intrigue in gross, ‡ Note III. ད༠° 11 110 1112 115 ;་ C 119 |