have been unknown, wou'd have been deſpis'd, or wou'd have corrected his Style. Boileau applauded him, but 'twas in his firſt Satyrs, at a Time when the Taſte of that great Poet was not yet form'd. He was young, and in an Age when Perſons form a Judgment of Men from their Reputation, and not from their Writings. Beſides, Boileau was very partial both in his Encomiums and his Cenſures. He applauded Segrais, whoſe Works no Body reads; he abus'd Quinault, whoſe poetical Pieces every one has got by Heart, and is wholly ſilent upon La Fontaine. Waller, tho' a better Poet than Voiture, was not yet a finiſh'd Poet. The Graces breathe in ſuch of Waller's Worths as are writ in a tender Strain, but then they are languid thro' Negligence, and often disfigur'd with falſe Thoughts. The Engliſh had not, in his Time, attain'd the Art of correct Writing. But his ſerious Compoſitions exhibit a Strength and Vigour which cou'd not have been expected from the Softneſs and Effemi-
