He looks upon God's gospel as a foolish fable, like the Pope, to whom he is a pitiful purveyor[1]. 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.
Tonson calls it Dryden's Virgil, to shew that this is not that Virgil so admir'd in the Augustæan age; but a Virgil of another stamp, a silly, impertinent, nonsensical writer[7]. None but a Bavius, a Mævius, or a Bathyllus carp'd at Virgil; and none but such unthinking Vermin admire his Translator[8]. It is true, soft and easy lines might become Ovid's Epistles or Art of Love—But Virgil, who is all great and majestic, &c. requires strength of lines, weight of words, and closeness of expressions; not an ambling Muse running on Carpet-ground, and shod as lightly as a Newmarket-racer.—He has numberless faults in his Author's meaning, and in propriety of expression[9].
Mr. 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! A mistake in a single letter might fall on the Printer well enough, but εἳχωρ for ἰχὼρ must be the error of the Author: Nor had he art enough to correct it at the Press[14]. Mr. Dryden writes for the Court Ladies.—He writes for the Ladies, and not for use[15].
The Translator puts in a little Burlesque now and then into Virgil, for a Ragout to his cheated Subscribers[16].
