218 198. Racine.

This is the most serious reproach that can be addressed to

218 200. For Benserade (1612–1691) see Saintsbury, Hist. French Lit. p. 278. He had a knack, in composing masques for the courtiers, of identifying the mythological characters of the piece with the actual characters of those who personated them.

219 183.

Scott (edition of Dryden, 15. 263) prints 'Or,' which I have changed to 'Nor.'

220 201. Segrais is now chiefly remembered for his translation of the Eneid, to which Dryden frequently refers.

220 207. The French and English were allies in the war against Holland.

220 213. Dôle, Salins, and Besançon, the three principal cities of Franche-Comté, reconquered by the French in 1674.

Blessings of peace. Charles II made peace with the Dutch in 1674. 221 215. In 1672 was formed a league offensive to France, into which entered Spain, Denmark, Holland, the Emperor, and all of Germany except Bavaria and Hanover.

221 215.

Now let, etc. Does this refer to the fall of Shaftesbury (November, 1673)?

221 220. Boutefeus. "A Gallicism for incendiary; in Dryden's time word of good reputation, but is now obsolete." (Scott's note.) 222 235. Pope has imitated these lines, Essay on Criticism 739-744:

it was

Content, if hence the unlearned their wants may view,

The learned reflect on what before they knew;

Careless of censure, nor too fond of fame;

Still pleased to praise, yet not afraid to blame;
Averse alike to flatter, or offend;

Not free from faults, nor yet too vain to mend.

INDEX.

INDEX.

[The only proper names admitted are those of authors, actual or putative, and their
works. Where, in the translation from Boileau, English names have been substituted
for the French, they are referred to by the corresponding line of the French. H. stands
for Horace's Art of Poetry, V. for Vida's, and B. for Boileau's. Numbers enclosed in
square brackets point to a reference merely, and will usually be found in the notes.]