first notice, with some degree of discontent, as it seems, in Prior, who probably knew that his own part of the performance was the beft. He had not, however, much reafon to complain; for he came to London, and obtained fuch notice, that (in 1691) he was fent to the congrefs at the Hague as fecretary to the embaffy. In this affembly of princes and nobles, to which Europe has perhaps fcarcely feen any thing equal, was formed the grand alliance againft Lewis; which at laft did not produce effects proportionate to the magnificence of the tranfaction.

The conduct of Prior, in this fplendid initiation into publick bufinefs, was fo pleafing to king William, that he made

him one of the gentlemen of his bedchamber; and he is fuppofed to have paffed fome of the next years in the cultivation of literature and poetry.

The death of queen Mary (in 1695) produced a fubject for all the writers: perhaps no funeral was ever fo poetically attended. Dryden, indeed, as a man difcountenanced and deprived, was filent; but scarcely any other maker of verses omitted to bring his tribute of tuneful forrow. An emulation of elegy was univerfal. Maria's praise was not confined to the English language, but fills. a great part of the Musa Anglicana.

Prior, who was both a poet and a courtier, was not likely to miss this opportunity of refpect. He wrote a long A 4

ode,

ode, which was prefented to the king, by whom it was not likely to be ever

read.

In two years he was fecretary to another embaffy at the treaty of Ryfwick (in 1697); and next year had the fame office at the court of France, where he is faid to have been confidered with great distinction.

As he was one day furveying the apartments at Verfailles, being fhewn the Victories of Lewis, painted by Le Brun, and afked whether the king of England's palace had any fuch decorations; The monuments of my Mafter's actions, faid he, are to be feen every-where but in his own houfe. The pictures of Le Brun are not only in themfelves fufficiently

3

ficiently oftentatious, but were explained by inscriptions fo arrogant, that Boileau and Racine thought it neceffary to make them more fimple.

He was in the following year at Loo with the king; from whom, after a long audience, he carried orders to England, and upon his arrival became underfecretary of state in the earl of Jerfey's office; a poft which he did not retain long, because Jerfey was removed; but he was foon made commiffioner of Trade.

This year (1700) produced one of his longest and most splendid compofitions, the Carmen Seculare, in which he exhaufts all his powers of celebration. I mean not to accufe him of flattery;

he

he probably thought all that he writ, and retained as much veracity as can be properly exacted from a poet profeffedly encomiaftick. King William fupplied copious materials for either verse or profe. His whole life had been action, and no man ever denied him the refplendent qualities of fteady refolution and perfonal courage. He was really in Prior's mind what he reprefents him in his verses; he confidered him as a hero, and was accuftomed to fay, that he praised others in compliance with the fashion, but that in celebrating king William he followed his inclination. To Prior gratitude would dictate praife, which reafon would not refufe.

Among