tory of the “ Seven Champions of England,” are here referred to by the poet.

Note XVII.

Why lives he in the world's esteem,

Not one man's foe? and why then are not all men friends with

him?

Stan. 17, p. 235.

Otway, in this delineation of the duke of York's character, has chosen the topics of praise with due regard to truth, which he, like other writers who are anxious to gain or secure a patron, often disregards in his dedications. The bravery which the duke displayed in the early part of his life, the steadiness and sincerity of his friendships, and the amiableness of his domestic character, all which are allowed even by his enemies, are properly made the principal features in the portrait. In his subsequent life, steadiness and resolution deserted him, when he had most need of them,

Note XVIII.

Then did the English lion roar,

While the Belgian couchant lay, &c.

Stan. 18, p. 236.

In 1664, war was declared against the United Provinces, and the duke proceeded to the coast of Holland, with 114 ships of war, besides fire-ships. He encountered the Dutch fleet, commanded by Obdam, and fought the bloody battle, mentioned in the succeeding stanza, on the 3d of June, 1665. Obdam's ship blew up, and nineteen others were sunk or taken. The victors returned to port with the loss of only one ship, and Admiral Lawson, who died shortly after of his wounds.

Note XIX.

But when the messengers did mandates bring
For his retreat to foreign land,

Since sent from the relenting hand_

Of the most loving Brother, kindest King.

Stan. 19, p. 237.

The commotion which the popish plot excited in England, and the danger to which the king saw himself exposed from

it's astonishing influence upon men's minds, aroused all his energies to meet a crisis so pregnant with difficulty. As a preparatory measure, he desired his brother to withdraw from the country; that it might not be supposed his measures were influenced by one whose character and religion were so unpopular. The duke, fearful that so sudden a retreat would imply a consciousness of guilt, requested an order, signed by the king; which was complied with. The king expressing his sorrow that it should be necessary for the duke's good, and his own service; and declaring that no absence, nor any thing else, should alter his favourable sentiments. The duke retired first to Holland, thence to Brussels.

Note XX.

And there so tenderly embrac'd,

All griev'd by sympathy to see them part,

And their kind pains touch'd each by-stander's heart.

Stan. 21, p. 239,

Otway appears, from a preceding verse, to have been present at the parting of the two brothers, and therefore, probably describes the scene with accuracy; although it differs from the report of other authors*. In the second part of "Absalom and Achitophel," the same scene is still more pathetically painted:

Thus he, who, prodigal of blood and ease,
A royal life expos'd to winds and seas,
At once contending with the waves and fire,
And heading danger in the wars of Tyre,
Inglorious now forsakes his native sand,
And, like an exile, quits the promis'd land.
Our monarch scarce from pressing tears refrains,
And painfully his royal state maintains,
Who now, embracing on th' extremest shore,
Almost revokes what he enjoin'd before.

Burnet says, "the duke was sent away upon very short warning, not without many tears shed by him at parting, though the king shed none.”

Hist. of bis Own Times, vol. ii.

WINDSOR CASTLE.

IN A MONUMENT TO OUR LATE SOVEREIGN

KING CHARLES II.

OF EVER BLESSED MEMORY.

Dum juga montis aper, fluvios dum piscis amabit, Dumque thymo pascentur apes, dum rore cicada; Semper Honos, Nomenque tuum, Laudesque manebunt. Si canimus sylvas, sylvæ sint Consule dignæ.

VIRGIL, ECL. IV. & V.