Page:Annus Mirabilis - Dryden (1688).djvu/8

 a Play for me, and now, instead of an Acknowledgment, I have given you a greater, in the Correction of a Poem. But since you are to bear this Persecution, I will at least give you the encouragement of a Martyr, you could never suffer in a nobler cause. For I have chosen the most heroick Subject which any Poet could desire: I have taken upon me to describe the motives, the beginning, progress and successes, of a most just and necessary War; in it, the care, management and prudence of our King; the conduct and valour of a Royal Admiral, and of two incomparable Generals; the invincible courage of our Captains and Seamen; and three glorious Victories, the result of all. After this, I have, in the Fire, the most deplorable, but withal the greatest Argument that can be imagin'd; the destruction being so swift, so sudden, so vast and miserable, as nothing can parallel in Story. The former part of this Poem, relating to the War, is but a due expiation for my not serving my King and Country in it. All Gentlemen are almost oblig'd to it: And I know no reason we should give that advantage to the Commonalty of England to be formost in brave actions, which the Nobless of France would never suffer in their Peasants. I should not have written this but to a Person, who has been ever forward to appear in all Employments, whither his Honour and Generosity have call'd him. The later part of my Poem, which describes the Fire, I owe first to the Piety and Fatherly Affection of our Monarch to his suffering Subjects; and, in the second place, to the Courage, Loyalty, and Magnanimity of the City; both which were so conspicuous, that I have wanted words to celebrate them as