Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/28

18 a corrupt taste which has not excluded the works of Dryden from general circulation. Indeed, making a reasonable allowance for the common language and usages of the period, Oldham is entitled to credit, not only for having written so little that is offensive in this way, but for the general tendency of his writings in an opposite direction. The end he had in view should be taken into account in forming an estimate of the means he employed. If he descended to coarseness it was not to stimulate a prurient or depraved appetite, but to turn against vice its own weapons. The licentiousness of the age, the servility of pandering authors, the neglect of literature, the pride and profligacy of the nobility, and the degradation of the lower orders of the clergy, are the topics upon which he gives free scope to his honest satire; and he knew that if he treated them with delicacy and reserve he must inevitably fail in making the impression he desired. He was too much in earnest to pick and choose his phrases, or trim his versification. He thought only of the matter, and was indifferent to the manner. As he has himself frankly acknowledged, the indignation is everywhere paramount to the art:—

In the core of his bold and vehement Satires, there is a sound and permanent material which may be safely liberated from incidental impurities, and which it is the design of the present volume to preserve. The poems retained in this collection comprise the whole of his published works, with the exception of a few pieces which may be omitted with advantage to his fame, and would be productive of no pleasure to his readers. The principle upon which they have been excluded can hardly require any justification; but it is proper to add that no liberties have been taken with the poems, beyond the exercise of that discretion which has been found indispensable in the case of Rochester and others, and which is sanctioned by an evident necessity. The text, which in all former editions is full of errors and corruptions, has been carefully revised throughout.