Page:The Dunciad - Alexander Pope (1743).djvu/54

Rh in concert confess, "That some men of good understanding value him for his rhymes." And (p. 17.) "That he has got, like Mr. Bays in the Rehearsal, (that is, like Mr. Dryden) a notable knack at rhyming, and writing smooth verse."

Of his Essay on Man, numerous were the praises bestowed by his avowed enemies, in the imagination that the same was not written by him, as it was printed anonymously.

Thus sang of it even

"Auspicious bard! while all admire thy strain, All but the selfish, ignorant, and vain; I, whom no bribe to servile flattory drew, Must pay the tribute to thy merit due: Thy Muse, sublime, significant, and clear, Alike informs the Soul, and charms the Ear," &c.

And

thus wrote to the unknown author, on the first publication of the said Essay: "I must own, after the reception which the vilest and most immoral ribaldry hath lately met with, I was surprised to see what I had long despaired, a performance deserving the name of a poet. Such, Sir, is your work. It is, indeed, above all commendation, and ought to have been published in an age and country more worthy of it. If my testimony be of weight any where, you are sure to have it in the amplest manner," ''&c. &c. &c''.

Thus we see every one of his works hath been extolled by one or other of his most inveterate Enemies; and to the success of them all they do