and remain unknown, whilest he is exposed through his great Lustre.
I shall never envy what I desire not, nor am I altogether so doting, as
to believe the Issues of my own Brain to exceed all others, and to be so
very fond of them, (as most Authors, especially Poets, are) as to think
them without fault, or be so blinded as not to see their blemishes, and
that they are excelled by others; yet since Poems are like Children,
it may be allowed me to be naturally inclined to have some good Opinion
of my own, and not to believe this Poem altogether despicable or
ridiculous. The Ancients say, that every thing hath two handles, I have
laid hold of that opposite to the Author of _Absalom_: As to Truth, who
has the better hold, let the World judge; and it is no new thing, for
the same Persons, to be ill or well represented, by several parties.
I hope then, I may be excused as well as another, since I have told my
Dreams with the same Liberty, for the fancies of Poets are no more than
waking Dreams, and never imposed as dogmatical precepts, which are more
agreeable to truth or falshood, or according to the Poets Language,
which proceed from the Horny or Ivory Port, will be sentenced according
to the Humour and Interest of several Parties who in spite of our Teeth
will be our judges. Where I have been satyrical, 'tis without Malice or
Revenge; and though I brag not of my Talent therein, I could have said
much worse, of some Enemies to our _Jewish_ Heroe. He that will lash
others, ought not to be angry if the like be returned to himself: _Lex
talionis_ is a general and natural Law. I call not this an Answer to
_Absalom_, I have nothing to do with him, he was a Rebel to his Father;
my _Azaria_ a good Son, influenced by a worthy and Loyal Counsellor, and
_Achitophel_ and _Hushai_ were men of contrary Opinions, and different
Principles: And if Poets (as it is often brought for their excuse, when
they vary from known History) ought to represent Persons as they ought
to be, I have not transcurred the Precepts of Poetry, and _Absalom_ is
not so good a Poem, because his Character is not so agreeable to the