before which few men are conspicuous much to their advantage. He
was now, however, in parliament and at court; and, if he spent part
of his time in privacy, it is not unreasonable to suppose that he
endeavoured the improvement of his mind as well as his fortune.

That Clarendon might misjudge the motive of his retirement is the
more probable, because he has evidently mistaken the commencement of
his poetry, which he supposes him not to have attempted before
thirty. As his first pieces were perhaps not printed, the
succession of his compositions was not known; and Clarendon, who
cannot be imagined to have been very studious of poetry, did not
rectify his first opinion by consulting Waller's book.

Clarendon observes, that he was introduced to the wits of the age by
Dr. Morley; but the writer of his life relates that he was already
among them, when, hearing a noise in the street, and inquiring the
cause, they found a son of Ben Jonson under an arrest. This was
Morley, whom Waller set free at the expense of one hundred pounds,
took him into the country as director of his studies, and then
procured him admission into the company of the friends of
literature. Of this fact Clarendon had a nearer knowledge than the
biographer, and is therefore more to be credited.

The account of Waller's parliamentary eloquence is seconded by
Burnet, who, though he calls him "the delight of the House," adds,
that "he was only concerned to say that which should make him be
applauded, he never laid the business of the House to heart, being a
vain and empty, though a witty man."

Of his insinuation and flattery it is not unreasonable to believe