He seldom indeed fetches an amorous sentiment from the depths of
science; his thoughts are for the most part easily understood, and
his images such as the superfices of nature readily supplies; he has
a just claim to popularity, because he writes to common degrees of
knowledge; and is free at least from philosophical pedantry, unless
perhaps the end of a song to the Sun may be excepted, in which he is
too much a Copernican. To which may be added the simile of the
"palm" in the verses "on her passing through a crowd;" and a line in
a more serious poem on the Restoration, about vipers and treacle,
which can only be understood by those who happen to know the
composition of the Theriaca.

His thoughts are sometimes hyperbolical and his images unnatural


The plants admire,
No less than those of old did Orpheus' lyre;
If she sit down, with tops all tow'rds her bow'd,
They round about her into arbours crowd;
Or if she walks, in even ranks they stand,
Like some well-marshall'd and obsequious band.


In another place:


While in the park I sing, the listening deer
Attend my passion, and forget to fear:
When to the beeches I report my flame,