not written a hundred verses except one copy of Latin verses in
praise of a friend's book." He thinks, and with some reason, that
from such a performance perfection cannot be expected; but he finds
another reason for the severity of his censurers, which he expresses
in language such as Cheapside easily furnished. "I am not free of
the Poet's Company, having never kissed the governor's hands: mine
is therefore not so much as a permission poem, but a downright
interloper. Those gentlemen, who carry on their poetical trade in a
joint stock, would certainly do what they could to sink and ruin an
unlicensed adventurer, notwithstanding I disturbed none of their
factories, nor imported any goods they have ever dealt in." He had
lived in the City till he had learned its note.

That "Prince Arthur" found many readers is certain; for in two years
it had three editions, a very uncommon instance of favourable
reception, at a time when literary curiosity was yet confined to
particular classes of the nation. Such success naturally raised
animosity; and Dennis attacked it by a formal criticism, more
tedious and disgusting than the work which he condemns. To this
censure may be opposed the approbation of Locke, and the admiration
of Molyneux, which are found in their printed "Letters." Molyneux
is particularly delighted with the song of Mopas, which is therefore
subjoined to this narrative.

It is remarked by Pope, that "what raises the hero, often sinks the
man." Of Blackmore is may be said that, as the poet sinks, the man
rises; the animadversions of Dennis, insolent and contemptuous as
they were, raised in him no implacable resentment; he and his critic
were afterwards friends; and in one of his latter works he praises
Dennis "as equal to Boileau in poetry, and superior to him in