critical abilities." He seems to have been more delighted with
praise than pained by censure, and instead of slackening, quickened
his career. Having in two years produced ten books of "Prince
Arthur," in two years more (1697) he sent into the world "King
Arthur" in twelve. The provocation was now doubled, and the
resentment of wits and critics may be supposed to have increased in
proportion. He found, however, advantages more than equivalent to
all their outrages. He was this year made one of the physicians in
ordinary to King William, and advanced by him to the honour of
knighthood, with the present of a gold chaise and medal. The
malignity of the wits attributed his knighthood to his new poem, but
King William was not very studious of poetry; and Blackmore perhaps
had other merit, for he says in his dedication to "Alfred," that "he
had a greater part in the succession of the house of Hanover than
ever he had boasted."

What Blackmore could contribute to the Succession, or what he
imagined himself to have contributed, cannot now be known. That he
had been of considerable use, I doubt not but he believed, for I
hold him to have been very honest; but he might easily make a false
estimate of his own importance. Those whom their virtue restrains
from deceiving others, are often disposed by their vanity to deceive
themselves. Whether he promoted the Succession or not, he at least
approved it, and adhered invariably to his principles and party
through his whole life.

His ardour of poetry still continued; and not long after (1700) he
published a "Paraphrase on the Book of Job, and other parts of the
Scripture." This performance Dryden, who pursued him with great
malignity, lived long enough to ridicule in a Prologue.