[15] In the "Staple of News," act iii. scene 2, Jonson talks of the miracles done by the Jesuits in Japan and China, as current articles of intelligence. [16] In the Dedication to the Queen, this is stated with a gravity suitable to the occasion. "The reverend author of this Life, in his dedication to his Most Christian Majesty, affirms, that France was owing for him to the intercession of St. Francis Xavier. That Anne of Austria, his mother, after twenty years of barrenness, had recourse to heaven, by her fervent prayers, to draw down that blessing, and addressed her devotions, in a particular manner, to this holy apostle of the Indies. I know not, madam, whether I may presume to tell the world, that your Majesty has chosen this great saint for one of your celestial patrons, though I am sure you will never be ashamed of owning so glorious an intercessor; not even in a country where the doctrine of the holy church is questioned, and those religious addresses ridiculed. Your Majesty, I doubt not, has the inward satisfaction of knowing, that such pious prayers have not been unprofitable to you; and the nation may one day come to understand, how happy it will be for them to have a son of prayers ruling over them." [17] Vol. xvi. [18] _Ibid_. [19] _Ibid_. [20] _Ibid_. [21] "In the Bodleian Catalogue another work is attributed to our author, on very slight grounds: 'An Exposition of the Doctrine of the Catholic Church,' translated from Bossuet, Bishop of Meaux, and published at London in 1685. The only authority for attributing this translation to Dryden, should seem to have been the following note in Bishop Barlow's handwriting, at the bottom of the title-page of the copy belonging to the Bodleian Library: "'By Mr. Dryden, then only a poet, now a papist too: may be, he was a papist before, but not known till of late.' "This book had belonged to Bishop Barlow, who died in 1691."--MALONE. [22] "Before the beginning of every canonical hour, he always said the hymn of '_Veni, Creator Spiritus_;' and it was observed that while he said it, his countenance was enlightened, as if the Holy Ghost, whom he invoked, was visibly descended on him."--Vol. xvi. [23][I have received a valuable communication as to Dryden's Hymns, which will be noticed in its proper place.--ED.] [24] This line alone speaks Dryden in every syllable. [25] I subjoin the original hymn, which is supposed to have been composed by Lactantius. _Ut queant, laxis resonare fibris, Mira gestorum, famuli, tuorum, Solve polluti labii meatum, Sancte Joannes_! _Nunciens, celso veniens Olympo, Te, Patri, magnum fore nasciturum, Nomen, et vitæ seriem gerendæ, Ordine promit_. _Ille promissi dubius superni, Perdidit promptæ modulos loquelæ; Sed reformasti gemitus peremptæ Organa vocis_. _Ventris abstruso recubans cubili, Senseras regem, thalamo manentem; Hinc Parens nati meritis uterque Abdita pandit_.