[4] Which is, the Essay of Dramatic Poesy, the Defence of that Essay, the Preface to the Mock Astrologer, the Essay on Heroic Plays, the Defence of the Epilogue to the Second Part of the Conquest of Granada, the Grounds of Criticism in Tragedy, and the Answer to Rymer. CONTENTS OF VOLUME FIRST. The Life of John Dryden SECT. I. Preliminary remarks on the Poetry of England before the Civil Wars--The Life of Dryden from his Birth till the Restoration--His Early Poems, including the Annus Mirabilis SECT. II. Revival of the Drama at the Restoration--Heroic Plays-- Comedies of Intrigue--Commencement of Dryden's Dramatic Career--The Wild Gallant--Rival Ladies--Indian Queen and Emperor--Dryden's Marriage-- Essay on Dramatic Poetry, and subsequent Controversy with Sir Robert Howard--The Maiden Queen--The Tempest--Sir Martin Mar-all--The Mock Astrologer--The Royal Martyr--The two Parts of the Conquest of Granada-- Dryden's situation at this period SECT. III. Heroic Plays--The Rehearsal--Marriage à la Mode--The Assignation--Controversy with Clifford--with Leigh--with Ravenscroft-- Massacre of Amboyna--State of Innocence SECT. IV. Dryden's controversy with Settle--with Rochester--He is assaulted in Rose Street--Aureng-Zebe--Dryden meditates an Epic Poem-- All for Love--Limberham--Oedipus--Troilus and Cressida--The Spanish Friar--Dryden supposed to be in opposition to the Court SECT. V. Dryden engages in Politics--Absalom and Achitophel, Part First --The Medal--MacFlecknoe--Absalom and Achitophel, Part Second--The Duke of Guise SECT. VI. Threnodia Augustalis--Albion and Albanius--Dryden becomes a Catholic--The Controversy of Dryden with Stillingfleet--The Hind and Panther--Life of St. Francis Xavier--Consequences of the Revolution to Dryden--Don Sebastian--King Arthur--Cleomenes--Love Triumphant SECT. VII. State of Dryden's Connections in Society after the Revolution--Juvenal and Persius--Smaller Pieces--Eleanora--Third Miscellany--Virgil--Ode to St. Cecilia--Dispute with Milbourne--with Blackmore--Fables--The Author's Death and Funeral--His Private Character--Notices of his Family SECT. VIII. The State of Dryden's Reputation at his Death, and afterwards--The general Character of his Mind--His Merit as a Dramatist --As a Lyrical Poet--As a Satirist--As a Narrative Poet--As a Philosophical and Miscellaneous Poet--As a Translator--As a Prose Author--As a Critic THE LIFE OF JOHN DRYDEN. VOL. I. THE LIFE OF JOHN DRYDEN. * * * * * SECTION I. _Preliminary Remarks on the Poetry of England before the Civil Wars-- The Life of Dryden from his Birth till the Restoration--His early Poems, including the "Annus Mirabilis."_