the mutability of fortune, in the subsequent incidents attending the loves of Cymon and Iphigene. Dryden, in the introductory verses, has hazarded a more direct attack upon Collier, than his consciousness of having merited his accusations had yet permitted him to bring forward. CYMON AND IPHIGENIA. _Poeta loquitur_. Old as I am, for ladies love unfit, } The power of beauty I remember yet, } Which once inflamed my soul, and still inspires my wit. } If love be folly, the severe divine Has felt that folly, though he censures mine; Pollutes the pleasures of a chaste embrace, } Acts what I write, and propagates in grace, } With riotous excess, a priestly race. } Suppose him free, and that I forge the offence, He shewed the way, perverting first my sense; In malice witty, and with venom fraught, He makes me speak the things I never thought. Compute the gains of his ungoverned zeal; Ill suits his cloth the praise of railing well. The world will think that what we loosely write, Though now arraigned, he read with some delight; Because he seems to chew the cud again, When his broad comment makes the text too plain; And teaches more in one explaining page, Than all the double meanings of the stage.[219] What needs he paraphrase on what we mean? We were at worst but wanton; he's obscene. I, nor my fellows, nor myself excuse; But love's the subject of the comic muse; Nor can we write without it, nor would you A tale of only dry instruction view. Nor love is always of a vicious kind, But oft to virtuous acts inflames the mind, Awakes the sleepy vigour of the soul, And, brushing o'er, adds motion to the pool. Love, studious how to please, improves our parts With polished manners, and adorns with arts. Love first invented verse, and formed the rhime, The motion measured, harmonised the chime; To liberal acts enlarged the narrow soul'd, Softened the fierce, and made the coward bold; The world, when waste, he peopled with increase, And warring nations reconciled in peace. Ormond, the first, and all the fair may find, } In this one legend, to their fame designed, } When beauty fires the blood, how love exalts the mind. }