[Footnote 90: The author alludes to the privilege, anciently used, of throwing an accentuation on the last syllable, of such a word as _noble_, so as to make it sound _nobley_. An instance may be produced from our author's poem on the Coronation: Some lazy ages, lost in sleep and ease, No action have to busy chronicles. ] [Footnote 91: These translations are, however, in fourteen, not twelve syllables; a vile hobbling sort of measure, used also by Phayr, and other old translators.] [Footnote 92: This is one of Dryden's hasty and inaccurate averments. The ancient dramatic authors were particularly well acquainted with nautical terms, and applied them with great accuracy. See a note in Gifford's excellent edition of Massinger, vol. II. p. 229.] [Footnote 93: We need not here suppose, that Dryden speaks particularly of those to whom he had offered panygyricks: undoubtedly, he had written poems on many subjects, which, remaining unpublished, have not descended to us.] [Footnote 94: Understood in the large sense, of the regulated exercise of the imagination.] [Footnote 95: Commonly called a pun.] [Footnote 96: These notes are all retained in this edition, as well as the smaller foot notes, by which the poet thought proper to explain difficult passages. They are distinguished by the addition of his name.] [Footnote 97: In the early editions of the _Annus Mirabilis_, the verses to the Duchess are here inserted.] ANNUS MIRABILIS; THE YEAR OF WONDERS, 1666. 1. In thriving arts long time had Holland grown, Crouching at home and cruel when abroad; Scarce leaving us the means to claim our own; Our king they courted, and our merchants awed.[98] 2. Trade, which like blood should circularly flow, Stopped in their channels, found its freedom lost; Thither the wealth of all the world did go, And seemed but shipwrecked on so base a coast. 3. For them alone the heavens had kindly heat, In eastern quarries ripening precious dew;[99] For them the Idumæan balm did sweat, And in hot Ceylon spicy forests grew. 4. The sun but seemed the labourer of the year; Each waxing moon supplied her watery store,[100] To swell those tides, which from the Line did bear Their brim-full vessels to the Belgian shore. 5. Thus, mighty in her ships, stood Carthage long, And swept the riches of the world from far; Yet stooped to Rome, less wealthy, but more strong; And this may prove our second Punic war.[101] 6. What peace can be, where both to one pretend? (But they more diligent, and we more strong,) Or if a peace, it soon must have an end; For they would grow too powerful, were it long. 7. Behold two nations then, engaged so far, That each seven years the fit must shake each land; Where France will side to weaken us by war, Who only can his vast designs withstand. 8.