English drama (Comedy); English drama -- 17th century
Dryden, whose Memory will be honour'd when I have no Remembrance."
His attachment to his friends, indeed, appears to have been a prominent
characteristic of his disposition. Major Pack, in a short memoir
prefixed to the _Posthumous Works_, declares that "he was as impatient
to hear his Friend calumniated, as some other people would be to find
themselves defamed. I have more than once," he adds, "been a witness of
that honourable Tenderness in his Temper."
His friendship with Pope is one of the best known incidents in his
life. It commenced in 1704, when Wycherley was sixty-four and Pope but
sixteen years of age, and, although at times interrupted, terminated
only with the death of the former in 1715. Their correspondence
displays on both sides the marks of sincere regard. Wycherley's
generous appreciation the young genius repaid with gratitude and
affection, which, however, in the moments even of its warmest ardour,
never degenerated into servility. The last published letter between
them is dated May 2, 1710. It was succeeded by a period of prolonged
estrangement. During the preceding year a silence of unusual duration
on the part of Wycherley had aroused the anxiety of Pope, who alludes
to it, in his correspondence with their common friend Cromwell, in
terms of heart-felt concern. Wycherley had been dangerously ill, and
Cromwell had acquainted Pope with the news of his recovery.
"You have delivered me," he replies, under date of Oct. 19, 1709,
"from more anxiety than he imagines me capable of on his account, as
I am convinced by his long silence. However the love of some things
rewards itself, as of Virtue, and of Mr. Wycherley. I am surprised at
the danger you tell me he has been in, and must agree with you that
our nation would have lost in him as much wit and probity, as would
have remained (for aught I know) in the rest of it. My concern for
his friendship will excuse me (since I know you honour him so much,
and since you know I love him above all men) if I vent a part of my
uneasiness to you, and tell you that there has not been wanting one to
insinuate malicious untruths of me to Mr. Wycherley, which, I fear,
may have had some effect upon him."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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