The Dramatic Works of John Dryden Vol. I. - With a Life of the Author | Page 4

the fate and character of the individual. How far this end has been
attained, is not for the Editor to guess, especially when, as usual at the
close of a work, he finds he is possessed of double the information he
had when he commenced it. The kindness of Mr. Octavius Gilchrist,
who undertook a journey to Northamptonshire to examine the present
state of Rushton, where Dryden often lived, and of Mr. Finlay of
Glasgow, who favoured the Editor with the use of some original
editions, falls here to be gratefully acknowledged.
In collecting the poetry of Dryden, some hymns translated from the
service of the Catholic Church were recovered, by the favour of
Captain MacDonogh of the Inverness Militia.[2] As the body of the
work was then printed off, they were inserted in the Life of the Author;
but should a second impression of this edition be required by the public,
they shall be transferred to their proper place. To the Letters of Dryden,

published in Mr. Malone's edition of his prose works, the Editor has
been enabled to add one article, by the favour of Mrs. White of
Bownanhall, Gloucestershire. Those preserved at Knowles were
examined at the request of a noble friend, and the contents appeared
unfit for publication. Dryden's translations of Fresnoy's Art of Painting,
and of the Life of Xavier, are inserted without abridgment, for reasons
which are elsewhere alleged.[3] From the version of Maimbourg's
"History of the League," there is an extract given, which may be
advantageously read along with the Duke of Guise, and the Vindication
of that play. The prefaces and dedications are, of course, prefixed to the
pieces to which they belong; but those who mean to study them with
reference to theatrical criticism, will do well to follow the order
recommended by Mr. Malone.[4]
Several pieces published in Derrick's edition of Dryden's poetry, being
obviously spurious, are here published separately from his authentic
poetry, and with a suitable note of suspicion prefixed to each. They
might indeed have been altogether discarded without diminishing the
value of the work. Some account might be here given of the various
editions of Dryden's poems; but notices of this kind have been liberally
scattered through the Life and preliminary matter.
Upon the whole, it is hoped, that as the following is the first complete
edition of the Works of Dryden, it will be found, in accuracy of text
and copiousness of illustration, not altogether unworthy of the time,
labour, and expense which have been ungrudgingly bestowed upon an
object so important to English literature.
FOOTNOTES
[1] The octavo edition of the "Annus Mirabilis" did not fall into my
hands till the volume containing it was printed off. It contains two
important variations: as, stanza 4, the year, read THEIR year; stanza 53,
their main, read MEN; both of which the reader is requested to correct.
Also an erratum in verse 104, line 2, where the word fortune should be
VIRTUE.
[2] By the hands of Mrs. Jackson, who has honoured me with a note,

stating, that they are mentioned in Butler's "Tour through Italy;" that
after Butler's death, the translations passed into the hands of the
celebrated Dr. Alban, whence they were transferred to those of the
present possessor.
[3] Vol. i. p. 283; vol. xvii.
[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