Wisdom was our Security, as his Wit will ever be our Delight. 'Tis pity that the private Inftitutions of Mechanics fhou'd rob the World of having all his Works together; Not, that we can in Juftice refume what we generously give away. There are more of his Works which are too well known to the World to need being mention'd here; and if fome of thefe have feen Light, without his Knowledge, 'twas by the Perfidioufness of some about him, whom he employ'd to engross what he writ: But being all corrected by his own Hand, I thought it wou'd not be unacceptable to the World to fee them again, fince better dreft, or otherwife at leaft; For, Sir Charles Sedley had that Felicity of Thought, that Solidity of Judgment, that he cou'd altér, but rarely mend. If there is any thing that suits not with the Gravity of fome Nice, or rather Supercilious Pretenders to Reformation, it is hop'd the Generous will impute them to the Freedom of thofe Happy Days, when he was Young, and the Kingdom bleft in a long-wifh'd for Return of their Natural Prince: So I leave the Judicious and Ingenious, the Candid and the Gay, to be charm'd and improv'd; the Captious, and Cenforious, to the Serpent and the File. It It may now be expected I thou'd fay fomething of my self, but I am as unwilling to give an ill Character of my felf, as of any other particular Perfon whatever. That common Method of begging Pardon of Mankind, whenever we appear in Print, I think has more of Self-conceit, Pride and Hypocrifie in it, than the Generality of People are aware of. The Affinity between Sir Charles Sedley and me, gave the firft Honour of his Acquaintance; and his own Candour and Indulgence continued me in it during that Interval of Peace we have fince enjoy'd. His Character is too well known to be endeavour'd to be drawn by me: My Vanity is not great enough to undertake it; His own Merits have fhewn him to the World: He was a Man of the firft Clafs of Wit and Gallantry; His Friendship was courted by every Body; and no Body went out of his Company but pleas'd and improv'd Time added but a very little to Nature; he was every thing that an Englib Gentleman cou'd be: And we have no Reason to fufpect our felves; more efpecially when we are in a juft Scale with our affected Neighbours. Honour, Love, Friendship and Gallantry, receive as great a Luftre from the Albion-Mufes as any: And if we have flagg'd fometimes, others A 4 have : 1 have done fo too, as haughtily as they carry themselves. But Sir Charles was a Gentleman that needs no Commendation he is beyond Cenfure; and I glad of this Opportunity to pay my last Devoirs to fo deferving a Relation.. TheSoldiers Catch. The Indifference. A Song on Mariana's Eyes. The 8th Ode of the 2d Book of Horace. A Ballad to the Tune of Bateman A Song to Phillis. Batemanalysts P50 P. A Song to Phillis. P. A Song upon Hymen. р. бо On Don Alonzo, who was cut to Pieces for making Love P. 61 To Phillis a Song. p. 02 Epigrams; Or, Court Characters. |