The poetical works of Mark Akenside and John Dyer

Front matter

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Preface

" If it rained knowledge," said Johnson to Boswell, exulting in his canvass of Lord Marchmont, about ^ Pope, " I'd hold out my hand." Humbler biographers are expected to take more pains, although their industry is often unfruitful. The history of Akenside has been investigated by Mr. Bucke, the Rev. Alexander Dyce, and the latest Editor of "Johnson's Lives." I have not been able to make much addition to their stores. The life of Akenside by Mr. Dyce, is particularly careful, and must always be consulted with advantage.

My inquiries respecting Dyer have been more successful. The kindness of Mr. W. H. Dyer LongstafFe, the descendant and the representative of the Poet, has furnished me with some unpublished verses of Dyer, and several interesting illustrations of his mind and genius. To the same gentleman I am indebted for the portrait which appears in this volume. The face

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VI PKEFACE.

of Dyer, is now, for the first time, exhibited to his admirers ; the portrait which was prefixed to the editions of his Poems, by Johnson and Bell, represented a very different Mr. Dyer, who is mentioned by Sir John Hawkins. My thanks are also due to Mr. Peter Cunningham, and Mr. I. G. Nichols. I should have been willing to enlarge the number of the Notes, but a crowded page is not pleasing ; and every reader of a poet is expected to bring some information to the perusal. For the Notes, which have a signature, I am responsible.

E. A. WlLLMOTT.

St. Catherine's, May 28, 1855.

Contents

he Pleasures of Imagination

ODES ON SEVERAL SUBJECTS.

PAGE 1

Book I

I. Preface 110

II. On the Winter Solstice ... 112

in. To a Friend Unsuccessful in Love ... ... ... 116

iv. Affected Indifference ... .. ... ... ... 118 vi. Hymn to Cheerfulness ... ... ... ... 120

vii. On the Use of Poetry 124

Vin. On Leaving Holland ... 125

ix. To Curio— 1744 128

x. To the Muse 133

xi. On Love, to a Friend ... 133

xii. To Sir Francis Henry Drake, Baronet 135

xiii. On Lyric Poetry 138

xiv. To the Hon. Charles Townshend ; from the Country 141

xv. To the Evening Star ... 143

xvi. To Caleb Hardinge, M.D 146

xvn. On a Sermon against Griory — 1747 ... ... ... 147

xviii. To the Right Hon. Francis Earl of Huntingdon —

1747 148