Page:The Dunciad - Alexander Pope (1743).djvu/156

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Book III.

The Dunciad.

125

Known by the band and suit which Settle^{[R 1]} wore
(His only suit) for twice three years before:
All as the vest, appear'd the wearer's frame,
40 Old in new state, another yet the same.
Bland and familiar as in life, begun
Thus the great Father to the greater Son.

Remarks

curate persons. I dare assert it proceeded originally from the inadvertency of some Transcriber, whose head run on the Pillory, mentioned two lines before; it is therefore amazing that Mr. Curl himself should over-look it! Yet that Scholiast takes not the least notice hereof. That the learned Mist also read it thus, is plain from his ranging this passage among those in which our author was blamed for personal Satyr on a Man's face (whereof doubtless he might take the ear to be a part;) so likewise Concanen, Ralph, the Flying Post, and all the herd of Commentators.—Tota armenta sequuntur.
A very little sagacity (which all these Gentlemen therefore wanted) will restore us to the true sense of the Poet, thus,

By his broad shoulders known, and length of

Pillory

Theobald

Scribl

↑ Ver. 37. Settle] Elkanah Settle was once a Writer in vogue, as well as Cibber, both for Dramatic Poetry and Politics. Mr. Dennis tells us that "he was a formidable rival to Mr. Dryden, and that in the University of Cambridge there were those who gave him the preference." Mr. Welsted goes yet farther in his behalf: "Poor Settle was formerly the Mighty rival of Dryden; "nay, for many years, bore his reputation above him." Pref. to his Poems, 8vo. p. 31. And Mr. Milbourn cried out, "How little was Dryden able, even when his blood run high, to defend himself against Mr. Settle!" Notes on Dryd. Virg. p. 175. These are comfortable opinions! and no wonder some authors indulge them.
He was author or publisher of many noted pamphlets in the time of king Charles II. He answered all Dryden's political poems; and being cried up on one side, succeeded not a little in his Tragedy of the Empress of Morocco (the first that was ever printed with Cuts.) "Upon this he grew insolent, the Wits writ against his Play, he replied, and the Town judged he had the better. In short, Settle was then thought a very formidable rival to Mr. Dryden; and not only the Town but the University of Cambridge was divided which to prefer; and in both places the younger sort inclined to Elkanah." Dennis Pref. to Rem. on Hom.

[2] Ver. 37. Settle] Elkanah Settle was once a Writer in vogue, as well as Cibber, both for Dramatic Poetry and Politics. Mr. Dennis tells us that "he was a formidable rival to Mr. Dryden, and that in the University of Cambridge there were those who gave him the preference." Mr. Welsted goes yet farther in his behalf: "Poor Settle was formerly the Mighty rival of Dryden; "nay, for many years, bore his reputation above him." Pref. to his Poems, 8vo. p. 31. And Mr. Milbourn cried out, "How little was Dryden able, even when his blood run high, to defend himself against Mr. Settle!" Notes on Dryd. Virg. p. 175. These are comfortable opinions! and no wonder some authors indulge them.
He was author or publisher of many noted pamphlets in the time of king Charles II. He answered all Dryden's political poems; and being cried up on one side, succeeded not a little in his Tragedy of the Empress of Morocco (the first that was ever printed with Cuts.) "Upon this he grew insolent, the Wits writ against his Play, he replied, and the Town judged he had the better. In short, Settle was then thought a very formidable rival to Mr. Dryden; and not only the Town but the University of Cambridge was divided which to prefer; and in both places the younger sort inclined to Elkanah." Dennis Pref. to Rem. on Hom.

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