heated, he pursued revenge, and retained the most lasting hatred; he had
always entertained a prejudice against Dryden, from no other motive than
envy, Dryden's plays met with success, and this was enough to fire the
resentment of Rochester, who was naturally envious. In order to hurt the
character, and shake the interest of this noble poet, he recommended
Crown, an obscure man, to write a Masque for the court, which was
Dryden's province, as poet-laureat, to perform. Crown in this succeeded,
but soon after, when his play called the Conquest of Jerusalem met with
such extravagant applause, Rochester, jealous of his new favourite, not
only abandoned him, but commenced from that moment his enemy.

The other person against whom this satire was levelled, was not superior
in virtue to the former, and all the nation over, two better subjects
for satire could not have been found, than lord Rochester, and the
duchess of Portsmouth. As for Rochester, he had not genius enough to
enter the lists with Dryden, so he fell upon another method of revenge;
and meanly hired bravoes to assault him.

In 1680 came out a translation of Ovid's Epistles in English verse, by
several hands, two of which were translated by Mr. Dryden, who also
wrote the preface. In the year following our author published Absalom
and Achitophel. It was first printed without his name, and is a severe
satire against the contrivers and abettors of the opposition against
King Charles II. In the same year that Absalom and Achitophel was
published, the Medal, a Satire, was likewise given to the public. This
piece is aimed against sedition, and was occasioned by the striking of a
medal, on account of the indictment against the earl of Shaftsbury for
high treason being found ignoramus by the grand jury, at the Old Bailey,
November 1681: For which the Whig party made great rejoicings by ringing
of bells, bonfires, &c. in all parts of London. The poem is introduced