of fame, 40
  And the fair triumph’d when the brave o’ercame. 
  Then, as you meant to spread another way
  By land your conquests, far as his by sea,
  Leaving our southern clime you march’d along
  The stubborn North, ten thousand Cupids strong. 
  Like commons the nobility resort
  In crowding heaps, to fill your moving court: 
  To welcome your approach the vulgar run,
  Like some new envoy from the distant sun;
  And country beauties by their lovers go, 50
  Blessing themselves, and wondering at the show. 
  So when the new-born Phoenix first is seen,
  Her feather’d subjects all adore their queen;
  And while she makes her progress through the east,
  From every grove her numerous train’s increased;
  Each poet of the air her glory sings,
  And round him the pleased audience clap their wings.

* * * * *

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 34:  ‘The Duchess:’  daughter to the great Earl of Clarendon; married privately to Duke of York.  For account of this victory, see Hume or Macaulay.  The duchess accompanied the duke to Harwich, and thence made a progress north-wards, referred to here.]

[Footnote 35:  ‘Heard the cannon play:’  the cannon were heard in London a hundred miles from Lowestoff where the battle was fought.]

* * * * *

ANNUS MIRABILIS: 

THE YEAR OF WONDERS, 1666.

AN HISTORICAL POEM.

* * * * *

AN ACCOUNT OF THE ENSUING POEM, IN A LETTER TO THE HONOURABLE SIR ROBERT HOWARD.

Sir,—­I am so many ways obliged to you, and so little able to return your favours, that, like those who owe too much, I can only live by getting further into your debt.  You have not only been careful of my fortune, which was the effect of your nobleness, but you have been solicitous of my reputation, which is that of your kindness.  It is not long since I gave you the trouble of perusing a play for me, and now, instead of an acknowledgment, I have given you a greater, in the correction of a poem.  But since you are to bear this persecution, I will at least give you the encouragement of a martyr; you could never suffer in a nobler cause.  For I have chosen the most heroic subject which any poet could desire:  I have taken upon me to describe the motives, the beginning, progress, and successes, of a most just and necessary war; in it, the care, management, and prudence of our king; the conduct and valour of a royal admiral, and of two incomparable generals; the invincible courage of our captains and seamen; and three glorious victories, the result of all.  After this I have, in the Fire, the most deplorable, but withal the greatest, argument that can be imagined: