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Page:Miscellany Poems, Volume 3, 1716.pdf/21

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iv
An Account of the

inftead of an Acknowledgment, I have given you a greater in the Correction of a Poem. But fince you are to bear this Perfecution. I will at least give you the Encouragement of a Martyr, you could never fuffer in a nobler Caufe. For I have chofen the most he- roick Subject which any Poet could defire: I bave taken upon me to defcribe the Motives, the Beginning, Progrefs and Succeffes, of a moft just and neceffary War; in it, the Care, Management and Pru- dence of our King; the Conduct and Valour of a Royal Admiral, and of two incomparable Generals, the in- vincible Courage of our Captains and Seamen, and three glorious Victories, the refult of all. After this, I have, in the Fire, the most deplorable, but withal the greatest Argument that can be imagin'd; the Deftruction being fo fwift, fo fudden, fo vat and miferable, as nothing can parallel in Story. The former part of this Poem, relating to the War, is but a due expiation for my not ferving my King and Country in it. All Gentlemen are almoft oblig'd to it: And I know no reafon we should give that Ad- vantage to the Commonalty of England, to be foremost in brave Actions, which the Noblefs of France would never fuffer in their Peafants. I fhould not have written this but to a Perfon, who has been ever for- ward to appear in all Employments. whither his Ho. nour and Generofity have call'd him. The latter part of my Poem, which defcribes the Fire; I owe first to the Piety and Fatherly Affection of our Mo- march to bis fuffering Subjects; and, in the fecond place, to the Courage Loyalty, and Magnanimity of the City; both which were fo confpicuous, that I have wanted Words to celebrate them as they deferve. I bave called my Poem Hiftorical, not Epick, though

both the Actions and Alors are as much Heroick,