April 29.

Apqil 30.

JOH

MAY.
Dryden.

OHN DRYDEN, son of Erasmus and Mary Dryden, born at Aldwincle in Northamptonshire on the 9th of August, 1631, was educated at Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge. He went to London in 1657, and wrote his first important work, "Heroic Stanzas," in memory of the Protector, on Cromwell's death. After the Restoration, he broke with all his family traditions, and became an enthusiastic Royalist, His first play, "The Wild Gallant," was acted in February, 1663. On the 1st of December of the same year he married Lady Elizabeth Howard, daughter of the Earl of Berkshire, by whom he had three sons-Charles, John, and Erasmus Henry.

In 1670 Dryden succeeded Sir William Davenant as Poet Laureate. A few months after the accession of James II., Dryden, who had argued against the Roman Catholic religion in "Religio Laici," and satirised it in the "Spanish Friar, became a convert to it, and wrote the allegory of "The Hind and the Panther" in its praise. After the Revolution, Dryden lost his place in the Customs and the Laureateship. This loss of income turned him again towards the drama; and he next devoted himself to translation, in which his greatest work is his "Virgil." He also translated Persius, five Satires of Juvenal, and made free adaptations of tales from Chaucer and Boccaccio. He died May 1, 1700.

Dryden was a perfect master of English style and a skilful versifier, but is perhaps chiefly famous as a satirist. "Absalom and Achitophel" (Nov., 1681) is famous for its portraits of Shaftesbury (Achitophel) and Buckingham (Zimri). "The Medal," also against Shaftesbury, was published in March, 1682. "Mac Flecknoe" (1682) is a satire on Shadwell, who had written a reply to "The Medal." "All for Love" (1677-8), Dryden's own favourite, and "Aurengzebe" (1675), are his best plays. "Astræa Redux" and "Threnodia Augustalis "" were written, the former on the Restoration of Charles II., the latter on his death. The " Annus Mirabilis " relates the events of the year 1666, especially the sea-fight with the Dutch (June 1-4) and the great fire. His Odes for St. Cecilia's Day (1687, 1697) are among the finest in the English language.

For thee, sweet month, the groves green liveries wear,
If not the first, the fairest of the year:

For thee the Graces lead the dancing hours,
And Nature's ready pencil paints the flowers.

Palamon and Arcite, Book II.

May 2.

For little souls on little shifts rely,
And coward arts of mean expedients try;
The noble mind will dare do anything but lie.

The Hind and the Panther.

May 3.

A name to all succeeding ages curst:
For close designs and crooked counsels fit.

Nic. Macchiavelli, 1169.

Absalom and Achitophel.

May 2.

May 3.