Epistle XVII. To Spurinna.
by
Mr. Henley.
[_]
On a Work of Calphurnius Piso.
I Am sensible, what a Friend you are to Letters: How greatly you rejoice when Young Men of Distinction perform any Thing worthy of their Ancestors.
On this Ground I am the more eager to let you know, that I have been this Day one of the Audience to
Calphurnius Piso. He recited an Amorous Poem; the Subject was artful and rich.
It was written in elegant Verse, flowing, tender, easy; the Diction, as the matter required,
was sublime. For, with great Justness and Variety, he was sometimes elevated,
and again more humble; he mix'd the Lofty with the Simple, lesser Beauties with the fuller,
the Gay with the Serious, and all with equal Spirit. He recommended these Charms with the sweetest Voice,
and that with his Modesty: There was a Blush and a Concern in his Countenance,
which are the principal Graces of a Rehearsal. For, I do not know how it is;
but Fear is more becoming to a Man of Letters, than Confidence: To speak no more,
(tho' I might
be inclin'd to do it, since it is the more graceful in a Youth, and more rare in a Youth of Quality) at the End of his Reading,
after a repeated Embrace of him, as the liveliest Mark of Admonition,
I exhorted him by my Applauses, to continue as he begun; and hold out that Light to Posterity,
which his Ancestors had reach'd forth to himself. I congratulated his excellent Mother,
and his Brother; who did as much Honour by his Fraternal Kindness on this Occasion,
as the other gain'd by his Eloquence. He express'd his Fear at first,
and then his Joy, for his Brother reciting in so conspicuous a manner.
Heaven grant me a frequent Supply of such News to entertain you! For I have a tender Anxiety for the Age,
that it be not barren or unfruitful; and am wonderfully desirous, that our Men of Condition should have something else distinguishing in their Houses,
besides their Images. Which now seem to me tacitly to praise, to excite,
and (which alone is sufficient to the Glory of both of them) to acknowledge these well-deserving Young Gentlemen.
Farewell.
