Epistle XXI. To Caninius.
by
the Same. [Mr. Henley.]
[_]
He extols Virginius's Taste of Comedy.
I Am in the Number of those, who admire the Antients; yet I do not, like some,
despise the Wits of our own Age: For I do not think that Nature is so much upon the decay,
that she can produce nothing at present that is commendable. I have then been to hear
Virginius Romanus reading a Comedy to a thin Audience, form'd upon the Model of the old Stage;
yet so well done, that it may sometime be a Standard it self. I can't tell whether you know the Man,
tho' you should
know him. For he is very remarkable for the Probity of his Manners, the Elegance of his Wit,
and the Variety of his Works. He has written some Iambic Drolls, with a lightness,
a humorous Turn, a Beauty, and a Diction, that are all perfect in the kind.
For there is no manner of Writing, that, if it be compleatly touch'd,
has not a Right to be call'd extremely Eloquent and Masterly. He has written some Comedies in Imitation of
Menander, and others of that Time; tho' you might reckon them among the Plays of
Terrence and
Plautus. He has now shewn himself the first Time in the antient Comedy,
but not at all with the Air of a Beginner. He is neither defective in Force,
Greatness, Refinement, Satyr, Sweetness, nor Gaiety. He has grac'd the Virtues,
and the Vices he has lash'd; Fictitious Names he has employ'd with Decency,
the True, with Propriety: As for my Particular, he has express'd too much good Humour,
tho', indeed, a Poet may sometimes stretch a Point by Privilege. In short, I
will force a Book from him, and send it to you, not only to read, but to learn:
For I am pretty certain, you will not easily lay it aside, when you have once taken it into your Hands.
