Epistle XVIII. To Severus.
by
the Same. [Mr. Henley]
MY Consular Office, enjoin'd me to pay a publick Compliment to the Emperor in the name of the Common-wealth;
which when I had perform'd in the Senate, according to Custom, and the Rule of the Time and Place,
I thought it most agreeable to a good Subject to cast the same Piece more amply and copiously into the Compass of a Volume.
First, that the peculiar Virtues of our Prince might receive a just Encomium;
and then, that future Monarchs should be inform'd, not as by a Master,
but a Pattern, what Path they
should follow to the same Glory. For to instruct a Prince what he ought to be,
is a great Attempt, but weighty, and almost assuming; but to applaud a good Ruler,
and by this hold out a Light to Posterity, as from a Tower, which they ought to observe,
is equally useful, without the Arrogance. But I took a particular Pleasure,
that when I was inclin'd to recite the Book to my Friends, not by Sections or distinct Pieces,
but (if it was commodious, and the Time was very free, as it seldom or never happen'd on either Side at
Rome to favour the hearing of a Rehearsall) on an Invitation they met for two Days,
tho' in the most forbidding Weather: And when my Modesty would have put and End to the Recital,
they desir'd me to add a third Day for it. Should I think this Honour is done to me,
or my Studies? I could rather wish it was a Deference paid to my Studies;
which, tho' almost extinguish'd, are again enliven'd. But to what Theme did they give this Assiduity?
Why, such a one as we were accustom'd to bear uneasily in Senate, even for a small Point of Time, where we were confin'd to suffer it;
the same is heard and recited for the Space of three Days together: Not that it is written more eloquently than before,
but more freely, and therefore more willingly. And the Praise of our Prince will receive this Addition,
that a Design, hitherto as odious as false, is now become both true and amiable.
But I was
extremely pleas'd with the Zeal and Judgment of the Audience: I remark'd,
that the gravest Passages created the highest Satisfaction. I recollect indeed,
that I recited to a few what I wrote to all; yet rejoice in this Severity of the Hearers,
as if the Sentence of all would be the same. And as formerly the Theatres did but ill instruct the Musicians in Singing,
so now I begin to hope it is possible the same theatres may reach a juster Skill in Musick:
For all who write to please, will pen what they find is pleasing. But I presume,
that in this kind of Matter there is room for a greater Latitude in Style,
when the close and the contracted Parts may seem rather to be forc'd in and affected,
than those that are written in a gayer and more luxuriant Manner. Yet my Wishes are not the less importunate,
that the Day may some time arrive, (Heaven grant it were already come) when these luscious and flattering Strokes of Writing may yield to the just Possession of
the grave and the severe. You have now a Journal of me for three Days.
In viewing of which, I was desirous you should taste an equal Pleasure in your Absence,
both on the account of my Studies, and my self, as you could entertain,
if present.
