h, which prevented him from action. This might be one reason
for his being neglected in the annals of the civil war: another might
be, his unnecessary, or rather ridiculous shew of finery, which he
affected in decorating his troop of horse. This could not fail to draw
down contempt upon him, for in time of public distress, nothing can be
more foolish than to wear the livery of prosperity; and surely an army
would have no great reason to put much confidence in the conduct or
courage of that general; who in the morning of a Battle should
be found in his tent perfuming his hair, or arraying himself in
embroidery.

Mr. Lloyd, in his memoirs of our author, observes, that his thoughts
were not so loose as his expressions, nor his life so vain as his
thoughts; and at the same time makes an allowance for his youth and
sanguine complexion; which, says he, a little more time and experience
would have corrected. Of this, we have instances in his occasional
discourses about religion to my Lord Dorset, to whom he was related;
and in his thoughts of the posture of affairs; in both which he has
discovered that he could think as coolly, and reason as justly as men
of more years, and less fire.

To a Lady that forbad to love before company.

What! no more favours, not a ribbon more,
Not fan, nor muff, to hold as heretofore?
Must all the little blesses then be left,
And what was once love's gift become our theft?
May we not look ourselves into a trance,
Teach our souls parley at our eyes, not glance,
Nor touch the hand, but by soft wringing there,
Whisper a love that only yes can hear.
Not free a sigh, a sigh that's there for you,
Dear must I love you, and not love you too?
Be wise, nice fair; for sooner shall they trace,
The feather'd choristers from place to place,
By prints they make in th' air, and sooner say
By what right line, the last star made its way,
That fled from heaven to earth, than guess to know,
How our loves first did spring, or how they grow.

The above are as smooth lines as could be found among our author's
works; but in justice to Suckling, before we give an account of his
plays, we shall transcribe one of his letters, when we are persuaded
the reader will join in the opinion already given of his works in
general; it is addressed to his mistress, and has something in it gay
and sprightly.

This verifies the opinion of Mr. Dryden, that love makes a man a
rhimster, if not a po