er in king
Charles the IId's reign, we diverted ourselves with the remembrance of
several particulars that pass'd in the world, before the greatest part
of my readers were born; and could not but smile to think how insensibly
we were grown into a couple of venerable old gentlemen. Tom observed
to me, that after having written more Odes than Horace, and about four
times as many Comedies as Terence; he was reduced to great difficulties,
by the importunities of a set of men, who of late years had furnished
him with the accommodations of life, and would not, as we say, be paid
with a song. In order to extricate my old friend, I immediately sent for
the three directors of the Play-house, and desired they would in their
turn, do a good office for a man, who in Shakespear's phrase, often
filled their mouths; I mean with pleasantry and popular conceits. They
very generously listened to my proposal, and agreed to act the Plotting
Sisters (a very taking play of my old friends composing) on the 15th of
next month, for the benefit of the author.

'My kindness to the agreeable Mr. D'Urfey, will be imperfect, if, after
having engaged the players in his favour, I do not get the town to come
into it. I must therefore heartily recommend to all the young ladies
my disciples, the case of my old friend, who has often made their
grand-mothers merry; and whose Sonnets have perhaps lulled asleep many a
present toast, when she lay in her cradle. The gentleman I am speaking
of, has laid obligations on so many of his countrymen, that I hope they
will think this but a just return to the good service of a veteran Poet.

'I myself, remember king Charles the IId. leaning on Tom D'Urfey's
shoulder more than once, and humming over a song with him. It is
certain, that monarch was not a little supported, by joy to great Caesar;
which gave the Whigs such a blow, as they were not able to recover
that whole reign. My friend afterwards attacked Popery, with the same
success, having exposed Beliarmine, and Portocarero, more than once, in
short satirical compositions, which have been in every body's mouth. He
made use of Italian Tunes and Sonato's, for promoting the Protestant
interest; and turned a considerable part of the Pope's music against
himself. In short, he has obliged the court with political Sonnets; the
country with Dialogues, and Pastorals; the city with Descriptions of a
lord Mayor's Feast; not to mention his little Ode upon Stool-Ball; with
ma