our self._

By the Pointedness of the Conceit one would be apt to imagine that
this noble Distich was of Monsieur _de Cros_'s Composition, and indeed
'tis but fit that an Author who shews himself so phlegmatick in his
Prose, should have the same dull Genius attend him in Poetry. But be
the Verses whose they will, the merit of the Application intirely
belongs to our _Letter-Writer_, who, to his Praise be it spoken,
discreetly chose out two of the dullest Lines in the Universe, which
it was impossible for him to murder, even by his own dull way of
applying them.

After a long Discussion of the matter, he finds he is not so much hurt
as he imagined at first. For in the first place he observes that the
King called him _Coquin_ or _Rogue_ pleasantly, by way of Jest and
without Passion; and in the second place, that if he called him so on
purpose and with Design, yet he ought not to wonder at it, p. 47.
since it was so usual a Compliment with him, and he had treated not
only the most flourishing Republick in the World, _Holland_, and two
Ambassadors of his most Christian Majesty, the Count _d'Avaux_ and
Monsieur _Barillon_, but even some Members of Parliament who had
presented him with an Address, by this familiar Term. And here I
cannot but make two Remarks; 1. That Monsieur _de Cros_ does not
preserve that profound Respect for the Memory of King _Charles_, as he
would make the World believe; and that he makes no Conscience to
sacrifice that Prince's Reputation upon every trivial Occasion, where
himself is concern'd to vindicate his own No-Reputation. 2. That as we
took Notice before, our great _Letter-writer_ still takes pains to
justify himself by the Protection of great Names. Thus, if Monsieur
_de Cros_ was a Monk, several Princes, and Kings, and Cardinals, and
Popes were so before him; and if he deserted his Frock for a
comfortable Petticoat, 'tis no more than what Nuncio's, and Pontiffs,
and Persons of the highest Quality had shown him a President for: Thus
if K. Charles the Second call'd him a Rogue, it never mortifies him;
for according to our Author, he bestowed that very same Compliment
upon Parliament-Men, Ambassadors, nay the States of _Holland_: and in
like manner if he was Author of the abovemention'd dull Distich, he
may still comfort himself by the Example of _Tully_, of _Nero_, nay
and of _Augustus_ himself.

_I need not put my Invention to the rack_, says Monsieur _de Cros_ p.
49. _to revenge my self on