Dryden Re-Edited
THREE editors and five associate editors have combined to produce a new edition of Dryden's poems and plays, to be completed in an unspecified number of volumes. In The Works of John Dryden, Vol 1, Poems, 1649-80, edited by E. N. Hooker, • H. T. Swedenberg, Jr., and others (University of California; C.U.P., 64s.), they give us three pages of closely-printed notes for every two pages of more generously spaced text : notes adequate if uninspired. The first is likely to he the least interesting of all the volumes. There can be few poets whose works down to the age of forty-nine would be as unexciting as Dry- den's. In Astrea Redux and Annus Mirabilis there are good lines: but most of the poems here are public verse, verse for occasions, with no great significance once the occasion has passed. The main interest is in the evolution of Dryden's political position. He accurately ex- pressed the outlook of middle-of-the-road gentlemen, prepared to accept any government which gave enthusiastic support to trade. industry and science whilst guaranteeing stability against social disorder. In Annus. Mirabilis Dryden warmly identified himself with the aims of the Royal Society, so many of whose members, like himself, were ex- Cromwellians. They shared his confidence that, under a King who respected the interests of the City, A constant Trade-wind will securely blow, And gently lay us on the Spicy shore.
CHRISTOPHER HILL
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