Introduction

The most recent study of Dryden's poem is David M. Vieth's "Ironyin Dryden's Ode to Anne Killigrew," Studies in Philology, LXII(January, 1965), pp. 91-100, which lists earlier criticism. ProfessorVieth refers to Anne Killigrew's poems several times to illustrate histheory of Dryden's intentions.

Anthony Wood, Athenae Oxonienses (1721), c. 1036. Biographicaland critical comment is also to be found in George Ballard, Memoirs ofSeveral Ladies (1752), pp. 337-45; T. Cibber, Lives of the Poets(1753), II, 224-6; Ellen Creathorne Clayton, English Female Artists(1876), I, 59-70 and The Poems of Anne Countess of Winchelsea, editedby Myra Reynolds (1903), pp. xxiii-xxiv.

A bibliographical analysis of the volume is given by HughMacdonald, John Dryden a Bibliography (1939), pp. 42-43.

Art she had none, yet wanted none:For Nature did that Want supply.

Here take no Care, take here no Care, my Muse,Nor ought of Art or Labour use....The ruggeder my Measures run when read,They'l livelier paint th' unequal Paths fond Mortals tread, (p. 51)

Her verses belong to the generalising conventions of strong-mindedDenham and limpid Waller:

Such Noble Vigour did her Verse adorn,That it seem'd borrow'd.

The bloody Wolf, the Wolf does not pursue;The Boar, though fierce, his Tusk will not embrueIn his own Kind, Bares, not on Bares do prey:Then art thou, Man, more savage far than they, (p. 37)

Birds, feed on Birds, Beasts, on each other prey,But Savage Man alone, does Man betray,

So cold herself, whilst she such Warmth exprest,'Twas Cupid bathing in Diana's Stream,

I cannot Mourn thy Fate, Sweet Mayd, but JoyThat Thou art gone from all this Worlds Annoy,From th' hurry of this cursed Age, that drawsHeav'ns Vengeance down by th' breach of all the Laws.Of GOD, & Man: ther's nothing here but NoiseAnd Interruption of True Peacefull Joyes.That which they Pleasure call is Sport for ApesWhich turns the Phansie to a thousand ShapesAnd Wrests the Mind from that Celestial SphearTo which Its Nature ever would adhereThat by a Constant RevolutionIts Rest & Motion ever might be ONEThat which my Mind hath ever Sought, thy MindTho Compast with these walls of Clay did Find:Pure Quintessential Love, Aethereal Flame,Which Always shines, & Alwayes is the Same:Here's no faint trembling Flame: all Bright appears'Tis ne're blown out with Sighs, nor quencht with tears.Thy Soul Enflames my Love: the UnitieI had with Her, who was Allie'd to TheeIs Now made Perfect: Our Souls Mutual FlameTho Higher in Degree in Nature's still the same.

I Now Enioy, whilst in You All I LoveThe Boundless Spring of Joy to Ev'ry MindThat knowes what's Truly Fair & Knowes what's Truly Kind.How have I Labour'd to Depress the PrideOf one [Dr. Parker] that strives Illustrious Truth to HideIn the Thick Bushes of Learn'd Sophistrie,Which he that Enters hardly sees the Skie?Truth that thy Splendid Soul did clearly seeAnd of it made a plain Discoverie.And having Conquer'd Fate, Thou leavst those ArmsBy which Mankind may Conquer All their HarmsAnd make them Serve their Noble Purposes.All Good to Gain, All Evil to Repress.How Bravely did thy Melibaeus shewThe Madness of that Love most men pursueAnd how Youth may their strongest Lusts subdue!O Happy Mayd, who didst so soon EspieIn This Dark Life, that All is Vanitie!May thy Bright Love, All Youthfull Minds Inspire,And like the SUN, put out all other Fire;May all the Virtuous Celebrate thy Name;All Poets Hearts Partake of thy Great FlameThat all their Ardors & their Flights may beThe Flames that Fly up to the Deitie;That DAVID's Muse they all may Imitate,Sing Virtues Triumphs ore the Power of Fate:That all their Works Resembling Hea'vn may proveThe Blest Effects of Glory, Power, & Love.