Note 66 — Front matter
Reading edition
Such facts as the following lead us to draw rather disparaging conclusions as to Dryden's character. He was short of money at a certain time, and sent to Jacob Tonson, his publisher, asking him to advance him some, which Tonson declined to do; whereupon Dryden sent him these lines, adding, "Tell the dog that he who wrote these can write more":—
"With leering looks, bull-faced, and freckled skin, With two left legs, and Judas-colored hair, And frowzy pores, that taint the ambient air!"
The bookseller felt the force of the description, and to avoid trouble immediately sent the insulting poet the money.