Note 429 — NOTES ON ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL. PART II.
Reading edition
He had not so totally lost his poetical reputation, but that a brother bard was left to bewail his apostacy, as a disgrace to his talents:
For one, who formerly stood candidate For wit and sense with men of highest rate. Apostatises from his former acts, And from his own Cambyses' fame detracts; No more in verse his mighty talent shows, But libels princes with malicious prose. This man in Cornhill if you chance to meet, Or near the middle of Threadneedle street, Know, 'tis to pay his homage to the sun, Or rather to the hot-brained Phæton, Whom Ovid blames; but he does more commend, Advising straight the chariot to ascend. Loyalty Triumphant, 1st July, 1681.