penderis, neceffe eft ut Oden hanc meam admirandâ planè varietate conftare fatearis. Subito ad Batavos proficifcor, lauro ab illis donandus. Prius vero Pem brochienfes voco ad certamen Poeticum. Vale.

Illuftriffima tua deofculor crura.

E. SMITE

DUKE

DU K E.

F Mr. RICHARD DUKE I can find few

memorials. He was bred at Westminster and Cambridge *; and Jacob relates, that he was fome time tutor to the duke of Richmond.

He appears from his writings to have been not ill qualified for poetical compofitions; and being conscious of his powers, when he left the university he enlifted himself among the wits. He was the familiar friend of Otway; and was engaged, among other popular names, in the translations of Ovid and Juvenal. In his Review, though unfinished, are fome vigorous lines. His poems are not below mediocrity; nor have I found much in them to be praised.

* He went to Trinity College, and took his Mafter's Degree in 1682.

They make part of a volume published by Tonfon in 8vo. 1717, containing the poems of the earl of Rofcommon, and the duke of Buckingham's effay on poetry, but were first published in Dryden's mifcellany, as were most if not all of the poems in that col lection.

With the Wit he seems to have shared the diffolutenefs of the times: for fome of his compofitions are fuch as he must have reviewed with deteftation in his later days, when he published thofe Sermons which Felton has commended.

Perhaps, like fome other foolish young men, he rather talked than lived vicioufly, in an age when he that would be thought a Wit was afraid to fay his prayers; and whatever might have been bad in the first part of his life, was furely condemned and reformed by his better judgment.

In 1683, being then mafter of arts, and fellow of Trinity College in Cambridge, he wrote a poem on the marriage of the Lady Anne with George Prince of Denmark.

He took orders; and being made prebendary of Gloucester, became a proctor in convocation for that church, and chaplain to Queen Anne.

In 1710, he was prefented by the bishop of Winchefter to the wealthy living of Witney in Oxfordfhire, which he enjoyed but a few months. On Fe bruary 10, 1710-11, having returned from an entertainment, he was found dead the next morning. His death is mentioned in Swift's Journal.

END OF THE SECOND VOLUme.