But the reign of James II was short. The "Glorious Revolution"
came, and with a Protestant King and Queen upon the throne, the
Catholic Poet Laureate lost his post and pension and all his
other appointments. Dryden was now nearly sixty; and although he
had made what was then a good deal of money by his plays and
other poems he had spent it freely, and always seemed in need.
Now he had to face want and poverty. But he faced them bravely.
Dryden all his life had been a flatterer; he had always sailed
with the wind. Now, whether he could not or would not, he
changed no more, he flattered no more. A kind friend, it is
said, still continued to pay him the two hundred pounds he had
received as Poet Laureate, and he now wrote more plays which
brought him money. Then, thus late in life, he began the work
which for you at present will have the greatest interest. Dryden
was a great poet, but he could create nothing, he had to have
given him ideas upon which to work. Now he began translations
from Latin poets, and for those who cannot read them in the
original they are still a great pleasure and delight.
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