Melbourne and Blackmore wrote rudely and insultingly against Dryden. Towards the end of his 'preface' he refers to this. Melbourne, who is a priest, pretends among the rest, that Dryden has offended priesthood. If he has done so he is prepared to apologize to the good priests, and he (Melbourne) need not do reparation for it. Dryden says that he is not prepared to quarrel with him on this issue. Melbourne himself said that he preferred the version of Ogilby to Dryden's. But it is generally agreed that he (Melbourne) writes even below Ogilby. Dryden expresses his satisfaction that he will not be judged as the worst poet of his age. He wishes that Melbourne continued to write against some of Dryden's other poems so that they may enjoy better reputation. Melbourne has taken some pains with Dryden's poetry, but nobody will be persuaded to take the same with his.
Then Dryden turns to Blackmore who he refers to as City Bond of Knight Physician. His complaint is that through his "Absalom and Achitophel” he has displeased his fanatic patrons in London. Dryden says that he will deal with Blackmore's two poems more mildly as he is already dead. Dryden drew the plan of an epic poem on King Arthur in his preface to the translation of Juvenal. Blackmore immediately started to write the story. He did not acknowledge his benefactor but introduced him in a libel.
