The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. in Nine Volumes, Volume 08

Step into the bustling world of Restoration England through the eyes of a poet whose life reads like a spirited adventure. Born in the mid‑1660s to uncertain parentage, Matthew Prior climbs from a modest apprenticeship to a Cambridge education, impressing patrons with his command of Horace and early verses on sacred themes. His career sparkles with clever satire, notably the mock‑epic clash of the City Mouse and Country Mouse that surprised Dryden. These achievements launch him into London’s literary circles, where his wit quickly earns both acclaim and friendly rivalry.

Prior’s talents soon catch the notice of King William, and he is drawn into the diplomatic arena, serving as secretary at the Hague and later at the treaty of Ryswick. His time at Versailles offers a vivid glimpse of courtly grandeur, where he observes the lavish battle paintings of Le Brun and remarks wryly on England’s own triumphs. Balancing poetry with politics, he navigates the demands of a courtier’s life while maintaining his literary voice. Listeners will be eager to follow how this blend of artistry and statecraft shapes his subsequent path.