Three years after the arrival of his majesty, Dryden's comedy
entitled "The Wild Gallant" was produced, this being the first of
twenty-eight plays which followed. In the year 1668 he had the
honour to succeed Sir William Davenant as poet laureate, the
salary attached to which office was one hundred pounds a year and
a tierce of wine. His dignity was moreover enhanced, though his
happiness was by no means increased, by his marriage with the
Lady Elizabeth Howard, daughter of the Earl of Berkshire. For my
lady's temper sorely marred the poet's peace, and left such
impressions upon his mind, that to the end of his days his
invectives against the bonds of matrimony were bitter and deep.
In justice it must be mentioned the Lady Elizabeth's mental
condition was supposed to be unsettled; a conjecture which was
proved true by a madness which befell her, subsequent to her
husband's death.
Dryden was now a well known figure in town, consorting with men
of the highest quality and parts, and gossiping with wits and
players who frequented Will's coffee-house. Here, indeed, a
special chair was appropriated to his use; which being placed by
the fire in winter, and on the balcony in summer, he was pleased
to designate as his winter and his summer seat. At Will's he was
wont to hold forth on the ingenuity of his plays, the perfection
of his poems, and the truth of astrology. It was whilst leaving
this coffee house one night a memorable occurrence befell the
poet, of which more anon.
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