CHAPTER XV.
EDMUND WALLER, THOMAS BROWN, AND JEREMY TAYLOR.
Edmund Waller, born in 1605, was three years older than Milton; but I had a fancy for not dividing Herbert and Milton.

As a poet he had a high reputation for many years, gained chiefly, I think, by a regard to literary proprieties, combined with wit.

He is graceful sometimes; but what in his writings would with many pass for grace, is only smoothness and the absence of faults.

His horses were not difficult to drive.

He dares little and succeeds in proportion--occasionally, however, flashing out into true song.