Dryden could no longer remain Poet Laureate.

The public would not have borne to see any Papist among the servants of their Majesties; and Dryden was not only a Papist, but an apostate.

He had moreover aggravated the guilt of his apostasy by calumniating and ridiculing the Church which he had deserted.

He had, it was facetiously said, treated her as the Pagan persecutors of old treated her children.

He had dressed her up in the skin of a wild beast, and then baited her for the public amusement.