This is movingly represented in a poem of our author’s, published in his remains called Hudibras at Court.  He takes occasion to justify his poem, by hinting its excellences in general, and paying a few modest compliments to himself, of which we shall transcribe the following lines.

  Now you must know, sir Hudibras,
  With such perfections gifted was,
  And so peculiar in his manner,
  That all that saw him did him honour;
  Amongst the rest, this prince was one,
  Admired his conversation: 
  This prince, whose ready wit, and parts
  Conquer’d both men and women’s hearts;
  Was so o’ercome with knight and Ralph,
  That he could never claw it off. 
  He never eat, nor drank, nor slept,
  But Hudibras still near him kept;
  Nor would he go to church or so,
  But Hudibras must with him go;
  Nor yet to visit concubine,
  Or at a city feast to dine,
  But Hudibras must still be there,
  Or all the fat was in the fire. 
  Now after all was it not hard,
  That he should meet with no reward,
  That fitted out the knight and squire,
  This monarch did so much admire? 
  That he should never reimburse
  The man for th’ equipage and horse,
  Is sure a strange ungrateful thing
  In any body, but a King. 
  But, this good King, it seems was told
  By some, that were with him too bold,
  If e’er you hope to gain your ends,
  Caress your foes, and trust your friends. 
  Such were the doctrines that were taught,
  ’Till this unthinking King was brought
  To leave his friends to starve and die;
  A poor reward for loyalty.

After having lived to a good old age, admired by all, though personally known but to few, he died September 25, 1680, and was buried at the expence of his good friend Mr. Longueville of the Temple, in the church-yard of St. Paul’s Covent-Garden.  Mr. Longueville had a strong inclination to have him buried in Westminster Abbey, and spoke with that view to several persons who had been his admirers, offering to pay his part, but none of them would contribute; upon which he was interred privately, Mr. Longueville, and seven or eight more, following him to the grave.  Mr. Alderman Barber erected a monument to Butler in Westminster-Abbey.

The poem entitled Hudibras, by which he acquired so high a reputation, was published at three different times; the first part came out in 1668 in 8vo. afterwards came out the second part, and both were printed together, with several additions, and annotations; at last, the third and last part was published, but without any annotations, as appears by the printed copy 1678.  The great success and peculiarity of manner of this poem has produced many unsuccessful imitations of it, and some vain attempts have been made to translate some parts of it into Latin.  Monsieur Voltaire gives it a very good character, and justly observes, that though there are as many thoughts as words in