[Footnote 1: This poem is introduced in the manner of the Provencal
poets, whose works were for the most part visions, or pieces of
imagination, and constantly descriptive. From these, Petrarch and
Chaucer frequently borrow the idea of their poems. See the Trionfi of
the former, and the Dream, Flower and the Leaf, &c. of the latter. The
author of this therefore chose the same sort of exordium.--POPE.]
[Footnote 2: Dryden, Virg. Geor. ii. 456:
And boldly trust their buds in open air.
In this soft season.--WAKEFIELD.
Dryden's Flower and Leaf:
Where Venus from her orb descends in show'rs
To glad the ground, and paint the fields with flow'rs.]
[Footnote 3: Dryden, Geor. iii. 500:
But when the western winds with vital pow'r
Call forth the tender grass, and budding flow'r.--WAKEFIELD.]
[Footnote 4: Dryden's Flower and Leaf: