| Citation |
PG-P.746.024
4 Sep 1746:31 (925)
Dublin, June 7. Namur, which the French are going to
besiege, is esteemed one of the strongest towns in Europe.
It stands on the west side of the Maese, just where it
receives the Sambre; this latter river running between the
town and the citadel. The taking of it by Lewis XIV. in
1692, was applauded as one of the greatest actions of his
life: Boileau, the French poet of his age, wrote an ode on
the occasion, in which he pretended to imitate the fire of
Pindar. King William retook it in 1695, but with very great
loss; however his success prompted Mr. Prior, who was then
young, to burlesque the Fr. ode in an English ballad, which
is a very singular piece of humour. It fell again into the
hands of the French, upon the death of Charles II. King of
Spain. . .
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