John Dryden - 329 / 365 of reading one short story every day.

John Dryden was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright. He was appointed as England's first Poet Laureate in 1668.


Rhetorical argument and critical thought was the thread in all his writings. He established the heroic couplet as a standard form of English poetry by writing successful satires, religious pieces, fables, epigrams, compliments, prologues, and plays with it; he also introduced the alexandrine and triplet into the form. ( source Wiki)


Heroic Stanzas published in 1658 was an acclaimed poem and made him very popular. It is an eulogy on the death of Oliver Cromwell, the then English Secretary of State.


How shall I then begin, or where conclude

To draw a fame so truly circular?

For in a round what order can be shewed,

Where all the parts so equal perfect are?

His grandeur he derived from heaven alone,

For he was great ere fortune made him so;

And war’s like mists that rise against the sun

Made him but greater seem, not greater grow.