"And this may prove our second Punic war. What peace can be, where both to one pretend?
(But they more diligent, and we more strong)
Or if a peace, it soon must have an end;
For they would grow too powerful, were it long. Behold two nations, then, engaged so far
That each seven years the fit must shake each land"
When discussing the Dutch, Dryden predicts war with them. He says that whatever peace existed between the Dutch and the British was a false peace because it was born out of the deception of contentment. In reality they were both separately amassing powers which would eventually pit them against each other. According to the natural laws, every seven years it seems they must face war because of the swell of power in the region.
"The English undertake the unequal war:
Seven ships alone, by which the port is bar'd,
Besiege the Indies, and all Denmark dare. These fight like husbands, but like lovers those:
These fain would keep, and those fain enjoy"
Between the British and the Dutch, their motivations determine the course of the siege, according to Dryden. He recognizes the spirit of the husband in the Dutch and that of the lover in the English. Where one is desperately trying to hold onto his wife -- which is the Dutch ports, -- the other is fighting with pure passion for the hunt. Since the British are chasing and not defending, they are attacking with the full fury of one with nothing to lose but pride.
". . . Our guardian angel saw them where they sate
Above the palace of our slumbering king:
He sigh'd, abandoning his charge to fate,
And, drooping, oft look'd back upon the wing. . ."
Here, Dryden credits the great fire to God's divine interest. If London's guardian angel had not left his post, he could have prevented the tragic fire. He saw the course of the flames and resigned himself to the loss and departed, yet regretted doing so in hindsight.
"I see a city of more precious mould:
Rich as the town which gives the Indies name,
With silver paved, and all divine with gold. Already labouring with a mighty fate,
She shakes the rubbish from her mounting brow,
And seems to have renew'd her charter's date,
Which Heaven will to the death of time allow. More great than human now, and more august,
Now deified she form her fires does rise"
In the midst of tragedy, Dryden remains hopeful. He sees all the destruction that occurred in the year 1666 and chooses to believe it is a sign of rebirth. As London is rebuilt, it will be glorified according to God's grace. The city is the representative of the country and all the blessings and authority which will be given to her as she stands victorious, unable to be defeated by death and destruction.
