When Pope had become ashamed of following Wycherley about like a dog, he would soon find out that a Dennis did not deserve the homage of a rising genius.

Possibly Dennis had said something of Pope's Pastorals, and Pope had probably been a witness, perhaps more than a mere witness, to some passage of arms in which Dennis lost his temper.

In mere youthful impertinence he introduced an offensive touch in the _Essay upon Criticism_.

It would be well, he said, if critics could advise authors freely,-- But Appius reddens at each word you speak, And stares, tremendous, with a threatening eye, Like some fierce tyrant in old tapestry.
The name Appius referred to Dennis's tragedy of _Appius and Virginia_, a piece now recollected solely by the fact that poor Dennis had invented some new thunder for the performance; and by his piteous complaint against the actors for afterwards "stealing his thunder," had started a proverbial expression.

Pope's reference stung Dennis to the quick.