Blackmore published in 1659 'Prince Arthur,' an epic poem in ten books. He attacked the witty but coarse writers of the time, and his aim was to 'restore the Muses to their sweet and chaste mansions.' This good intention seems to have been the only merit the performance could claim. The wits whom he attacked were not slow to reply. Pope has referred to him many times; cf. Essay On Criticism, v. 463, where, alluding to Dryden, he says —
'Might he return, and bless once more our eyes,
New Blackmores and new Milbourns must arise.'