The Cambridge History of English and American Literature in 18 Volumes (1907–21).
Volume IX. From Steele and Addison to Pope and Swift.
§ 16. Influence of Bolingbroke
His poetical energy during the next few years was deeply influenced by a friend for whom he felt the warmest admiration. Bolingbroke had been known to Pope before he fled to France. Their acquaintance had been renewed on his visit to England in 1723. During his residence at Dawley, 1725–35, their intercourse was frequent. When in exile, Bolingbroke had become interested in philosophical and ethical questions, and drew Pope to take some of these as subjects for his verse.