Author: Ben JonsonNot Peer Reviewed
Prefatory Materials (Folio 1, 1663)
161Of all, that insolent Greece,
or haughtie Rome
162 sent forth, or since did from their ashes come.
163Triumph, my Britaine,
thou hast one to showe,
164 To whom all Scenes of Europe
homage owe.
165He was not of an age, but for all time!
166 And all the Mu
ses
still were in their prime,
167When like Apollo
he came forth to warme 168 Our eares, or like a Mercury
to charme!
169Nature her selfe was proud of his designes,
170 And ioy'd to weare the dressing of his lines!
171Which were so richly spun, and wouen so fit,
172 As, since, she will vouchsafe no other Wit.
173The merry Greeke,
tart Ari
stophanes,
174 Neat Terence,
witty Plautus,
now not please;
175But antiquated, and deserted lye 176 As they were not of Natures family.
177Yet must I not giue Nature all: Thy Art,
178 My gentle Shake
speare,
must enioy a part.
179For though the Poets
matter, Nature be,
180 His Art doth giue the fashion. And, that he,
181Who casts to write a liuing line, must sweat,
182(such as thine are) and strike the second heat 183Vpon the Mu
ses
anuile: turne the same,
184(And himselfe with it) that he thinkes to frame;
185Or for the lawrell, he may gaine a scorne,
186 For a good Poet's
made, as well as borne.
187And such wert thou. Looke how the fathers face 188 Liues in his issue, euen so, the race 189Of Shake
speares
minde, and manners brightly shines 190 In his well torned, and true-filed lines:
191In each of which, he seemes to shake a Lance,
192 As brandish't at the eyes of Ignorance.
193Sweet Swan of Auon!
what a sight it were 194 To see thee in our waters yet appeare,
195And make those flights vpon the bankes of Thames,
196 That so did take Eliza,
and our Iames!
197But stay, I see thee in the Hemi
sphere
198 Aduanc'd, and made a Constellation there!
199Shine forth, thou Starre of Poets,
and with rage,
200 Or influence, chide, or cheere the drooping Stage;
201Which, since thy flight frõ hence, hath mourn'd like night,
202 And despaires day, but for thy Volumes light.