SECTION 9.OBSERVA TION. 7 1 



contradiction with the commemorative verses of Ben Jonson 

 and of others prefixed to the first Folio, which verses would 

 lead one to assume that his leadership was generally recognised. 

 However, when we find that there were far more numerous 

 poems of the same kind published at the death of Ben Jonson, 

 and also in connection with the first Beaumont and Fletcher 

 Folio, it becomes manifest that either the judgment passed on 

 Shakespeare changed, which is a somewhat gratuitous assump- 

 tion, or that commemorative verses were apt to be couched in 

 superlatives. Here are a few examples culled to illustrate the 

 above, the first referring to Ben Jonson: 



"Great Jonson, king of English poetry." 

 ''. . . wit's most triumphant monarch . . ." 



"Look up! where Seneca and Sophocles, 



Quick Plautus and sharp Aristophanes. 



Enlighten yon bright orb ! doth not your eye, 



Among them, one far larger fire descry, 



At which their lights grow pale? 'tis Jonson, there 



He shines your Star, who was your Pilot here." 



"One still will spin, one wind, the other cut, 

 Yet in despight of spindle, clue and knife, 

 Thou, in thy strenuous lines, hast got a life, 

 Which, like thy bay, shall flourish every age, 

 While sock or buskin move upon the stage." 



'"Though (to our grief) we ever must despair. 

 That any age can raise thee up an heir." 



"Who without Latin helps hadst been as rare 

 As Beaumont, Fletcher, or as Shakespeare were." 



"Though there be many that about her brow, 

 Like sparkling stone, might a quick lustre throw ; 

 Yet, Shakespeare, Beaumont, Jonson, these three shall 

 Make up the gem in the point vertical." 



"Poet of princes, prince of poets . . ." 



"Shakespeare may make grief merry, Beaumont's style 



Ravish and melt anger into a smile; 



In winter nights, or after meals they be, 



I must confess, very good company: 



But . . ." 



"The marble glory of thy laboured rhyme 

 Shall live beyond the calendar of time." 



"Thou shalt be read as classic authors; and, 

 As Greek and Latin, taught in every land." 



"That Latin he reduced, and could command 



That which your Shakespeare scarce could understand?" 



