5

The iust indignation the Author
tooke at the vulgar cenfure of his
Play, by fome malicious spectators,
begat this following Ode to
himfelfe.

Ome leaue the lothed stage,

Com

And the more lothfome age:

Where pride, and impudence (in faction knit)
Vfurpe the chaire of wit!

Indicting, and arraigning euery day

Something they call a Play.

Let their faftidious, vaine

Commiffion of the braine

Run on, and rage, sweat, cenfure, and condem'n:
They were not made for thee, leffe, thou for them.

Say, that thou pour'ft them wheat,

And they will acornes eat:

'Twere fimple fury, ftill, thy felfe to waste
On fuch as haue no taste!

To offer them a furfet of pure bread,
Whose appetites are dead!

No, giue them graines their fill,
Huskes, draffe to drinke, and fwill.

If they loue lees, and leaue the lufty wine,
Enuy them not their palate's, with the swine.

No doubt fome mouldy tale,

Like Pericles; and ftale

The iust indignation... Ode to himselfe. ] in a foot-note G I loathed

1716, G

15 surfeit 1692 f. swine. W, G

2 loathsome 1692, 1716, G

9 condemn 1692 f. 20 Envy them not, their palate's with the 21 some] so 1716

20

15

10

As the Shrieues crufts, and nafty as his fishscraps, out euery dish,

as Throwne forth, and rak't into the common tub, May keepe vp the Play-club :

There, sweepings doe as well

As the best order'd meale.

For, who the relish of these ghefts will fit, 30 Needs fet them, but, the almes-basket of wit.

And much good do't you then:

Braue plush, and veluet-men;

Can feed on orts: And fafe in your stage-clothes, Dare quit, vpon your oathes,

35 The stagers, and the stage-wrights too (your peeres) Of larding your large eares

40

With their foule comick focks;
Wrought vpon twenty blocks :

Which, if they are torne, and turn'd, & patch't enough,
The gamesters share your guilt, and you their stuffe.

Leaue things so prostitute,

And take the Alcaick Lute:

Or thine owne Horace, or Anacreons Lyre;

Warme thee, by Pindares fire:

45 And though thy nerues be shrunke, and blood be cold, Ere yeares haue made thee old;

Strike that difdaine-full heate

Throughout, to their defeate:

As curious fooles, and enuious of thy ftraine, 30 May, blushing, fweare no palfey's in thy braine.

But, when they heare thee fing

The glories of thy King,

His zeale to God, and his iuft awe o're men;

They may, blood-fhaken, then,

Feele fuch a flesh-quake to poffeffe their powers:
As they shall cry, like ours

In found of peace, or warres,

No Harpe ere hit the starres;

In tuning forth the acts of his sweet raigne:
And rayfing Charles his chariot, 'boue his Waine.

55

60

APPENDIX

Of the poems included in this appendix expressing contemporary criticism of Jonson and his play, Gifford appended modernized versions of those by Feltham, Randolph, Carew, and I. C.' to The New Inn in his edition of 1816. In his Memoirs he quoted eight lines, 27-34, from 'The Cuntrys Censure,' here printed in full for the first time. The versions herein presented aim to be faithful copies of the early manuscripts and editions.