Notes of Ben Jonson's Conversations with William Drummond of Hawthornden. January, M.DC.XIX.

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Shakespeare society, 1842 - 54 pages

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Page 23 - My conceit of his person was never increased toward him by his place, or honours : but I have and do reverence him, for the greatness that was only proper to himself, in that he seemed to me ever, by his work, one of the greatest men, and most worthy of admiration, that had been in many ages. In his adversity I ever prayed, that God would give him strength ; for greatness he could not want. Neither could I condole in a word or syllable for him, as knowing no accident could do harm to virtue, but...
Page 41 - ... when his Play of a Silent woman was first acted, ther was found Verses after on the stage against him, concluding that, that play was well named the Silent Woman. ther was never one man to say plaudite to it...
Page 13 - That Southwell was hanged ; yet so he had written that piece of his, the Burning Babe, he would have been content to destroy many of his.
Page 37 - Poetry, in this latter age, hath proved but a mean mistress to such as have wholly addicted themselves to her, or given their names up to her family. They who have but saluted her on the by...
Page 13 - The burning babe As I in hoary winter's night stood shivering in the snow, Surprised I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow; And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near, A pretty babe all burning bright did in the air appear; Who, scorched with excessive heat, such floods of tears did shed As though his floods should quench his flames which with his tears were fed. Alas...
Page 24 - Here lies a valiant warriour, Who never drew a sword ; Here lies a noble courtier, Who never kept his word ; Here lies the Earle of Leister, Who govern'd the estates, Whom the earth could never living love, And the just Heaven now hates.
Page xxiv - I loved the man, and do honour his memory, on this side idolatry, as much as any. He was indeed honest, and of an. open and free nature ; had an excellent phantasy, brave notions, and gentle expressions...
Page 26 - But his learned and able (though unfortunate) successor, is he who hath filled up all numbers, and performed that in our tongue, which may be compared or preferred either to insolent Greece, or haughty Rome.
Page 4 - He cursed Petrarch for redacting verses to sonnets, which he said were like that tyrant's bed, where some who were too short were racked, others too long cut short.
Page 16 - gainst your great father's spirit Were it to think that you should not inherit His love unto the muses, when his skill Almost you have, or may have, when you will...

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