CAMPION (1567-1620) Two Passages These "Observations," published in 1602, form perhaps the most notable from Campion's attack ever made by an "Observations English poet, and an excel in the Art of English Poesie.” lent rhymer at that, upon the use of rhyme in poetry. » The pamphlet caused great excitement among Campion's fellow craftsmen. THE world is made by Simmetry and proportion, and is in that respect compared to Musick, and Musick to Poetry; for Terence saith, speaking of Poets, artem qui tractant musicam, confounding Musick and Poetry together. GOE numbers, boldly passe, stay not for ayde Of shifting rime, that easie flatterer And hops not like the Grecian elegies? Whose bounding fury, height, and waight affects, Assist their labour, and sit close to them, Their browes with great Apollos bayes are hid. Two DANIEL Stanzas from (1562-1619) The "Musophilus," like Daniel's prose "Defence of Rhyme," was written in reply to Campion's "Observations"; and was probably "Musophilus." published in the year fol AND lowing his book,-1603. as for Poesie (mother of this force) That breedes, brings forth, and nourishes this might, Teaching it in a loose, yet measured course, What should I say? since it is well approv'd The speech of heaven, with whom they have commerce; That onely seeme out of themselves remov'd, And doe with more than humane skills converse: Those numbers wherewith heav'n and earth are mov'd, Shew, weakenesse speakes in Prose, but powre in Verse. NOTHING (1573-1637) The "Discoveries" were first published after Jonson's death, in 1641. They contain many scattered references to poetry; but the two passages that follow are fully sufficient for our purpose: and well represent Ben Jonson's sturdy feeling for the art of poetry, and for his fellow-poets. Poetis. OTHING in our Age, I have observ'd, is Censura de more preposterous, then the running Judgements upon Poetry, and Poets; when wee shall heare those things commended and cry'd up for the best writings, which a man would scarce vouchsafe, to wrap any wholsome drug in; hee would never light his Tobacco with them. And those men almost nam'd for Miracles, who yet are so vile, that if a man should goe about to examine and correct them, he must make all they have done, but one blot. Their good is so intangled with their bad as forcibly Mart. 1. 4 epig. 10. Cestius. Heath. Spencer. one must draw on the other's death with it. A Sponge dipped in Inke will doe all : - Comitetur punica librum Spongia. Et paulò post, Non possunt. multæ, una litura potest. Yet their vices have not hurt them: Nay, a great many they have profited, for they have beene lov'd for nothing else. And this false opinion growes strong against the best men, if once it take root with the Ignorant. Cestius, in his time, was preferr'd to Cicero, so farre as the Ignorant durst. They learn'd him without booke, and had him often in their mouthes; but a man cannot imagine that thing so foolish or rude, but will find and enjoy an Admirer; at least, a Reader or Spectator. The Puppets are seene now in despight of the Players; Heaths Epigrams and the Skullers Poems have their applause. There are never wanting, that dare preferre the worst Preachers, the worst Pleaders, the worst Poets; not that the better have left to write or speake better, but that they that heare them judge worse; Non illi pejus dicunt, sed hi corruptius judicant. Nay, if it were put to the question of the Water-rimers works, against Spencer's, I doubt not but they would find more Suffrages; because the most favour common vices, out of a Prerogative the vulgar have to lose their judgments, and like that which is naught. |