•    [Wither’s Song, or “Sonnet,” appeared first in his “Fidelia” in 1615, and later with some changes in “Fair Virtue,” 1622. Jonson’s parody, here given, came out in a Collection of Verses, in 1620.]

    SHALL I mine affections slack,
    ’Cause I see a woman’s Black?
    Or myself, with care cast down,
    ’Cause I see a woman Brown?
    Be She blacker than the night,...

  • To draw no envy, Shakespeare, on thy name,
    Am I thus ample to thy book and fame;
    While I confess thy writings to be such
    As neither man nor Muse can praise too much.*        *        *        *        *
                            Soul of the age!
    The applause, delight, the wonder of our stage!
    My Shakespeare, rise! I will not lodge thee by
    ...