1. Ben Jonson
To the Memory of My Beloved Master, William Shakespeare, and What He Hath Left Us

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...

Poet: Ben Jonson
Freedom in Dress

From “Epicœne; or, the Silent Woman,” Act I. Sc. 1.

STILL to be neat, still to be drest,
As you were going to a feast;
Still to be powdered, still perfumed,—
Lady, it is to be presumed,
Though art’s hid causes are not found,
All is not sweet, all...

Poet: Ben Jonson
Triumph of Charis

See the chariot at hand here of Love!
  Wherein my lady rideth!
Each that draws is a swan, or a dove,
  And well the car Love guideth.
As she goes, all hearts do duty
            Unto her beauty.
And, enamored, do wish, so they might...

Poet: Ben Jonson
“Drink to me only with thine eyes”

From the Greek of Philostratus
From “The Forest”
DRINK to me only with thine eyes,
  And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
  And I ’ll not look for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise
  Doth ask a drink divine...

Poet: Ben Jonson
Fantasy

From “The Vision of Delight”
BREAK, Fantasy, from thy cave of cloud,
  And spread thy purple wings,
Now all thy figures are allowed,
  And various shapes of things;
Create of airy forms a stream,
It must have blood, and naught of phlegm;
And...

Poet: Ben Jonson