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Beaumont's Dedication to Jonson's Catiline


Vpon his Ca-
tiline.
To my friend M. Ben: Ionson.
I F thou had'st itch'd after the wild applause
Of common people, and had'st made thy lawes
In writing, such, as catch'd at present voice
I should commend the thing, but not thy choice.
But thou hast squar'd thy rules, by what is good;
And art, three ages yet, from vnderstood :
And ( I dare say ) in it, there lyes much wit
Lost, till thy readers can grow vp to it
Which they can ne're out-grow, to find it ill,
But must fall backe againe, or like it still.   
[10]
               F R A N C.  B E A V M O N T.

Link to Catiline
 

© Twilight Pictures, December 1999. This text is freely available for educational, non-profit uses only. Please report any errors or suggestions to Drew Whitehead.