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Beaumont's Dedication to Jonson's Volpone
Vpon his
Foxe. |
To my deare friend, M. Ben: Ionson.
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I
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F it might stand with iustice, to allow
The swift conversion of all follies ; now ,
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Such is my mercy, that I could admit
All sorts should equally approve the wit
Of this thy euen worke : whose growing fame
Shall raise thee high, and thou it, with thy name.
And did not manners, and my love command
Me to forbeare to make those vnderstand,
Whom thou, perhaps, hast in thy wiser doome
Long since, firmely resolu'd, shall never come [10]
To know more then they doe; I would have showne
To all the world, the art, which thou alone
Hast taught our tongue,the rules of time,of place,
[New column]
And other rites, deliuer'd, with the grace
Of comick stile, which only, is farre more,
Then any English stage hath knowne before.
But, since our subtle gallants thinke it good
To like of nought, that may be vnderstood,
Lest they should be disprou'd ; or haue, at best,
Stomacks so raw, that nothing can digest [20]
But what's obscene, or barkes : Let vs desire
They may continue ,simply , to admire ( age,
Fine clothes,and strange words; & may liue,in
To see themselues ill-brought vpon the stage,
And like it. Whilst thy bold,and knowing Muse
Contenes al praise,but such as thou wouldst chuse
F R A N C. B E A V M O N T.
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Link to Volpone
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© Twilight Pictures, December 1999. This text is freely available for educational, non-profit uses only. Please report any errors or suggestions to Drew Whitehead.
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