THE Muse's fairest light in no dark time, The wonder of a learned age; the line Which none can pass! the most proportioned wit, -- To nature, the best judge of what was fit; The deepest, plainest, highest, clearest pen; The voice most echoed by consenting men; The soul which answered best to all well said By others, and which most requital made; Tuned to the highest key of ancient Rome, Returning all her music with his own; In whom, with nature, study claimed a part, And yet who to himself owed all his art: Here lies Ben Jonson! every age will look With sorrow here, with wonder on his book. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PLEASURE MIXED WITH PAIN by THOMAS WYATT AFTER THE BURIAL by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL HERTHA by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE IN MEMORY OF WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE SATIRE: 3 by AULUS PERSIUS FLACCUS I SHALL HAVE PEACE AGAIN (WRITTEN AFTER READING 'RIDERS TO THE SEA' by FLORA LOUISE BAILEY |