WHO first reformed our stage with justest laws, And was the first best judge in his own cause; Who, when his actors trembled for applause, Could (with a noble confidence) prefer His own, by right, to a whole theatre; From principles which he knew could not err: Who to his fable did his persons fit, With all the properties of art and wit, And above all that could be acted, writ: Who public follies did to covert drive, Which he again could cunningly retrive, Leaving them no ground to rest on and thrive: Here JONSON lies, whom, had I named before, In that one word alone I had paid more Than can be now, when plenty makes me poor. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WINTER NIGHT SONG by SARA TEASDALE SUICIDE IN THE TRENCHES by SIEGFRIED SASSOON ON LYNN TERRACE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH SALOME by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE THE CONTRAST; THE STORMY SIDE by LEVI BISHOP |