Happy Birthday Ben Jonson!
One of the greats was Ben
Jonson. A contemporary and rival of Shakespeare, father of "The Tribe
of Ben" (which included Robert Herrick), and a true classicist, he was
also imprisoned for murder (after participating in a duel). He was
released with the help of Catholic clergy, and his conversion to
Catholicism held fast for a decade, after which he returned to his
Anglican roots. Cool, but gross: he had his thumb branded when he was
freed from prison. The authorities must have thought all would know him
for a felon, but we know him as poet extraordinaire. Born June 11,
1572, he would be 437 today! Read this stunning poem, pay homage, and
wish the happiest of birthdays to Ben Jonson.
A Song
By Ben Jonson
First published in Underwoods, Cambridge University Press, 1640
Oh do not wanton with those eyes,
Lest I be sick with seeing;
Nor cast them down, but let them rise,
Lest shame destroy their being:
O, be not angry with those fires,
For then their threats will kill me;
Nor look too kind on my desires,
For then my hopes will spill me;
O, do not steep them in thy tears,
For so will sorrow slay me;
Nor spread them as distract with fears,
Mine own enough betray me.
A Song
By Ben Jonson
First published in Underwoods, Cambridge University Press, 1640
Oh do not wanton with those eyes,
Lest I be sick with seeing;
Nor cast them down, but let them rise,
Lest shame destroy their being:
O, be not angry with those fires,
For then their threats will kill me;
Nor look too kind on my desires,
For then my hopes will spill me;
O, do not steep them in thy tears,
For so will sorrow slay me;
Nor spread them as distract with fears,
Mine own enough betray me.
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