Page:Biographical and critical studies by James Thomson ("B.V.").djvu/140

 124 BIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES he states : " I presume that I have sufficiently mani- fested this out of Euripides his Orestes, which, when I was to use, not having the schoHast, out of whom I hoped some aid, I went for this purpose to see it in the well furnisht librarie of my beloved friend, that singular poet, Master Ben Jonson, whose special worth in literature, accurate judgment, and perform- ance, known only to that few which are truly able to know him, hath had from me, ever since I began to learn, an increasing admiration." How cordially Jonson reciprocated this affection and esteem of " the Law Book of the Judges of England, the bravest man in all languages," may be read in his *' Epistle to Master John Selden" ("Underwoods," xxxi.) pre- fixed to the first edition of " Titles of Honour." I have space for but a few lines : — " You that have been Ever at home, yet have all countries seen ; And like a compass, keeping one foot still Upon your centre, do your circle fill Of general knowledge ; watched men, manners too, Heard what times past have said, seen what ours do ! I wondered at the richness, but am lost To see the workmanship so exceed the cost ! To mark the excellent seasoning of your style, And manly elocution 1 not one while With horror rough, then rioting with wit ; But to the subject still the colours fit, In sharpness of all search, wisdom of choice, Newness of sense, antiquity of voice ! I yield, I yield. The matter of your praise Flows in upon me, and I cannot raise A bank against it : nothing but the round Large clasp of Nature such a wit can bound. Monarch in letters ! 'mongst the Titles shown Of others* honours, thus enjoy thy own."