Ben Jonson
Ben Jonson
Benjamin "Ben" Jonsonwas an English playwright, poet, actor and literary critic of the 17th century, whose artistry exerted a lasting impact upon English poetry and stage comedy. He popularised the comedy of humours. He is best known for the satirical plays Every Man in His Humour, Volpone, or The Foxe, The Alchemistand Bartholomew Fayre: A Comedyand for his lyric poetry; he is generally regarded as the second most important English dramatist, after William Shakespeare, during the reign of James I...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth11 June 1572
I am grieved that it should be said he is my brother, and take these courses. Well, as he brews, so shall he drink, for George again. Yet he shall hear on't, and tightly, too, an' I live, i'faith.
Spread yourself upon his bosom publicly, whose heart you would eat in private.
Though I am young, and cannot tell Either what Death or Love is well, Yet I have heard they both bear darts, And both do aim at human hearts. And then again, I have been told Love wounds with heat, as Death with cold; So that I fear they do but bring Extremes to touch, and mean one thing. As in a ruin we it call One thing to be blown up, or fall; Or to our end like way may have By a flash of lightning, or a wave; So Love’s inflamèd shaft or brand May kill as soon as Death’s cold hand; Except Love’s fires the virtue have To fight the frost out of the grave.
The fear of every man that heard him was, lest he should make an end.
Twas only fear first in the world made gods.
I have betrayed myself with my own tongue; The case is altered
I have a humour, / I would not willingly be gulled.
I have been at my book, and am now past the craggy paths of study, and come to the flowery plains of honour and reputation.
She is Venus when she smiles; / But she's Juno when she walks, / And Minerva when she talks.
Peace is never more than one thought away.
A good dog deserves a good bone.
... the best pilots have need of mariners, besides sails, anchor and other tackle.
True melancholy breeds your perfect fine wit.
It is less dishonor to hear imperfectly than to speak imperfectly. The ears are excused; the understanding is not.