WHO first reform'd our Stage with justest Lawes, <br />And was the first best Judge in his owne Cause? <br />Who (when his Actors trembled for Applause) <br /> <br />Could (with a noble Confidence) preferre <br />His owne, by right, to a whole Theater; <br />From Principles which he knew could not erre. <br /> <br />Who to his FABLE did his Persons fitt, <br />With all the Properties of Art and Witt, <br />And above all (that could bee Acted) writt. <br /> <br />Who publique Follies did to covert drive, <br />Which hee againe could cunningly retrive, <br />Leaving them no ground to rest on, and thrive. <br /> <br />Heere IONSON lies, whom had I nam'd before <br />In that one word alone, I had paid more <br />Then can be now, when plentie makes me poore.<br /><br />John Cleveland<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/an-elegy-on-ben-jonson/
