[From Act 1, Scene 2. Ingenioso, a scholar, and Judicio, a correcter of the press, are examining Belvedere edited by Anthony Munday and probably planned by John Bodenham (see Leishman, 1949, 230-ln) and discussing the authors as they come up. Jonson has just been mentioned.]

Jud.

The wittiest fellow of a Bricklayer in England.

Ing.

A meere Empyrick, one that getts what he hath by observation, and makes onely nature privy to what he endites, so slow an Inventor, that he were better betake himselfe to his old trade of Bricklaying, a bould whorson, as confident now in making of a booke, as he was in times past in laying of a brick.  

[From Act 4, Scene 3. The scholars Philomusus and Studioso are to be auditioned by Burbage and Kempe. Burbage hopes for "a good conceite in a part" from the scholars, but Kempe says they are proud, and speak only at the end of their walks across the stage.]

Bur.

A little teaching will mend these faults, and it may bee besides they will be able to pen a part.

Kemp.

Few of the university pen plaies well, they smell too much of that writer Ovid, and that writer Metamorphosis, and talke too much of Proserpina & Juppiter. Why heres our fellow Shakespeare puts them all downe, I and Ben Jonson too. O that Ben Jonson is a pestilent fellow, he brought up Horace giving the poets a pill, but our fellow Shakespeare hath given him a purge that made him beray his credit.

Bur.

Its a shrewd fellow indeed: I wonder these schollers stay so long, they appointed to be here presently that we might try them....

(sig. G3r)