Jonson as a modern Horace - 1604

Literary Record 14

[From Sir Edward Herbert, 'Upon his Friend Mr Ben: Jonson, and his Translation', Q. Horatius Flaccus: His Art of Poetry. Englished by Ben: Jonson (1640).]

Drummond in the Informations mentions that Jonson told him there was an 'epigram' by Herbert prefixed to Jonson's translation of Horace's Art of Poetry ( Informations, 60,) and it must have survived with the manuscript of the translation from which John Benson printed it in 1640: the verses by Herbert appear there. The passage in the Informations also seems to indicate that the translation was made in 1604.

Herbert (1583-1648), philosopher, traveller, and soldier, was knighted by James soon after his succession and was created Lord Herbert of Cherbury in 1629. Jonson has an epigram in praise of him (Epigr. 106), and one of the books in his library is inscribed 'Ex dono Ed. Herberti Equitis Amiciss. Doctiss.' ('Given by Edward Herbert, most friendly and most learned knight.')

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Twas not enough, Ben: Jonson to be thought
Of English Poets best, but to have brought
In greater state, to their acquaintance, one
Made equall to himselfe and thee; that none
Might be thy second: while thy glory is
To be the Horace of our times, and his.

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