From
Thomas Farnaby’s
Juvenal,
1612 This is the sole
dedicatory verse to Thomas Farnaby’s Juvenal (entered in the Stationers’
Register 29 Apr. 1612). Farnaby (?1575–1647) was a notable schoolmaster
and classical scholar, whose pupils included Sir Richard Fanshawe and
Alexander Gil. He wrote a tribute to Jonson in the preface to his
edition of Martial (
1615), sig. A4 (Literary Record, Electronic Edition), and
Jonson praised his edition of Martial in Letter 13, as well as
presenting him with a copy of F1 (M. Bland,
1998b, 29 n.89). Translation: ‘Juvenal
was the great light to the ancients, to their customs, native qualities,
riches, and vices. You, Farnaby, are light to that light: you drove away
the shadows of his work and of his time by the rays of your talent.
Indeed your light is to the senses little in size, but great in its
strength, and great too in weight of learned judgement. Well done!
Writers live again by your labour; readers see anew through your
commentary.’