3 19. No man but may. Note the omission of the subject, no unusual practice where the subject cannot be mistaken. See Sh. Gram. § 399. 4 4. Taught by himself. avтodidakтos, foot-note of the folio of 1642. 4 4. Had a fool to his master. See Sh. Gram. § 189. Cf. 13 17, 38 10, 69 26, and 78 17. 49. Emergent. Capable of extricating himself. 4 10. Negotia. Business. 4 12. Our too much haste. Note the order. See Sh. Gram. § 51. Much is used as an adjective after a pronomial adjective. 4 15. Amor patriæ. Love of the fatherland. A literal translation of Euripides, Phænissæ, 358–361, ed. Didot. ἀλλ ̓ ἀναγκαίως ἔχει Πατρίδος ἐρᾶν ἅπαντας· ὃς δ ̓ ἄλλως λέγει, Mr. Swinburne has quoted this beautiful passage, as Jonson translates it, with the prefatory words, "The ring of what follows is pure gold" (A Study of Ben Jonson, p. 131). He has also suggested an emendation in the insertion of the word "not" before the final word; i.e. "his heart is [not] there." It will be noticed that the emendation is unnecessary, in view of the original. Cf. a later passage of Mr. Swinburne's (p. 179), in which he falls afoul of Jonson for the statement that Euripides "is sometimes peccant, as he is most truly perfect." Mr. Swinburne's words are: "The perfection of such shapeless and soulless abortions as the Phænissa and the Hercules Furens is about as demonstrable as the lack of art which Ben Jonson regretted and condemned in the author of Hamlet and Othello." It may well be doubted if Mr. Swinburne has even been convicted of praising Euripides before. 4 15. There is a necessity all men should love, etc. Note the omission of the relative. Cf. 7 14, 18 11, 19 29, 19 33, 20 6, 23 25, 24 6, 34 19, 37 23, etc.; and see Sh. Gram. § 244. 4 21. Applausus. Praise. A literal translation from Paterculus, Hist. Rom. 2. 92: Audita visis laudamus libentius, etc. (Whalley). 4 24. 4 25. Overlaid. Burdened, oppressed. Opinio. Opinion; in modern English, reputation. See 6 3, 25 27; and cf. 1 Hen. IV. 5. 4. 48; and Othello, 2. 3. 195. 4 32. Impostura. Imposture. 54. Factura vita. A waste or casting away of life. 59. Puritanus hypocrita est, etc. A Puritan is a heretical hypocrite, whom conceit in his own perspicacity has disturbed in the balance of his mind, by which he flatters himself that he, together with a few others, has detected certain errors in the dogmas of the Church, whence, driven by a sacred fury, he madly fights against civil authority in the belief that thus he is rendering obedience to God. 5 15. Mutua auxilia. Mutual assistance. Translated by Jonson, consociation, intimate fellowship, a word since superseded by association. Cf. Jeremy Taylor, Works, ed. 1835, I. p. 220: “To fight a duel . . a consociation of many of the worst acts." is . 5 18. 5 25. And whom his favor breeds. Cf. 14 6. Cognit[io] universi. Jonson's translation is "the knowledge of all nature"; i.e. of the whole world. 61. Consiliarii adjunct[i], probitas, sapientia. The joint counsellors, honesty and wisdom. Cf. Ben Jonson's Conversations with Drummond (Sh. Soc. Pub. p. 37): "Of all styles he loved most to be named Honest, and hath of that ane hundreth letters so naming him." 68. Cozenage. Cajolery. The folio reads coosinage. Cf. 47 2. 6 11. Obsequentia, humanitas, solicitudo. Complaisance, civility or kindliness, care or circumspection. Marginal notes in the folio. 6 19. Dat nox consilium. Night gives counsel. Cf. Bacon, Essays, 20, of Counsel: In nocte consilium; and Reynold's note thereon in his ed. of the Essays (Macmillan, 1891, p. 151), where are references to the Greek original, 'Ev vUKT Bovλh; Gaisford, Paræmiographi Græci, etc. See also a note of Erasmus on this head: Adagia, sub titulo, In nocte consilium, 2. 2. 43; and finally the French proverb, “ La nuit porte conseil." 66 6 20. Extemporal. Unpremeditated. Cf. "Some extemporal god of rime," LLL. 1. 2. 189. 6 26. Modestia, parrhasia. Marginal note in the folio. Parrhasia is ingenuousness, openness of speech. 6 28. Empire. Governing influence; here almost show of power. Cf. The Magnetic Lady, 3. 4. 6 34. Absit, o rex, etc. Plutarch, de Alex. s. virt. s. fort. (Oratio, 2. 1): "Far be it from thee, O king, to know these things better than I." Bacon includes this anecdote among his Apothegms, 254. It will be noticed that Jonson inaccurately refers the story to Alexander in place of his father, Philip. The reference of the folio, in vita Alex., is also incorrect. 71. Perspicuitas, elegantia. Clearness, grace. 73. Discipline. Learning. 76. Braky. Abounding in brambles. 79. Natura non effœta. Translated in the text. 7 14. Non nimium credendum, etc. Freely: Set not too much store on antiquity. Cf. Jonson's opinion of the authority of Aristotle, 66 16-24. 7 14. Nothing can conduce. Cf. 4 17, 18 11, 20 6, 23 25, 24 6, 34 19, 37 23. 7 24. Non domini nostri, etc. They were not our lords, but our leaders. 7 26. 7 26. 7 27. Several. Separate possession. Cf. 73 18. Multum ex illa, etc. Much of it yet remains for those who shall be hereafter. The folio reads relicta for relictum, which Mr. Swinburne corrects. 7 28. Dissentire licet; sed cum ratione. Dissent if you will, but with reason. Look up to, in modern English. At once. Cf. 18 27, 73 3, 83 7; Othello, 5. 2. 52: Desdemona. Yes, but not yet to die. Othello. O yes, presently; and North's Plutarch, 1016 e: “Setting forth to the reader, not as a battle already fought, but presently a-fighting." 7 35. covered. 84. Nulla ars simul, etc. No art is completed as soon as dis Evict. Mr. Swinburne explains: "In modern English - if the text is not corrupt- — as the comparison or confutation of theirs with mine shall elicit" (A Study of Ben Jonson, p. 133). Evict in the sense evince, prove, is, however, not unusual. Cf. "The main question is evicted” (Jeremy Taylor, Works, ed. 1835, II. p. 156). 84. Fautor. A favorer, patron, or abettor. Cf. “The pope who is the fautor or rather the padrone of all the saints" (Scott's Discoverie of Witchcraft, reprint of ed. of 1584, p. 443). 87. It profits not me. Note the order, and cf. 36 1, 47 18. 89. Non mihi cedendum, etc. Not that submission is due to me, but to truth. 8 11. Scientiæ liberales, etc. Translated in the text. 8 22. Wits. Mental powers. Jonson uses the word in the plural, 10 14, 16 5, 23 33, 24 8; in the singular, 30 23 and 54 11; and in its modern sense, 68 11. 8 22. 8 23. Caract. Carat, the usual Elizabethan form of the word. Cf. Every Man in his Humor, 3. 2. 8 27. Honesta ambitio. 8 29. 8 31. Honorable ambition. Worthy of love. The folio reads leave for love. Maritus improbus. A shameless husband. 8 31. Delicate. Choice, agreeable. Cf. 44 22. 91. Afflictio pia magistra. Freely, but sufficiently translated in the text. 93. Deploratis facilis descensus Averni. To the lost, easy is the descent into hell. An adaptation of Virgil's well-known words: “facilis descensus Averno" (Æneid, 6. 126). 98. Ægidius cursu superat. Ægidius wins in the race, or excels at running. Ægidius was a Roman commander in Gaul under Majorian (457-461 A.D.). He is described by Gibbon (Decline and Fall, chap. 36) as one "who equalled or at least imitated the heroes of ancient Rome." The allusion of the text is not clear. 99. Footman. A runner attending a person of rank, to go before and assist on bad roads or in crossing streams (Halliwell). 9 10. thrift. Prodigo nummi nauci. Money is worthless to a spend 9 13. Munda et sordida. Bedizened but filthy. Cf. the proverb: The more women look in their glasses, the less they look to their houses (Ray's English Proverbs, p. 34, and Outlandish Proverbs, No. 250, London, 1640). 9 18. Latro sesquipedalis. A thief and a half. Cf. Horace, Ars Poetica, 9.7: Sesquipedalia verba, foot and a half foot words. 9 18. The thief that had a longing. The folio gives the marginal note, "with a great belly"; i.e. with a great appetite. Cf. a similar and more common use of the word "stomach" in the same sense. Bettris, sent to invite Benedick to supper, plays upon the word "stomach," appetite or courage (Much Ado, 2. 3. 265). 9.20. Like the German lord. The folio gives as marginal note, Com[es] de Schortenhien, which Gifford, on I know not what authority, corrects to Schertenhein; Cunningham reads Schortenhein. 9 22. Herborough or harborough. A place of temporary residence, an inn or lodging. 927. Calumnia fructus. The fruit of calumny. 934. A mere impertinent. The folio has the marginal note impertinens. 10 5. Bellum scribentium. War of writers. Cf. "How do the grammarians hack and slash for the genitive case in Jupiter! How do they break their own pates to salve that of Priscian! ... Yea, even among wiser militants, how many wounds have been given, and credits slain, for the poor victory of an opinion or the beggarly conquest of a distinction! Scholars are men of peace; they bear no arms, but their tongues are sharper than Actius, his razor; their pens carry farther, and give louder report than thunder: I had rather stand the shock of a basilisco, than the fury of a merciless pen" (Sir Thomas Brown, Religio Medici, ed. Macmillan, p. 98). 10 11. Sed meliore in omne, etc. But I have enjoyed a mind and disposition in all respects better than my fortune. 10 13. Pingue solum lassat, etc. Rich soil wearies, but labor itself is delightful. 10 14. Differentia inter doctos et sciolos. The difference between the learned and smatterers. 10 14. Wits. Cf. 8 22, 16 5, 54 11, and 68 11. 10 21. Welt. A hem, or border; an edge made by folding cloth over a cord. Still in use in some parts of the United States. 10 23. Impostorum fucus. The pretence of impostors. 10 28. 10 29. cable. 10 31. Icuncularum motio. Puppet play. And the gestures become despi Princes and their ministers. Principes et administri. 11 4. Finis expectandus, etc. Freely: We should await the outcome of the career of each man, for man is a being most subject to change. Possibly in allusion to the well-known story of Solon's reply to Croesus, that no man can be considered happy until his death. See Herodotus, Clio, 30 et seqq. 11 7. Scitum Hispanicum. A Spanish maxim. 11 7. 11 8. A quick; i.e. a current saying. Artes inter hæredes non dividi. A man's accomplishments are not divisible amongst his heirs. 11 14. Non nova res livor. Translated in the words immediately following. Mr. Swinburne considers the next five sections a connected essay on envy and calumny, and adds, "for weight, point, and vigor, it would hardly be possible to overpraise it" (A Study of Ben Jonson, p. 136). 11 17. Quorum odium virtute relicta placet. Whom it gives satis |