Note 22 — INTRODUCTORY

See Jonson’s censure of Poetry in his day, for being “a meane Mistresse to such as have wholly addicted themselves to her; or given their names up to her family. They who have but saluted her on the by ... she hath done much for, and advanced in the way of their own professions, both the Law and the Gospel, beyond all they could have hoped without her favour.” This means, I take it, that Jonson had in his eye Bacon and others as striking examples of Poetry’s generosity, and himself a shining illustration of her meanness. As for the prosperous burgher of Stratford, he was not in the picture, for Jonson was treating of poets. [Original Note.]