Note 113 — Chapter XXXIX

This author, by many ranked second to Shakspeare, was born 1574, and rising by his own perseverance, and energy of mind, became, in 1619, Poet Laureate. Many of the dramatic pieces of Jonson were masques performed before the King and Court. Jonson, when he was appointed Poet Laureate, made a journey on foot from London to Scotland. When met, it is said, by Drummond of Hawthornden (to whom, amongst other friends, he paid a visit), Drummond said, “Welcome, welcome, royal Ben!” to which Jonson aptly replied, “Thank you! thank you, Hawthornden!” “The Masque of Metamorphosed Gypsies” was presented to King James at “Burleigh,” “Belvoir,” and Windsor. A printed copy we have is dated 1621. Jonson wrote to the last; but, after some years of great literary success, and prosperity, he died, 1637, in needy circumstances, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, the only inscription on the poet’s tomb being “O rare Ben Jonson!”