For that is first required, a man be his own:
But he that's too much that, is friend of none.
Then rest, and a friend's value understand;
It is a richer purchase than of land.

AN EPIGRAM ON SIR EDWARD COKE,

WHEN HE WAS LORD CHIEF-JUSTICE OF ENGLAND.

He that should search all glories of the gown,
And steps of all raised servants of the crown,
He could not find than thee, of all that store,
Whom fortune aided less, or virtue more.
Such, Coke, were thy beginnings, when thy good
In others' evil best was understood;

When, being the stranger's help, the poor man's

aid,

Thy just defences made th' oppressor afraid.
Such was thy process, when integrity,
And skill in thee now grew authority,
That clients strove, in question of the laws,
More for thy patronage, than for their cause;
And that thy strong and manly eloquence
Stood up thy nation's fame, her crown's defence;
And now such is thy stand, while thou dost deal
Desirèd justice to the public weal,

Like Solon's self, explat'st 74 the knotty laws

74 All our old writers use pleat, plight, for wreathe, curl, fold, &c., from plico; expleat is as correctly formed from explico, to open, smooth, display, &c. Explation, a kindred word, is in Cole, and displeat and unpleat are sufficiently common in our old poets. Explica frontem is rendered by Jo. Davies, in his eclogue, 1620, "unpleat thy brow." — G.

With endless labors, whilst thy learning draws
No less of praise, than readers, in all kinds
Of worthiest knowledge, that can take men's
minds.

Such is thy all, that, as I sung before,

None fortune aided less, or virtue more.

Or if chance must to each man that doth rise Needs lend an aid, to thine she had her eyes.

AN EPISTLE, ANSWERING TO ONE THAT ASKED
TO BE SEALED OF THE TRIBE OF BEN.75

Men that are safe and sure in all they do,
Care not what trials they are put unto;
They meet the fire, the test, as martyrs would,
And though opinion stamp them not, are gold.
I could say more of such, but that I fly
To speak myself out too ambitiously,
And showing so weak an act to vulgar eyes,
Put conscience and my right to compromise.
Let those that merely talk, and never think,
That live in the wild anarchy of drink,
Subject to quarrel only; or else such

75 Jonson had many "adopted sons -young men in whose success he felt an interest, and whose talents he encouraged. The following list is, probably, complete: Bishop Morley, Lord Falkland, Richard Brome, William Cartwright, Robert Herrick, Joseph Rutter, Thomas Randolph, Sir Henry Morrison, Shakerley Marmion, James Howell, Sir Kenelm Digby, and Sir John Suckling. These persons constituted that band of youthful associates which Jonson here pleasantly designates "the tribe of Ben." The epistle is addressed to some new candidate for filiation. — B.

As make it their proficiency, how much
They've glutted in, and lechered out that week,
That never yet did friend or friendship seek,
But for a sealing: 76 let these men protest.
Or th' other on their borders, that will jest
On all souls that are absent,

even the dead,

Like flies, or worms, which man's corrupt parts

fed;

That to speak well, think it above all sin,

Of any company but that they are in;
Called every night to supper in these fits
And are received for the covey of wits;
That censure all the town, and all th' affairs,
And know whose ignorance is more than theirs:
Let these men have their ways, and take their
times

To vent their libels, and to issue rhymes;

I have no portion in them, nor their deal
Of news they get, to strew out the long meal;"
I study other friendships, and more one,
Than these can ever be; or else wish none.

What is't to me whether the French design Be, or be not, to get the Valteline?

Or the States' ships sent forth belike to meet Some hopes of Spain in their West-Indian fleet? Whether the dispensation yet be sent,

Or that the match from Spain was ever meant? 78

76 That is, becoming sureties for them, joining them in their bonds.

G.

77 See Epigram cxv., ante, p. 68.

78 These allusions to the breaking off the match between

I wish all well, and pray high heaven conspire
My prince's safety, and my king's desire.

But if for honor we must draw the sword,
And force back that, which will not be restored,
I have a body yet that spirit draws,

To live, or fall a carcass, in the cause.

So far without inquiry what the States, Brunsfield, and Mansfield, do this year, my fates

Shall carry me at call; and I'll be well,

Though I do neither hear these news, nor tell Of Spain or France; or were not pricked down

one

Of the late mystery of reception;

Although my fame to his not under-hears,
That guides the motions, and directs the bears.
But that's a blow, by which in time I may
Lose all my credit with my Christmas clay,
And animated porcelain of the court;
Ay, and for this neglect, the coarser sort
Of earthen jars there may molest me too:
Well, with mine own frail pitcher, what to do
I have decreed; keep it from waves and press,
Lest it be justled, cracked, made naught, or less.
Live to that point I will, for which I am man,
And dwell as in my centre, as I can,
Still looking to, and ever loving heaven;
With reverence using all the gifts thence given;

Prince Charles and the Infanta of Spain indicate the date of the epistle. - B.

'Mongst which, if I have any friendships sent,
Such as are square, well-tagged, and permanent,
Not built with canvas, paper, and false lights,
As are the glorious scenes at the great sights;
And that there be no fevery heats nor colds,
Oily expansions, or shrunk dirty folds,
But all so clear, and led by reason's flame,
As but to stumble in her sight were shame;
These I will honor, love, embrace, and serve,
And free it from all question to preserve.
So short you read my character, and theirs
I would call mine, to which not many stairs
Are asked to climb. First give me faith, who
know

Myself a little. I will take you so,

As you have writ yourself. Now stand, and

then,

Sir, you are sealed of the Tribe of Ben.

THE DEDICATION OF THE KING'S NEW CELLAR

TO BACCHUS.

Since, Bacchus, thou art father

Of wines, to thee the rather

We dedicate this Cellar,

Where new thou art made dweller,

And seal thee thy commission:

But 'tis with a condition,

That thou reinain here taster

79 Built by Inigo Jones.

79