University of Virginia Library

To my friend M. Ben: Ionson.

Vpon his Catiline.

If thou had'st itch'd after the wild applause
Of common people, and had'st made thy lawes
In writing, such, as catch'd at present voice,
I should commend the thing, but not thy choise.
But thou hast squar'd thy rules, by what is good;
And art, three ages yet, from vnderstood:
And (I dare say) in it, there lyes much wit
Lost, till thy readers can grow vp to it.
Which they can ne're out-grow, to find it ill,
But must fall backe againe, or like it still.
Franc. Beavmont.