ON POET-APE

by: Ben Jonson (1572-1637)

OOR Poet-Ape, that would be thought our chief,

Whose works are e'en the frippery of wit,

From brokage is become so bold a thief,

As we, the robbed, leave rage, and pity it.

At first he made low shifts, would pick and glean,

But the reversion of old plays; now grown

To a little wealth and credit in our scene,

He takes up all, makes each man's wit his own.

And told of this, he slights it. Tut, such crimes

The sluggish, gaping auditor devours;

He marks not whose 'twas first, and after-times

May judge it to be his as well as ours.

Fool, as if half-eyes will not know a fleece

From locks of wool, or shreds from the whole piece!

• Ben Jonson - A biography and list of related links.
• Ben Jonson - A biography, plus links to purchase his plays.
• Ben Jonson - A biography and list of related links.
• Ben Jonson: Bibliography - A bibliography of the works of Ben Jonson; includes a list of critical and biographical resources.
• Ben Jonson: Monologues - An index of monologues.
• Purchase books by Ben Jonson