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To my deare friend, M. BEN: IONSON. Vpon his Foxe.
IF it might stand with iustice, to allow The swift conuersion of all follies; now, Such is my mercy, that I could admit All sorts should equally approue the wit Of this thy euen worke: whose growing fame Shall raise thee high, and thou it, with thy name▪ And did not manners, and my loue command Me to forbeare to make those vnderstand, Whom thou, perhaps, hast in thy wiser doome Long since, firmely resolu'd, shall neuer come To know more then they doe; I would haue showne To all the world, the art, which thou alone Hast taught our tongue, the rules of time of place, And other rites, deliuer'd, with the grace Of comick stile, which only, is farre more, Then any English stage hath knowne before. But, since our subtle gallants thinke it good To like of nought, that may be vnderstood, Lest they should be disprou'd; or haue, at best, Stomacks so raw, that nothing can digest But what's obscene, or barkes: Let vs desire They may continue, simply, to admire Fine clothes, and strange words; & may liue, in age, To see themselues ill brought vpon the stage, And like it. Whilst thy bold, and knowing Muse Contenes al praise, but such as thou wouldst chuseFRANC. BEAVMONT.