Ben Jonson, On My First Son

BEN JONSON

[1572–1637]

On My First Son

Born in London, Ben Jonson (1572–1637) was the stepson of a bricklayer (his father died before he was born). He attended Westminster School and then joined the army. Jonson later worked as an actor and was the author of such comedies as Every Man in His Humour (in which Shakespeare acted the lead), Volpone, and The Alchemist. He wrote clear, elegant, “classical” poetry that contrasted with the intricate, subtle, “metaphysical” poetry of his contemporaries John Donne and George Herbert. He was named poet laureate and was the idol of a generation of English writers, who dubbed themselves the Sons of Ben.

Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy;

My sin was too much hope of thee, loved boy:

Seven years thou wert lent to me, and I thee pay,

Exacted by thy fate, on the just day.

O could I lose all father now! for why

Will man lament the state he should envy,

To have so soon ’scaped world’s and flesh’s rage,

And, if no other misery, yet age?

Rest in soft peace, and asked, say, “Here doth lie

Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry.’’

For whose sake henceforth all his vows be such

As what he loves may never like too much.