Merrie England in the olden time / by George Daniel.

  • George Daniel
Date:
1881
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Merrie England in the olden time / by George Daniel. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    for one on the morrow; and, anticipating a good day’s sport, we consented to accompany him. Supper was announced, and we sat down to that social meal. In a day-dream of fancy. Uncle Timothy re-peopled the once convivial chambers of the Falcon and the Mermaid, with those glorious intelligences that made the reigns of Elizabeth and James I. the Augustan age of England. We listened to the wisdom, and the wit, and the loud laugh, as Shakspeare and “ rare Ben,”* * in the full confidence of friend- Shame to thee, Britain, if ever he roam. To seek with the stranger a friend and a home ! Fate in his cup ev’ry blessing infuse, Cherish his fortune, and smile on his muse ; Warm be his hearth, and prosperity cheer Those he is dear to, and those he holds dear. Blythe be his autumn as summer hath beer •.— Frosty, but kindly, and sweetly serene Green be his winter, with snow on his brow ; Green as the wreath that encircles it now ! To dear Paddy Knowles, then, a bumper we fill. And toast his good health as he trots down the hill ; In genius he’s left all behind him by goles ! But he wont leave behind him another Pat Knowles ! * “ Shakspeare was god-father to one of Ben Jonson’s children, and after the christ’ning, being in a deepe study, Jonson came tocheere him up, and ask’t him why he was so melancholy? ‘No, faith, Ben (says he), not I, but I have been considering a great while what should he the fittest gift for me to bestow upon my god-child, and I have resolved at last.’—‘ I pr’y thee, what ?’ says he—‘ I’ faith, Ben, I’le e’en give him a douzen good Lattin spoones, and thou shalt translate them.’ ”— I'Estrange, No. n. Mr. Dun.—Latten was a name formerly used to signify a mixed metal resembling brass. Hence Shakspeare’s appropriate pun, with reference to the learning of Ben Jonson. Many good jests are told of “rare Ben.” When he went to Basing- stoke, he used to put up his horse at the “Angel,” which was kept by Ml'S. Hope, and her daughter. Prudence. Journeying there one day.
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