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for searching only. GENESIS OF JONSON'S APHORISM 3
by such standards very few Elizabethan dramatists-perhaps only Jonson and Chapman-could be found satisfactory, even though many of them had university degrees. And by such standards a mere "learned grammarian" as was Shakspere had indeed "small Latine, and lesse Greeke." One of the Greek dramatists might very occasion-ally get into the last years of grammar school, and Seneca appears in grammar school but very seldom before i6oo. Nor is there anything apologetic about Jonson's incidental statement concerning Shakspere's classic attainments. It is made merely by way of further emphasizing Jonson's fundamental statement, which was the strongest of which Jonson could think; that is, if anything it is in highest praise, certainly not in apology. There is no apparent derogation in Jonson's statement when fairly interpreted in its context, and the standard against which Jonson places Shakspere's attainments is the highest of which he had knowledge. The ordinary grammarian was never troubled with any of Jonson's list, and it may be in Jonson's mind that Shakspere had not been so troubled.
For as Jonson turns now to account for Shakspere's excellence, it is the comedians whom he names for comparison. In his earlier list, he had named the tragedians and had referred to the comedians without naming them. Now he uses them in his accounting for Shakspere as the result of great nature and some art. Presumably, therefore, Janson is thinking of these writers of comedy as having contributed to Shakspere's art, and we know that the two Latins Terence and Plautus had done so, though there is no conclusive evidence, I believe, for the Greek Aristophanes. To continue quoting Jonson;
Nature her selfe was proud of his designes,
And ioy'd to weare the dressing of his lines ! Which were so richly spun, and wouen so fit,
As, since, she will vouchsafe no other Wit. The merry Greeke, tart Aristophanes,
Neat Terence, witty Plautus, now not please; But antiquated, and deserted lye
As they were not of Natures family.
Yet must I not giue Nature all; Thy Art,
My gentle Shakespeare, must enioy a part. For though the Poets matter, Nature be,
His Art cloth giue the fashion. And, that he, Who casts to write a liuing Iine, must sweat,
(such as thine are) and strike the second heat Vpon the Muses anuile: turne the same,
(And himselfe with it) that he thinkes to frame;
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