But that which Valerius Maximus hath left
recorded of Euripides, the tragic poet, his answer to Alcestis, another
poet, is as
memorable
as modest; who, when it was told to Alcestis that
Euripides had in three days brought forth but three verses, and those
with some difficulty and throes, Alcestis, glorying he could with ease
have sent forth a hundred in the space, Euripides roundly replied, "Like
enough; but here is the difference: thy verses will not last these three
days, mine will to all time.
Ben Jonson - Discoveries Made Upon Men, and Some Poems
2. _Exercitatio_.--_Virgil_.--_Scaliger_.--_Valer.
Maximus_.--_Euripides_.--_Alcestis_.--If his wit will not arrive suddenly at
the dignity of the ancients, let him not yet fall out with it, quarrel,
or be over hastily angry; offer to turn it away from study in a humour,
but come to it again upon better cogitation; try another time with
labour. If then it succeed not, cast not away the quills yet, nor
scratch the wainscot, beat not the poor desk, but bring all to the forge
and file again; torn it anew. There is no statute law of the kingdom
bids you be a poet against your will or the first quarter; if it comes in
a year or two, it is well. The common rhymers pour forth verses, such as
they are, _ex tempore_; but there never comes from them one sense worth
the life of a day. A rhymer and a poet are two things. It is said of
the incomparable Virgil that he brought forth his verses like a bear, and
after formed them with licking. Scaliger the father writes it of him,
that he made a quantity of verses in the morning, which afore night he
reduced to a less number.
But that which Valerius Maximus hath left
recorded of Euripides, the tragic poet, his answer to Alcestis, another
poet, is as
memorable
as modest; who, when it was told to Alcestis that
Euripides had in three days brought forth but three verses, and those
with some difficulty and throes, Alcestis, glorying he could with ease
have sent forth a hundred in the space, Euripides roundly replied, "Like
enough; but here is the difference: thy verses will not last these three
days, mine will to all time.
" Which was as much as to tell him he could
not write a verse. I have met many of these rattles that made a noise
and buzzed. They had their hum, and no more. Indeed, things wrote with
labour deserve to be so read, and will last their age.
3.
_Imitatio_.--_Horatius_.--_Virgil_.--_Statius_.--_Homer_.--_Horat_.--_Archil_.--
_Alcaeus_, &c.--The third requisite in our poet or maker is imitation, to
be able to convert the substance or riches of another poet to his own
use. To make choice of one excellent man above the rest, and so to
follow him till he grow very he, or so like him as the copy may be
mistaken for the principal.
