The Works of Ben Jonson; with Notes Critical and Explanatory, and Biographical Memoir Volume 3

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1816 edition. Excerpt: ... shapes, act Ovid's tales, Thou, like Europa now, and I like Jove, Then I like Mars, and thou like Erycine: S0, of the rest, till we have quite run through, And wearied all the fables of the gods. Then will I have thee in more modern forms, Attired like some sprightly dame of France, for what particular quality the milk of unicorns is celebrated, the animal being confined to the terra incognita of Africa, where few can go to suck it. Pliny, indeed, observes that " the milk of camels is extremely sweet;" and this may have been in Jonson's mind: ---but his knowledge was so universal, that it is very hazardous, at least in one so little read as myself, to decide upon his authorities. The sweetness of the pauther's breath, or, rather, body, is sufliciently notorious. It is remarked by Pliny, Lib. xxi c. 7. " Animalium nullum odoratum nisi de pantheris quad dictum est, credimus." Elian also mentions it; but the passage which our author had in view was probably the following: Ex 11: re;/.wr'aq aura suwdix rs; sifeww oi u, u.0e1'nm ill' is we aMa wan Sn.-yo, ..m 1'01. syyvg am we qroggwszv EWIEBUIV pavrq: um PIIOIITO!-I. Eustat.Commenl. in Hexaemeron, 4to. p.38. Frequent allusions to this circumstance occur in our old poets. Thus Shirley: --------------" Your Grace is bound " To hunt this spotted panther to his ruin, ' " Whose breath is only sweet to poison virtue." The Royal Master. And Glapthorne, ----------------" the panther 50, " Breathes odours precious as the fragrant gums " Of eastern groves; but the delicious scent, " Not taken in at distance, chokes the sense " With the too muskie savour." The Hollander. And Randolph, in some...