One of the most famous encounters in literary history was that between the eminent playwright Ben Jonson and the reclusive Scottish poet William Drummond. The overweight, over-opinionated Jonson set out to walk to Scotland from London in the summer of 1618 and probably reached Hawthornden Castle, where Drummond lived, around Christmas. The reason for his gruelling trip is uncertain, although some suggest he was asked to make the journey by the King, who had perhaps commissioned him to write an account of Scotland. He spent some days with Drummond, who kept notes of their conversations. Offering his trenchant views on the great writers of their day, Jonson proved himself great company, if disconcertingly critical. Even his young host was not spared: ‘He said to me, that I was too good and simple, and that oft a mans modestie made a fool of his witt,’ wrote Drummond, uncomplainingly.
Certain informations and maners of Ben Johnsons to W. Drumond
1. That he had ane intention to perfect ane Epick poeme intitled Heroologia, of the Worthies of his Country, rowsed by Fame, and was to dedicate it to his Country, it is all in Couplets, for he detesteth all other Rimes …
2. He recommended to my reading Quintilian (who (he said) would tell me the faults of my Verses as if he had lived with me) and Horace, Plinius 2dus Epistles, Tacitus, Juvenall, Martiall; whose Epigrame Vitae quae faciunt beatiorem etc. he heth translated.
3. His Censure of the English poets was this, that Sidney could not keep a Decorum in making every one speak as well as himself.
Spencers stanzas pleased him not, nor his matter, the meaning of which Allegorie he had delivered in papers to Sir Walter Raughlie …
That Dones Anniversarie was profane and full of Blasphemies: that he told Mr Donne, if it had been written of the Virgin Marie it had been something; to which he answered, that he described / the Idea of a Woman, and not as she was.
That Done, for not keeping of accent, deserved hanging.
That next himself only Fletcher and Chapman could make a Mask.
That Shakespear wanted Arte …
6. His censure of my verses was that they were all good, especiallie my Epitaph of the Prince, save that they smelled too much of the Schooles, and were not after the fancie of the tyme; for a child sayes he may writte after the fashion of the Greeks and Latine verses in running; yet that he wished, to please the King, that piece of Forth Feasting had been his owne.
7. He esteemeth John Done the first poet in the World, in some things: his verses of the Lost Chaine he heth by heart; and that passage of the Calme, That dust and feathers doe not stirr, all was so quiet. Affirmeth Done to have written all his best pieces ere he was 25 years old.