Masques and Entertainments. By Ben Jenson. Edited by Henry Morley,
LL.D. (Routledge.)—Mr. Saintsbury, in his " History of Elizabethan Literature," doubts whether Ben Jonson has attained anything like his proper place in English literary history, and observes that "his lovely masques are probably unread by all but a few scores, if so many, in each generation." The critic's
doubt with regard to the masques is probably justified, but we cannot agree with him that Jonson has not received his full measure of fame as a dramatist. His works will always be read with curiosity, often with the highest admiration ; but the praise we yield to a great poet is not given without much qualification to his dramas. As we read them, we acknowledge Jonson's mastery in his craft, and feel the force of a strong intellect ; but we feel also, and this Mr. Saintsbury admits, that his genius usually wants charm. This is not true of his songs and minor poems, which live in the memory of most lovers of poetry; but it is true of Ben Jonson's plays, and also, in our judgment, of the masques. Lovely they may have been to see, for the finest art of the age was lavished upon them; but as verse they are more scholarly than beautiful. Professor Morley, how- ever, has been bold enough to publish the masques in a popular form, and if they fail to allure readers, it will not be from any omission on the part of editor and publishers to render the book attractive. The series in which this volume appears has the double merit of being fitted for any library, and adapted also to the purses of students whose wealth is chiefly in their wits.
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