Shakespeare of Stratford/The Biographical Facts/Fact 53
LIII. SHAKESPEARE PRAISED AS A COMPANION FOR A KING (ca. 1611).
Epigram by John Davies of Hereford in The Scourge of Folly.
To our English Terence, Mr. Will. Shake-speare.
Some say (good Will)—which I in sport do sing—
Had’st thou not played some kingly parts in sport,
Thou hadst been a companion for a king,
And been a king among the meaner sort.
Some others rail; but, rail as they think fit,
Thou hast no railing but a reigning wit;
And honesty thou sow’st, which they do reap,
So to increase their stock which they do keep.
Had’st thou not played some kingly parts in sport,
Thou hadst been a companion for a king,
And been a king among the meaner sort.
Some others rail; but, rail as they think fit,
Thou hast no railing but a reigning wit;
And honesty thou sow’st, which they do reap,
So to increase their stock which they do keep.