B. J."

Shakespeare's talk in "At the 'Mermaid'" grows out of the supposition,
not touched upon until the very last line that Ben Jonson had been
calling him "Next Poet," a supposition quite justifiable in the light of
Ben's praises of him. The poem also reflects the love and admiration in
which Shakespeare the man was held by all who have left any record of
their impressions of him. As for the portraiture of the poet's attitude
of mind, it is deduced indirectly from his work. That he did not desire
to become "Next Poet" may be argued from the fact that after his first
outburst of poem and sonnet writing in the manner of the poets of the
age, he gave up the career of gentleman-poet to devote himself wholly to
the more independent if not so socially distinguished one of
actor-playwright. "Venus and Adonis" and "Lucrece" were the only poems
of his published under his supervision and the only works with the
dedication to a patron such as it was customary to write at that time.

I have before me as I write the recent Clarendon Press fac-similes of
"Venus and Adonis" and "Lucrece," published respectively in 1593 and
1594,--beautiful little quartos with exquisitely artistic designs in the
title-pages, headpieces and initials; altogether worthy of a poet who
might have designs upon Fame. The dedication to the first reads:--

"TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
Henry Wriothesley, Earle of Southampton
and Baron of Litchfield

_Right Honourable, I know not how I shall offend in dedicating
my unpolisht lines to your Lordship, nor how the worlde will
censure mee for choosing so strong a proppe to support so weake
a burthen, onelye if your Honour seeme but pleased, I account my
selfe highly praised, and vowe to take advantage of all idle
houres, till I have honoured you with some great labour. But if
the first heire of my invention prove deformed, I shall be sorie
it had so noble a god-father: and never after eare so barren a
land, for feare it yield me still so bad a harvest, I leave it
to your Honourable Survey, and your Honor to your hearts
content, which I wish may alwaies answere your owne wish, and
the worlds hopeful expectation._

Your Honors in all dutie
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE."

The second reads:--

"TO THE RIGHT
HONORABLE, HENRY
Wriothesley, Earle of Southampton
and Baron of Litchfield

The love I dedicate to your Lordship is without end: wherof this