Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
England: Vols. I–IV. 1876–79. | | | | London Taverns | | The Mermaid | | Francis Beaumont (1586–1616) |
| | (From Mr. Francis Beaumont’s Letter to Ben Jonson)
WHAT things have we seen | |
| Done at the Mermaid! heard words that have been | |
| So nimble, and so full of subtle flame, | |
| As if that every one from whence they came | |
| Had meant to put his whole wit in a jest, | 5 |
| And had resolved to live a fool the rest | |
| Of his dull life; that when there hath been thrown | |
| Wit able enough to justify the town | |
| For three days past,—wit that might warrant be | |
| For the whole city to talk foolishly | 10 |
| Till that were cancelled; and when that was gone, | |
| We left an air behind us, which alone | |
| Was able to make the two next companies | |
| (Right witty, though but downright fools) more wise. | | | | |
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