On the Portrait of Shakespeare

By Ben Jonson (1572–1637)

Born at Stratford-on-Avon, April 23, 1564. Died there April 23, 1616.

THE FIGURE that thou here seest put,

It was for gentle SHAKESPEARE cut,

Wherein the graver had a strife

With nature, to out-do the life:

O could he have but drawn his wit

As well in brass, as he has hit

His face; the print would then surpass

All that was ever writ in brass:

But since he cannot, reader, look

Not on his picture, but his book.