suits-of-woe:

the virgin ben jonson (complained about theatre being too fun and immoral, scared of his work being read as controversial, thought all poetry had to teach you how to be a good person) vs the chad kit marlowe (controversial king who had his ovid translation burned for being too offensive, probably gay and an atheist, arrested for sexy blasphemy crimes)

Venetian Song (from Volpone) By Ben Jonson

COME, my Celia, let us prove,
While we can, the sports of love.
Time will not be ours for ever;
He, at length, our good will sever;
Spend not then his gifts in vain:        5
Suns that set may rise again;
But if once we lose this light,
’Tis with us perpetual night.
Why should we defer our joys?
Fame and rumour are but toys.        10
Cannot we delude the eyes
Of a few poor household spies?
Or his easier ears beguile,
Thus removèd by our wile?
’Tis no sin love’s fruits to steal;        15
But the sweet thefts to reveal,
To be taken, to be seen,—
These have crimes accounted been.

“Queen and huntress, chaste and fair” (from “Cynthia’s Revels”) - Ben Jonson (1572-1637)

Queen and huntress, chaste and fair,
Now the sun is laid to sleep,
Seated in thy silver chair
State in wonted manner keep:
Hesperus entreats thy light,
Goddess excellently bright.

Earth, let not thy envious shade
Dare itself to interpose;
Cynthia’s shining orb was made
Heaven to clear when day did close:
Bless us then with wishéd sight,
Goddess excellently bright.

Lay thy bow of pearl apart
And thy crystal-shining quiver;
Give unto the flying hart
Space to breathe, how short soever:
Thou that mak'st a day of night,
Goddess excellently bright.

Diana, Goddess of the Hunt, Leaning Against a Tree, Pietro Antonio Rotari (1707-1762)