His adoption of classical ideals was combined with a vigorous interest in contemporary life and a strong faith in native idiom. Within the urban elegance of his he contrived a directness, and energy of statement clearly related to colloquial speech, and this characteristic fusion of restraint and vitality gave to the seventeenth century lyric its most distinctive quality. As well as the entire body of Jonson's non dramatic verse, extensively annotated, this edition contains many songs from his plays and masques and his translation of 'Horace, of the Art of Poetry'. His 'Conversations with Drummond', which adds much to our sense of th eman, appears as an Appendix, as does 'Discoveries'; together they shed light on Jonson's poetic theory and practice.
