“The ports are open.”  He perpetually uses ports for gates; which is an affected error in him, to introduce Latin by the loss of the English idiom; as, in the translation of Tully’s speeches, he usually does.

Well-placing of words, for the sweetness of pronunciation was not known till Mr Waller introduced it; and, therefore, it is not to be wondered if Ben Jonson has many such lines as these: 

“But being bred up in his father’s needy fortunes; brought up in’s sister’s prostitution,” &c.

But meanness of expression one would think not to be his error in a tragedy, which ought to be more high and sounding than any other kind of poetry; and yet, amongst others in “Catiline,” I find these four lines together: 

  So Asia, thou art cruelly even
  With us, for all the blows thee given;
  When we, whose virtues conquered thee,
  Thus by thy vices ruined be.

Be there is false English for are; though the rhyme hides it.

But I am willing to close the book, partly out of veneration to the author, partly out of weariness to pursue an argument which is so fruitful in so small a compass.  And what correctness, after this, can be expected from Shakespeare or from Fletcher, who wanted that learning and care which Jonson had?  I will, therefore, spare my own trouble of enquiring into their faults; who, had they lived now, had doubtless written more correctly.  I suppose it will be enough for me to affirm, (as I think I safely may) that these, and the like errors, which I taxed in the most correct of the last age, are such into which we do not ordinarily fall.  I think few of our present writers would have left behind them such a line as this: 

  Contain your spirit in more stricter bounds.

But that gross way of two comparatives was then ordinary; and, therefore, more pardonable in Jonson.

As for the other part of refining, which consists in receiving new words and phrases, I shall not insist much on it.  It is obvious that we have admitted many, some of which we wanted, and therefore our language is the richer for them, as it would be by importation of bullion:  Others are rather ornamental than necessary; yet, by their admission, the language is become more courtly, and our thoughts are better drest.  These are to be found scattered in the writers of our age, and it is not my business to collect them.  They, who have lately written with most care, have, I believe, taken the rule of Horace for their guide; that is, not to be too hasty in receiving of words, but rather stay till custom has made them familiar to us: 

  Quern penes arbitrium est, et jus, et norma loquendi.