PROLOGUE to EPICOENE

The ends of all, who for the scene do write,
Are, or should be, to profit, and delight.
And still’t hath been the praise, at all best times,
So persons are not touched, to tax the crimes.
Then, in this play, which we present tonight,
And make the object of your ear and sight,
On forfeit of yourselves, think nothing true:
Lest so you make the maker to judge you.
For he knows, poet never credit gained,
By writing truths but things (like truth) well feigned.
If any, yet, will (with particular sleight
Of application) wrest what he doth write;
And that he meant or him or her, will say;
They make a libel, which he made a play.

-Ben Jonson

Berklee’s poetry Walk was laid in October 2003 along Edison Street between Shattuck and Milvia Streets. The route includes 128 metal plates with excerpts from songs, each of which is related in one way or another to the city of Berkeley.

In the plaque appears a section from the introduction to the play Epicoene written by the English playwright and poet Ben Jonson (1637-1572) who was especially known for the satirical plays he wrote. The Silent Woman (Epicoene) is one of them that was first shown in 1609.

The connection between the section and Berkeley or California is not clear.