We are
not the first in making this assertion. (See _Sonnets of Shakspere
Solved_, by Henry Brown: London, 1876, p. 16.)
In Epicoene a College is described, which is stated to be
composed of women. Instead of women, we may boldly assume men to
be meant. Truewitt thus describes the new Society:--
'A new foundation, Sir, here in the town, of ladies, that call
themselves the Collegiates: an order between courtiers and country
madams that live from their husbands, and give entertainment to all
the wits and braveries of the time, as they call them: cry down, or up,
what they like or dislike in a brain or a fashion, with most masculine
or rather hermaphroditical authority; and every day gain to their
College some new probationer.
_Clerimont_. Who is the president?
_Truewitt_. The grave and youthful matron, the Lady Haughty.'
Shakspere at that time was in the 'matronly' age of forty-five.
We have seen how a 'dislike in a brain' has been expressed in _Hamlet_.
13: The name of Ovid, likewise used in that eulogy, Jonson assigned,
in his _Poetaster_, to Marston. (See _note_ 22 at end of
Section V.)
14: It would have been most strange, indeed, if the two greatest
geniuses of their time had not exercised some influence on each
other; if the greatest thinker of that age had not given some
suggestive thoughts to the poet; and if the poet had not animated
the thinker to the cultivation of art, inducing him to offer his
philosophical thoughts in beautiful garment.
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