ABSTRACT
In the years following the publication of the First Folio, and his rise to the status of poeta regius, Jonson conveys the impression of a man resting on his laurels-justifiably enough, considering how hard he had worked to earn them. There was no new artistic initiative from him during this period from 1619 to 1626; nor was there a continuation of all his 'wonted studies'. Most significantly, there were no plays at all; after the writing of The Devil is an Ass in 1616, Jonson embarked upon one of his periodical retreats from the world of the public theatre. This was to be the longest absence of his professional career-Jonson wrote nothing for the stage for ten years.
