ABSTRACT
Jonson claims a disingenuous intention to please his audience with this play. Despite the fact that he wrote it for the boy-actors to perform in a private theatre, its aim, he argues, is not elitist or satirically 'particular': he separates himself from writers who eschew the 'popular' and play up to the snobbery of private theatre patrons; The invitation to enjoy this play is inclusive: he has something for everyone, of whatever class or trade, and like the 'salt' that preserves the cheeks, 'red with laughter', of the Volp spectators, so too the leftovers from this feast of comedy will nourish the audience with entertainment for a week afterwards.
