I20 BIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES degree of Master of Arts was conferred on him in July. In October, 162 1, the king, who seems to have been unusually pleased with the "Gipsies Metamorphosed," in which he himself, with Prince Charles and Buckingham, took part, bestowed on Ben the reversion of the office of Master of the Revels. The letters patent grant to "our beloved servant Benjamin Jonson, gentleman, the said office, to be held and enjoyed by him and his assigns, during his life, from and after the death of Sir George Buc and Sir John Astley, or as soon as the office shall become vacant by resignation, forfeiture, or sur- render." He received no benefit from this grant, as Sir John Astley survived him ; but when in his last illness he felt himself incapable of fulfilling the duties of the office should it devolve on him, was allowed by Charles to transfer the patent to his son, who, however, died before himself, in 1635. Gifford quotes from a letter of the celebrated Joseph Mead, of C. Col., Cambridge, to Sir Martin Stuteville : " A friend told me this Faire time (Stourbridge) that Ben Jonson was not knighted, but scaped it narrowly, for that his Majestie would have done it, had there not been means made (himself not unwilling) to avoyd it. Sep 15, 1821." Probably about 1623 occurred the fire recorded in his "Execration upon Vulcan" ("Underwoods," Ixii.), beginning — " And why to me this ? thou lame Lord of Fire ! What had I done that might call on thine ire ? Or urge thy greedy flame thus to devour So many my years' labour in an hour ?
