Will's poeme--enigma

[MASCARO at humnet.ucla.edu]

Wasn't it that Ben Ionson writ this poeme, not Billy hisself?  BTW, anybody interested in 
the great Snakespeare conspiracy (i.e. Who was Will) might be interested in knowing 
that the famous engraving this poem refers to is, in some circles, considered
 a puzzle, a joke, a cryptic enigma.  The figure seems to be wearing a mask, (preparing to 
attend a TP costume party, perhaps?) one of his arms is backwards, his clothes don't 
match, and other interesting details, including the poem, are seen as evidence that 
*something's* not quite on the up-and-up.  A guy named Oswald, I think, wrote a 
fascinating book (been yrs since I read it) which takes a *Lawyer's* look at the evidence of 
S's *true* identity, and concludes it was Rochester or one of those noble guys, not a poor 
peasant who once sued somebody for 4 pds. and never spelled his name the same way 
twice (and never spelled it *Shakespeare*), left no books in his will etc.  In Oswald's view, 
that Avon Shagsper was a dupe, a beard. Personally, I go for the slob from Avon, but some 
aristocratic types can't accept this on the basis of the amzing erudition, the behind-the- 
scenes court knowledge, and general world-knowledge in the plays themselves.

This guy Oswald's parents were S. scholars in the 30s and were hooted
 out of academia for the theories he purports to prove, so there's this
 very interessting subtext on the story as he tries to avenge his parents'
 humiliation.

the connect to TP is the conspiracy angle--that a cabal of very powerful people
 constructed a hoax that's been unbroken for centuries--hey Andrew, ever seen that bust 
in Stratford where he's resting his arms on a pillow or a cushion?  According to the 
conspiracy theorists, this bust is another coded piece of the puzzle.

john m
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from sojourner:
<snip>
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>	"This figure that thou here feest put,
>	 It was for gentle Shakespeare cut,
>	 Wherein the graver had a strife
>	 with nature to out-doo the life.
>	 O could he but have drawne his wit
>	 As well in braffe as he has hit
>	 His face, the print would then surpaffe
>	 All, that was ever writ in braffe
>	 But, since he cannot, Reader, looke
>	 Not on his picture but his booke."
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>		-Shakespeare
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