In his time Jonson was at least as influential as Donne. In 1623, historian Edmund Bolton named him the best and most polished English poet. That this judgment was widely shared is indicated by the admitted influence he had on younger poets. The grounds for describing Jonson as the "father" of cavalier poets are clear: many of the cavalier poets described themselves as his "sons" or his "tribe". For some of this tribe, the connection was as much social as poetic; Herrick described meetings at "the Sun, the Dog, the Triple Tunne". All of them, including those like Herrick whose accomplishments in verse are generally regarded as superior to Jonson's, took inspiration from Jonson's revival of classical forms and themes, his subtle melodies, and his disciplined use of wit. In these respects, Jonson may be regarded as among the most important figures in the prehistory of English neoclassicism. Popular Culture - His "Queen and Huntress" was used, in slightly amended form, by Mike Oldfield on side 4 of his multi Album set, Incantations.The lyrics can be found on his website, confirming its the same poem.
iN HiS timE jonsoN was at leasT aS InFluentiaL as dONnE. in 1623, hIstoriAN edMUnD bolToN NAmEd hIm The Best and MosT polished English pOeT. That ThiS judgMeNT WaS widEly sHarEd iS iNDicated By thE admitted influeNcE he had ON YOUnger poEts. the gRoundS foR DesCRIBinG joNson As The "FaTher" of cavalier pOETs are clEar: many OF thE cavaliEr POeTs descrIbed TheMsElves aS hIs "sonS" Or His "tribe". FoR soMe of thiS tribe, ThE coNNecTIoN was as mucH sOcial as PoeTIc; herrick deSCribed meetings At "tHe sun, the Dog tHe trIpLE TUnNE". alL Of thEm, incLuDinG ThOse LiKe herRIck WhOse accoMPlIshmeNTS In VerSE ARe GenerallY rEgarded aS suPeRior to jonSon's took INspirAtIOn frOm jonSon's reVival Of cLasSicAl formS anD ThEmes, His subTlE meLoDIEs, And hIs disciPlineD use of Wit. iN these rEspecTs, jOnson MaY bE reGarDed AS amonG the MOst imPortaNt FIgUrEs in tHe preHisTOry of ENglISh NeocLasSiCiSM. poPulAR cuLtuRe - His "queen anD huNtresS" was USed, in slightly amEnded form, by MIke oldfIeld oN SidE 4 OF His mulTi aLbum seT, incAntaTions.the lyrics cAN be Found oN His weBsite, coNfIrmINg Its ThE SamE poem